Siem Reap

Siem Reap · Questions

Why do motorbike riders in Siem Reap not know how to turn left?

Why do motorbike riders in Siem Reap not know how to turn left?

Transport 4 answers • nathan
Driving in Cambodia can be a challenge, especially when it comes to motorbike riders who seem to be unaware of the proper procedure for turning left. They often ride on the far side of the road and then suddenly turn left without indicating, putting other drivers at risk. I've seen it happen multiple times, and it's frustrating to see people put themselves and others in harm's way.
Write an Answer

3 Answers · 1 reply

Chloe Lachance •
Rule is that you are responsible not to hit them, you see them, they don’t. It's a cultural thing, I think. In Cambodia, it's more about avoiding hitting someone than following traffic rules. It's not about being right or wrong, it's about being safe.
nathan OP •
Motorbike riders not knowing how to turn left is not just a safety issue, it's also a matter of following traffic regulations. If they get hit, they'll likely blame the car driver.
grace_merc •
I think I understand why motorbike riders might be doing this. It's probably because they feel like stopping and waiting for a break in traffic is too inconvenient or time-consuming. They might see it as more practical to just veer into a break in traffic on the oncoming side, even if it's not the safest thing to do. It's not just a Cambodian thing, though - I've seen cyclists in Paris do the same thing when they don't feel like stopping at a red light.
hyeon44 •
I had a similar experience with a tuk-tuk driver recently. He was making a left turn, but instead of waiting for a break in traffic, he veered into a gap in the oncoming traffic a half block early. It was pretty exciting, to say the least. I'm not sure if it's just a matter of not knowing the rules or if it's a cultural thing, but it's definitely something to be aware of when driving in Siem Reap.

Share Your Answer

Sign in to help the community with your knowledge.

Jouw antwoord

0/10000 tekens

Min. 10 tekens