@beni9: Thanks - I didn't know that (didn't see it in the traffic book either).

@Dazzer: Agreed. Everyone seems to be in their own parallel universe/bubble and never ever look before turning, stopping or generally crossing your path. Although I generally find because most drive/ride/walk so slow, they notice you before they actually hit you.

When I'm riding in town, the only things I'm super cautious about (ie stop for) are buses because they just lay on the horn and plough through. But I guess they're big enough and don't care as much if you break the windscreen or scratch the paintwork.

But yeah, I get ya, act as if everyone is trying to kill you and you'll be safe. Like riding in London. Or Toronto. Only the traffic is slower here.

I personally think in every country, if you care about your life, you'd better watch everyone around you while participating in traffic. Traffic lights are only indicational lights, not guaranteed safety. Once adopted that basic idea, I consider traffic in Kunming freedom! In Holland I might die or become permanently cripple getting hit by a car going 100km/h in the city with one little mistake. So 'in the west' we might have harshly enforced, strict traffic laws.. so what? Of course there's a lot of idiots on the road driving in seemingly random ways, but one thing is usually certain; they also don't want to die or end up in an accident (especially if you see how many hours people spent here discussing a little scratch on their Prado).

Just follow this basic rule: as long as you're in front of someone (especially cars), they will see you. In any other position you have to anticipate their every move.

That said, while cursing out some complete idiots on the road (usually people on foot, bicycle or scooter), I love driving here!

@Yereth, I don't understand how you can possibly enjoy driving here. Back in Toronto my wife was the safest driver I had ever met. Here, I'm afraid to get into the car without a sedative. For a trip downtown I would prefer a general anesthetic. Despite the crowding I feel much safer on the bus.

@Yereth: Yeah..... those pesky leg users. Why don't they learn to levitate....... or stay indoors. Jeez, they even use our parking spaces (aka pavements). Get some bull bars bro! That'll sort the bastards out.

@nnoble: It's not the pedestrians on the pavement that are the problem, it's the ones that stand in the middle of the road or nonchalently stroll in front of oncoming cars. As a daily walker and a sometimes driver I see suicidal idiots in all situations. And don't get me started on the moped users...

don't expect to be treated as a human being when on foot or on bike.... you are merely a serf in eyes of most drivers.

I have been on a bus in the rain, passing a university gate. People have been walking across the road at an angle that would mean they get to the curb about 100yards down the road. This was on a 6 lane highway, with no central median. Cars swerving around them.

I was driving the other day and a moped did a 'U' turn in front of oncoming traffic, but out of a line of cars, and so they could not be seen until they were in the oncoming lane.

@Putrijaya.
Don't expect to be treated any differently if you drive a car either. There is a total disregard for the other person. That is also why pedestrians and mopeds drive the way they do, total disregard for making others brake and swerve to avoid them, they flip side is a disregard for their own safety.

IMHO you won't change the basic culture that is behind the driving culture. That is why there are more solid barriers to stop people illegally crossing lines in the middle of the road.\

You have to make it 'not worth' breaking the law. This is a mixture of enforcement and punishment. i.e. if people never get caught, there is little deterrence from large fines and bans.

Fines work for some, but not for the rich.

In Zhengzhou they had a great little system. They would have a purge at a particular junction and then redirect the cars to the nearest cop shop to produce their documents. The copshop was only about 500m from one junction, and cars could queue without obstructing traffic. And that is what you did, queue. There was only one cop processing documents, and he was very slow. Drivers could be there for several hours. Chinese people seem to place a much higher value on time than westerners. Be they are farmer earning $200 a year, or a business man earning $200 a day. That was a very effective punishment.

They also had very good enforcement at some road junctions, especially for illegal 'U' turns at major intersections. Just as you are coming out of your 'U' turn into the opposite traffic, there is a cop standing there.

There is a joke.
Q. What does a red light/stop sign mean on a road in China?
A. Nothing, unless a cop is standing there.

You can customise this joke for Kunming:

Q. What does a red light/stop sign mean on a road in Kunming?
A. Nothing.

Kunming still has a farmer's (nongchang) mentality and a severe lack of culture (polite way of saying "peasant culture"). Best solution - if you have the resources, is to hire a RELIABLE driver (another potential source of trouble). As for taking the kids riding - chuck the bikes in the SUV and trot everyone down to the dianchi bike path (no cars).

And since we're whining - how about those drivers who stop in the middle of the street or traffic lane to:

1. take a phone call
2. ask for directions
3. no reason in particular - just want to block traffic and be obnoxious
4. splitting lanes (like a motorcycle) blocking traffic in BOTH lanes

DEATH PENALTY!!