Driving in Tbilisi

The Georgians say, you should wear that hat, that wear the people of the country you are going to live in. So after 10 years I changed my German driving into a Georgian driving, almost. A typical Georgian man is very relaxed and easy going, but that changes into the full opposite, when he is getting on the seat of his car. I am every day shouting and screaming, full stressed, into the ears of my co-drivers, with the excuse that I shout the same in Germany on German drivers, but still... I also must confess, that in my eyes the average driving of the Tbilisians improved a bit in the last 1 or 2 years, due to more Western cars (better breaks) and due to some more logical traffic management, wich is just in the beginning of development by the authorities as I know.

What I hate on driving in Tbilisi comes here, feel free to comment, if I am wrong, or if you have other experiences.

1. The ability or will to Foresight seems to be rather undeveloped. Typical is to speed up in a difficult and very possible dangerous traffic situation by speed of 90+ and use the breaks in the last possible moment.

2. Backwards driving for 100s of meters unaware of the possible conflicts provoking of the following traffic.

3. Overtaking other cars on the opposite lane is a must for every Tbilisian. But even cooler is to barricade the whole opposite traffic for my little advantage in front of the stoplight.

4. Most Tbilisians rather risk the life of their children, than protecting them with the seat belt.

5. Pedestrians are slow and weak, are uncool and crap and can be ignored. They should watch their steps.

6. Its cool to hit as many straydogs as possible.

7. Marshrutka-Drivers have always priority.

8. Defensive driving is for cowards, lets drive with a clumsy aggressive fun.

9. Red stoplights may sometimes be ingnored, depending on the drivers mood.

10. Arguments with other drivers are best solved in open boxing fights in the middle lane of the left embankment of river Mtkvari.

11. I teach my wife all the efforts of my aggressive driving experiences.

12. Driving teachers give their pupils the worst cars available (38-years old Shigulis from the first production cycle in 1968 are best), for that they feel how cool will be a 200 PS BMW in the future.

13. Never teach the use of the mirrors to the pupil, because not every car has mirrors, neither they are too important.

Relax Tbilisians ! Don't crash your expensive car ! Do not kill innocent others! Take your foot away from full gas ! Be a little more polite to the others !