Whilst many of you know my not-so-careful driving habits, I have to admit enough is enough. Here in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />China we ("we" being the company expatriates) are not allowed to drive. Anyone who has been here cannot wonder why. As with so many other things here, traffic in China has its own laws, which are none what so ever based on the written legislation. Laws of jungle, some might say. In addition to that, should an accident happen, the legal system is somewhat unreliable, and cannot guarantee that the justice would be served. Moreover, there are some 100, 000 road kills and 450 000 road accidents every year in China. That is, according to the official Chinese news agency. World Health Organizations figure then again was 680 killed daily (2004), which makes almost 250 000 a year.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

As we cannot drive our selves, company has a car pool, which means there are several cars and professional drivers to take care of us, and one of them will take me to the mill and back when needed. During these couple of weeks I have already had enough time make some sort of ranking, and to pick my favourite driver. Not only does he speak understandable English, but he also drivers like… well, like a westener. I mean, when he drives, I do not fear for my life. I don't feel compulsion to concentrate on the traffic and make sure I am prepared for the impact, when it comes. I can actually work, read or sleep. No sudden stops, no honking horns. Smooth.

 

Which driver you get could is a lucky draw. Personally I would much rather take a good, calm driver for the next year or two than to win a small lottery. Unluckily for me, I've been assigned to a shuttle-group, so drivers vary, but the one with the most amiable driving personality does not drive that shuttle. I wonder if there is anything I could do to help the lady who arranges the transportations..? ;o) 

 

This morning I experienced the "enough" mentioned in the beginning. Driver picked me up, and while we were in the city it was ok, but once we got to the toll way and to the first toll gate, it started to get worst. The driver clearly had a dispute with a red taxi. For those who have not yet had the pleasure to visit Shanghai: 99,9 % of all taxis in Shanghai (maybe in China too?) are Volkswagen Santanas (I'll tell you about Santanas and taxis a bit more some other day). First our car wedged the taxi on to the toll booth. Then there was some honking. And after the gate some passing. And more passing. And while all of these are highly common features in the traffic China, this was pretty easy to spot to be something more. The taxi driver then stepped on it, Santana took of (surprisingly swiftly!) and we were left behind, thank gosh. But this madman driver of ours still tried to catch the taxi. There is plenty of more passing other cars, from left and right, and the damn minivan is shaking in the speed of 180 km/h, and jumps at least 10 cm every time there is a bridge connection or similar.  

 

I realised my vocabulary is clearly missing something. I have learned too expensive, too small, too big, too salty, too hard and too light and bunch of other "too something"s. But I don't know too fast. I make a mental note that I have to ask from my colleague. If I ever get to the mill alive, that is.

 

Finally, the red taxi takes an exit from the toll way, and I can actually breathe again. I wonder who would be the correct person to remind the drivers that it really, really is more important to get there (wherever) in one piece that to try to get there five minutes faster. And if they want to race, they can try and see on if the Shanghai F1 circuit is available for rent, when they are not working. I think we might need a special version of the Code of Conduct for the drivers, that defines the above mentioned very clearly.

 

My colleague had not yet arrived when I got to the mill, but the first Finn I met at the office knew "too fast" in Chinese without a moments hesitation. Nothing further, Your Honor. I rest my case.

 

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P.s. You all know english is not my first language, so do excuse me for all the bugs. The story just came out in English today :o)