Posted on March 04, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard

Argus Car Hire customers who choose to embrace the Olympic spirit by taking on the challenge of renting a car in Beijing this August, deserve a gold medal. Driving in the Chinese capital means taking more than a few risks and familiarising yourself with local rules. Argus Car Hire offers the following advice for driving in Beijing:

1. Crossing the Line

Generally speaking, lane markers are ignored. When drivers want to get a look down the road, but the view is obstructed by cars in front, drivers won’t think twice about sliding into the next lane and hogging two lanes for as long as possible. It’s also a common sight to see drivers who’ve missed their exits, putting their car into reverse and backing up into traffic.

2. Turning a Blind Eye

Beijing’s ‘no-look turn’ is something of a cultural phenomenon. Following the unwritten rules “if you see me, you’re responsible for not hitting me” and “if I don’t see you, it’s not my fault if I hit you”, drivers regularly come racing into streets, merge onto highways or even switch lanes without attempting to check whether the way is clear.
When driving in Beijing, keep your eyes open!

3. Emergency Lights

Don’t be alarmed to see a police vehicle’s flashing lights in your rear view mirror. Any native will tell you that police and other emergency services switch them on to show that they’re on duty. It’s safe to ignore them unless there are sirens accompanying the flashing lights. In fact, it’s a common sight to see irate ordinary drivers flashing lights at patrol cars that they deem to be driving too slowly!

4. Orienteering

When consulting a map Beijing, street names aren’t the only important points to note. The city’s bridges provide the names for major overpasses that link intersecting streets.

5. Every Man for Himself

In a country with a poulation of 1.3 billion people, you shouldn’t be surprised to find that you won’t get ahead by waiting your turn. In Beijing, drivers grab opportunities where they can get them.
A few inches of space between cars in the next lane presents itself as a golden opportunity-with the dilemma of giving way or causing a collision. Fortunately, Chinese drivers are not known for their aggression and cases of road rage are seldom.

6. …And Breathe Out!

Beijing authorities are doing their best to keep drunk drivers off the road by carrying out random spot checks. Officers carrying portable breathalizers can be seen sprinting from the curb when cars stop for red lights, forcing drivers to exhale into the machines.

7. Most Importantly-Enjoy the Games and Drive Safely!