Question for elders and car enthusiasts

My fellow elders, those of you who have been driving your jalopies for close to a decade or more, what driving tips and tricks have you acquired over the years that were not taught in driving schools. Skills that are central to your ‘survival’ in Kenyan roads? How about a driving mistake you learnt from? Let’s talk.

One thing I learnt is that you can’t be pro enough not to get into accidents. Jamaa atakuja anaongea na simu atakuja alime hiyo gari yako mbaya sana. It will still look like you are on the wrong.

kila mtu kwa barabara ni mwenda, you are the only sane driver. Ukikua na hio mentality(basically defensive driving) , you can avoid many accidents from the front and sides

I know man, kwanza people with big cars switch lane right infront of you without indicating and you are forced to brake like a psycho

I learnt this the hard way. I once had a fast car and thought I could drive as fast as I wanted on the highway. I was wrong. Nowadays I hardly go beyond 100km/h.

Well,
You need a few self protect items.
This one comes handy if you feel you simply want to take it out on a fellow road user.
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The two below needs you to be patient with yourself but come in handy if you find yourself in the jungle.
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The third item needed is for the big boys of the street though you need to be disciplined enough and not easily irritated by makanga. You should not be like that professor who shot a makanga’s ear off hapo odeon some years back
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These are the three critical pieces of advise I can give you and of course you need money to sort you in need.

I have the first one tucked in tight under the driver’s seat. Never had an opportunity to use it though.

[ol]
[li]Carry basic tools with you. You don’t want to be stuck in the Bundu’s over something a screwdriver or pliers can sort out,[/li][li]Haraka haraka haina baraka. You don’t save much time driving like a maniac over say doing 80-100. Our roads aren’t designed for cruising at high speeds,[/li][li]Kuwa mchoyo na kifungu. Hakuna kitu huchapisha gari kama kifungu kutembea kwa mikono mingi,[/li][li]Never scrounge on maintenance. I can’t overkill this,[/li][li]Make checking your fluids from time to time second nature. Hakuna kitu mbaya kama gari kuzima juu ya.mafuta ama low coolant. Pia this practice reduces wear and tear.,[/li][li]Badilisha gari ikizeeka. If you have to keep it, let it be for sentimental values. Maintenance tends to get more expensive as the car ages.[/li][/ol]

Defensive driving
Know a bit about car maintenance
Kuendesha Nairobi haitaki makisiriko
Drive four cars (the one in front, behind, oncoming and overlapping one)
Rear view mirror is your friend (I’ve been trailed many times)
If you ever hit a nduthi hit it very well and don’t stop

  1. Cops hate dirty cars, get your documents in order too

  2. Kenya has very many drunk drivers

  3. Give a matatus way, the driver is probably high on weed and drunk on changaa

  4. Low speeds are boring but you’ll rarely get in a compromising situation

  5. Don’t drive at night if you can afford a cheap lodging, better sleep in the car

  6. Have 50/100 bob kwa dashboard/driving license. It will save you 20k and a lot of time.

  7. Driving a car, any car, will earn you respect

  8. Kenyan roads are forever under construction, it never ever ends

  9. A fuel guzzler will literarily bankrupt you

  10. Performance cars/bikes attract men, the average woman can’t tell the difference between a 1500cc Impreza and a 500hp sti wrx

Haha number 10 is so accurate. Some women can’t even tell the difference between a C class and E class.

Hapo kwa defensive driving, I know what it means but could you share some practical tips.

Rule number one avoid a blue turbo charged Subaru Even if you have a faster car.
Rule number two avoid anything with a woman driver in front of you ,behind you or worse by your side.
Rule number three avoid a truck by all means hio " trailer" yake inaweza kupiga nyahunyo muoto Sana.

If a boba boda rider rams into you and he is very very clearly in the wrong, and other boda’s start gathering there, don’t try to argue with them, take off to nearest police station or just drive away and go home.

When they are clearly in the wrong they will let you run away.

Na usijaribu upuzi ya kuandika number za nduthi yake.

Next…

I don’t even bother with traffic cops anymore, they are snakes

Kuna mtu aliwahi sema ati heri umkulie a Subaru driver bibi kuliko ushindane na yeye

Seconded.
Kama huna first aid kit kwa gari get one…then if you have one talk to a doc for tips on what else to include and amounts/quantity.
A durable spare back seat cover can also come in handy…kama unakuanga msamaria mwema that is.

And your tires before you drive off.

Your the man.

Great thread

Hapo Kwa Subaru it’s true…he will race you even when you not aware you were racing. Ukimpita he rather stop where he was going until he overtakes you…hata Kama unefika kwa gate yako :smiley:

Wewe naona ukona experience by the way you’ve articulated the points…coz zote umegonga point