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Driving Tips/Differences

    Anything about driving in Argentina that's different to other countries? My reference point is that I live in Chile and am from the UK. I have also driven rentals in other countries, USA and Germany most commonly.


    I am aware it's more chaotic and faster driving and more tailgating than some other countries, but I'm more looking for anything specific where I might put my foot in it by just doing what I normally would. What actual highway rules are different and what are the major dangers/annoyances/nuisances not also found in most countries? And any safety advice specific to Argentina, specific scams or crime issues.


    Couple of things I found googling around:


    Right turns on red NOT allowed according to one site – is that in all cases or just some? But if I get beeped at for not doing it and it looks clear, maybe I'll go?


    A couple of articles said no left turn unless signposted on major roads. Is this for most major roads in cities/urban areas, and very different to other countries? Or is it really just for highways so not that different to other countries?


    I'll be driving from Chile via Paso Los Libertadores and visiting Uspallata and Mendoza. Not going anywhere near Buenos Aires and probably wouldn't drive if I was!


    Any thoughts on centre of Mendoza for ease/comfort of driving/parking? I'll actually be staying in the area Lujan de Cuyo in the south of Mendoza so could in theory completely avoid driving in the city centre. Will ask the hotel for advice on that as well.


    Parking - do people come up and ask for change to guard the car? Will they tend to really watch it, or is more of a protection racket - do cars really get damaged if you don't pay? I suppose I could avoid this issue by parking in an official/private car park that charges. Is this irritation just in cities or is it all over, even in rural areas?


    I did find this article but it's more about roundabouts:

    Thread
    Driving tips.
    Here's how roundabouts should be handled, according to the UK Highway Code.
    argentinaexpats.org/index.php?attachment/1525/

    When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise
    • signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
    • keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.
    When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise
    • signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
    • keep to the right on…
    Splinter

    In Bs As , the parking attendants mafia operate freely.


    The only time we didn't pay the door got scratched.


    Not sure about Mendoza.

    The rules for roundabouts are - approach with caution.


    Aggression is the name of the day...

    No right turns on red lights is a rule that you should stick to unless you are in a dodgy area at night .....

    Mendoza is a more relaxed city and not as crazy as Bs As. I don't envisage any huge problems.


    Zero-tolerance drink driving rules have just been introduced in Bs As. Not sure about Mendoza.

    No left turns, surely?

    I found the driving to be quite fine, no issues.


    There were a few times when I didn't understand the markings / traffic control in the road but it didn't cause any issues.


    I found the very centre of Mendoza a bit stressful. There weren't any large parking places that we saw that looked official (perhaps an underground car park) and when we went into a small one I noticed they were letting cars park and block others in to get more custom so I reversed out of there as there wasn't space to turn around which caused a bit of slight chaos on the street for a minute but the other drivers were patient. I eventually found a spare space to park on the street.


    I also ended up on the wrong side of the road once when I turned into traffic and all of a sudden there wasn't space to let me in. Surprising no-one beeped at me.


    That was just the very centre of Mendoza though. Everywhere else was perfectly fine.


    There were 4-5 police stops but they were very easy just 1 question and maybe check a document and they let me go.


    I didn't find the drivers to be particularly aggressive or bad, not that different to Chile really. And better than I experienced in some countries like Brazil, Peru, Malaysia.

    I noted several times, when I gave priority to the vehicle that comes from my right,, thát the driver gives me thanks when I am fullfilling my duty.It seems that he or she do not know the rule

    But the real mess Is in the rond points.

    Rare people respects the rule to give priority to those who aré inside the rond points.

    Unfortunately many people buy greát pick UPS only to make bullying to other normal or minor Cars.

    An undesirable hint of lack of proper mánners in tráffic.

    Quote from Carlos

    I noted several times, when I gave priority to the vehicle that comes from my right,, thát the driver gives me thanks when I am fullfilling my duty.It seems that he or she do not know the rule

    But the real mess Is in the rond points.

    Rare people respects the rule to give priority to those who aré inside the rond points.

    Unfortunately many people buy greát pick UPS only to make bullying to other normal or minor Cars.

    An undesirable hint of lack of proper mánners in tráffic.

    Our experience as well Carlos. Those who are coming from the right without indicating they're turning right are the worst bullies.

    Quote from Carlos

    I noted several times, when I gave priority to the vehicle that comes from my right,, thát the driver gives me thanks when I am fullfilling my duty.It seems that he or she do not know the rule

    But the real mess Is in the rond points.

    Rare people respects the rule to give priority to those who aré inside the rond points.

    Unfortunately many people buy greát pick UPS only to make bullying to other normal or minor Cars.

    An undesirable hint of lack of proper mánners in tráffic.

    I fully agree!

    It is very confusing to drive in Argentina, as people simply see to go with the flow and do not know road rules.

    For example, when we use the indicators to signal we are going to turn left or right, the other drivers seem to not understand it. At first, we thought the lights were not visible in daylight, but after 6 years driving here, we came to the conclusion that people don't know what they are for. Therefore, I have to stick my arm outside the window to signal if we are turning. It seems barbaric, but it is what it is.


    When Argentinians have to take a left/right, they just take it without signalling. And when they have to park, they turn on emergency lights (we use the indicators in Italy for that).


    The roundabout issue that Carlos describe is unfortunately true and contrary to good sense and road rules. I am always super alert when approaching a roundabout as my instinct is to drive as appropriate in the rest of the world.


    I have also noticed that horizontal signs are largely ignored, from the stripes that separate lanes to crosswalks.

    In the end it comes down to "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Once you get into the mindset of unwritten rules, it helps you to know what to expect, especially on roundabouts where the priority seems to be through traffic regardless of whether you have right of way when ON the roundabout. If you fight that, you will have an accident.

    Quote from Splinter

    In the end it comes down to "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Once you get into the mindset of unwritten rules, it helps you to know what to expect, especially on roundabouts where the priority seems to be through traffic regardless of whether you have right of way when ON the roundabout. If you fight that, you will have an accident.

    True. We regularly use the only roundabout here which crosses Ruta 5. Those entering it from Ruta 5 seem to think they have the right of way no matter who's already on it. Non existent road signs/markings don't help right enough.

    There is a tradition here, and I regret too much because is my country, to bully the others drivers using a big car or a giant pick up. Mostly this kind of vehicle is used if you have an estancia or rural property, but in BA mostly young mothers of familly uses this to violate the right of others. And men as well. I think that this is a stupid thing, since the platform of the pick ups are never used, and the 2 passenegers in the back of the driver have less room than in a classical sedan,

    Another proof of the wicked way of thinking of my fellow countrymen,

    Fortunately we are not the worst, Some others latin american students that I have in the university, says that here is at least much order.

    People seem to enjoy taking out their frustrations on others when driving. A dangerous, potentially fatal game.


    Years ago, as young drivers perplexed by the insane traffic on roundabouts and intersections in Rome, we asked a man we were talking with in a restaurant, “How do you determine who has the right of way?”


    His answer was simple: “Whoever has the biggest car.” Or, Carlos , a pickup truck?