Chaos or Order on the road - whats your preference?

Do you like pure order where you follow all the rules - not me, a little order but the flexibility to bend the rules when you need to is important. Central London with CCTV means no breaking of the rules or a fine in the post.

Beirut is total anarchy on the roads, I have been warned by many locals to drive defensively and if lights are green, still check for cars. I have seen the following bending of the road rules:

- Sonar driving - the constant tooting really wound me up
- All cars driving either way down one way streets - this is the norm!
- When the traffic is at a standstill, scooters ride on the foot path
- Police are located at all main intersections but this does not stop breaking of the rules
- 4 Japanese race bikes came flying up to a red light, straight through stopped cars facing the red,a quick glance for other cars, then raced off straight through the red (one doing a wheelie) and the intersection policeman laughing at them.
- Motorbikes and scooters, including policeman riding against the traffic - its a shock when you turn a corner because you think you have gone the wrong way.
- 2 lane road will fit as many cars, buses and trucks as there is room - generally 3 wide
- If no cars in the opposite direction, not just motorbikes will run the red - anyone will.
- When turning across oncoming traffic, just keep pushing into the oncoming traffic until the traffic either stops or has no room to go around you.

A local biker explained to me that working traffic lights are relatively new, due to so many years of war the Lebanese have adapted to their own way of driving.

I did see a total of 6 minor collisions and a 4 car pile up on the highway.

I prefer order, its exhausting driving in Beirut but fun when you need to get from A to B in a hurry!!