Rules of the Road in Liberia

Drivers in Liberia must know certain important rules.

• If you have a breakdown, tear up large chunks of grass and associated clods and plant them in the road upstream of your vehicle, to serve as “flares” warning other drivers of your mishap. It is not necessary to pull off the road.
• Blink your headlights if you want to tell other drivers to go ahead.
• To cross or turn onto a street, inch out until you block traffic going one way, and then wait until someone slows down and blinks at you so you can finish crossing.
• Cabs are supposed to wave you around them when they stop for passengers, but weave around whether they do or not.
• Honk to warn pedestrians in the road.
• Honk to warn children or dogs or inattentive pedestrians beside the road.
• Honk to salute friends.
• Be aware of the road conditions so you can tell why the other guy is honking.
• Pedestrians will help guide you when you need to back up or make a blind turn.
• Possession is 10/10 of the right of way.
• Try to stay more or less on the right-hand side of the road.
• Try to avoid potholes.
• Don’t hit pedestrians.
• Don’t be timid.
• Pray that when a bigwig comes by and you have to get off the road, that you will be able to get back on again.
• If there is a policeman present, follow his signals. (Does not apply to cabs)
• Follow the signals at the checkpoints, if you can read them.
• You can always squeeze in another lane of traffic if you are careful.
• Know exactly how wide your car is.
• After you’ve weaved and intimidated your way to the front of the pack, slow down and blink somebody in or a pedestrian across.

You laugh, but try to maneuver through a crowded concourse hall at O’Hare airport.