For years I used to ride a Honda CB 750 (the "sevenfifty" model) back in the Netherlands, and rode it as far as to Southern Spain (around 2,000 km) at one point; a grueling experience, not because of traffic but because of the effect of the sustained position on the bike, the strain on arms and legs etc., I was in pretty bad shape upon arrival lol. I have driven a (light) bike here also, but I wouldn't dream of riding one even just to Cebu City. The hazards of riding a bike here mentioned by other posters make sure that any travel by night is a no go here, and travel by day needs to be short. The only enjoyable rides I did here was doing touristy stuff on Siquijor, which is rather quiet traffic wise, and the circular road along the coast is in decent shape with a few exceptions (the roads across the island are a different story).
It's very simple. As long as traffic rules are not being enforced (just a check for wearing an helmet, will not improve traffic) without any consideration, traffic is and will be as risky as can be and will never get any safer for a long time.. More dangerous and a no go after sunset than during the day but for a real fun ride in and around Duma, it's the wrong place.
It sounds like driving ifs very challenging. When an accident does happen, is the foreigner at a disadvantage when the police are trying to arrive at the cause of the crash? Is there the concept of no fault insurance, which means both insurance companies pay and then settle between themselves. Is there uninsured motorist coverage if someone without insurance hits you or do you have to sue the person who hit you?
1. don't know, but would assume yes 2. no, and good luck getting the guilty party's insurance to actually pay the damages to your car. 3 no, so the latter applies In short, don't get into any accident
As a foreigner you have a disadvantage, not to say no or only minor chances, in any kind of conflicts. Especially when it comes to traffic accidents. Insurance ? Coverage of uninsured motorists ? Settlement between themselves ? I am still looking for the lmfao smiley. Would give you 20 of it if I could. Hence you are a member here since 2014 I am wondering whether you just wanted to make a joke ? Can't believe this was a serious post. Sorry, if I am wrong. There is only one insurance: defense driving, be very very carefully all the time, forget all, and I mean all, traffic rules you know from your home country, give way instead of insisting of your right, try to avoid any accident. It's more fun in the Philippines. But certainly there are better places for having conflicts as a foreigner.
I have a friend who was in an accident, motorcycle hit the back of her truck. By the time she got to the police station to report it they already knew and were blaming her. 1. Most people here are related so an outsider (foreigner or simply not from the same LGU not) is at fault. 2. She has a truck thus the mentality is she has the money 2nd Event Friend driving hit a motorcycle when it went from stopped in the middle of the road to talk to someone to pulling out in front of him. Local started yelling untill the he realized it was all on dashcam. Local picked up his bike and left. 3rd account. Trike driver hit my car in Robinson's mall. My wife got out (better her than me) and security told driver to leave. When my wife spoke to security officer the responce was he probably doesnt have the money to fixnit anyways. Regarding insurance: Yes, it is available. We get iurs thru the dealership. Yes, there is full coverage with uninsured motorist As well as liability
Driving here a car or motorbike is indeed very challenging. About insurance etc. Ever asked yourself why a 100 meters before any PNP checkpoint motorbike drivers are waiting until the checkpoint will move on? Any way many citizens as a driver of a car or motorbike, if they have an insurance it will be only TPL. More newer cars or motorbikes may have all comprehensive insurance. TPL here in the PH only covers the medical cost and up to 100.000 peso. all material cost has to be settled between the parties involved an as already said, no money available. So finally the foreigner is the one to bear it. Sue him/her and go to court is a waste of money and even should you win the case after.....many2x years, money still not available. So the advice, already given, avoid any kind of accident in traffic.
No, I was being serious, so let me explain my situation. I've been married to a Filipina for 22 years, but have spent all of it in the US. Typically we would visit the Philippines about every two years for a 2 week vacation, since Covid hit it's going on 4 years. First time in the Philippines was probably about 24 years ago. In all my visits, I've rented a car once for a day in Dumaguete and a motorcycle twice for a day, once in Dumaguete and once in Boracay. Of all my visits, I've been to Dumaguete about 5 times. It's probably been 12-15 years since I rented anything, so Boracay and Dumaguete have grown significantly. I usually get a tricycle or cab depending on what's available. All this to say, while I've got a long history on this forum, I really don't have a lot living there experience, just vacationing there experience. Much of my so called experience comes from this forum and getting involved in buying a house. Lot's of war stories to tell there.....no need to tell me I probably should have waited. lol
Thanks for your reply. First of all I apologize in case I have insulted you. That was at no point my intention. I didn't know that you have only little experience of the daily challenges in this country. Hence I was surprised of your "western thinking". In our home countries we are used to live with rules, law and regulations and in case somebody is not behaving according to the law you can claim your right. At least this is the idea. Here it's different. Completely different. You need to adapt local rules and forget everything you knew from the past. From my point of view you can have a more or less decent life here if you can manage to avoid conflicts. Not only in terms if traffic, but in general. Of course it's not always possible. Let your wife handle disputes. She can most probably do it in a better and more successful way. The Philippines are ruled by tribes. Not by law.
