RANT: Are the majority of public utility drivers stupid?

What is it about Philippine jeepney drivers and taxi drivers that stops them
from following road safety?

I know that driving is one of the highest money earning jobs one could get
if you are not a college graduate`– but REALLY! That doesn’t mean that just
because you didn’t finish schooling that you now have an excuse to ignore
road rules, especially since those rules are what keep everyone who uses the
road safe and ALIVE.

Just tonight, when I came off my night shift, I took a taxi home. Once the
taxi neared our gate, I said para!(stop) and the driver stopped– IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE ROAD! I know that it is already past midnight but please!

Of course I said, Manong pakitabi po. (Please move to the side of the road)
since I noticed the glare of lights from behind us. Anyone seeing lights
from behind would automatically think that there is an oncoming car. It
behooves us to bring the car safely to the side to avoid any accident. But
what did the driver do when I asked him to bring the car to the side? He
gave me a quizzical look.

I can only describe that look to mean “Are you crazy?”

Am I crazy? No, I don’t think so. Finicky, maybe. Cautious, definitely! I
was in a near accident not so long ago so I am definitely trying to protect
my pretty hide from further harm. Fortunately though, the driver of the
oncoming vehicle was already parking into the driveway of one of the houses.

I do not want to think that our government is so lax when it comes to
ensuring the safety of its constituents so much so that they are turning a
blind eye to all these people who are working as professional drivers.. and
they can’t even read! It makes one ask how did these people get their
license.

I know it is not fair of me to lump all public utility drivers and tar them
with the same brush. I have had some nice rides with very pleasant drivers.
Some were even very entertaining. Unfortunately, the worse breed drivers
exceed those who are “legitimate”.

Here are some acts I’ve noticed indicating a lack of education and road
obedience in our drivers:
- when a fare wants to go down, they halt in the middle of the road, never
mind the other drivers behind them
- jeepney drivers don’t signal left or right when turning
- they don’t know that they have to turn on their hazard lights at night to
indicate their presence on the road when they don’t have headlights or
running lights
- they weave in and out of traffic causing oncoming drivers to suddenly
brake
- even if no one is flagging down the jeep, the jeep will stop at the
corner and block traffic at the intersection on the off chance there are
passengers who want to ride
- they are ignorant of all but the most basic of road signs
- taxi drivers are generally unfamiliar with secondary streets of Metro
Manila, they are only cognizant of the more famous or popular streets and
landmarks
- taxi drivers will pick and choose their fares. (why don’t they just put a
sign on their windshield so they won’t waste people’s time getting in then
getting out of the car once he decides he doesn’t want to take you to your
destination?
- taxi drivers always short you on change (they can’t count??? Daig pa sila
ng jeepney driver kung ganoon! at least sila exacto kung manukli!)

Ah well, I’m sure you have your own horror stories about public utility
drivers. Thanks for letting me rant.