Culture Behind the Canadian Wheel: A Roadmap to Integration
Driving slow was a virtue in India. You’re a good driver if you do so. Nothing like that in Canada! You need to know who goes when and drive so. You need to know the Right of Way and don’t brake without reason.
These days, I’m learning to drive in Canada, a skill that demands not only knowing how it works but also an intuition that can only be forged through experience.
The early days have been really tough. I’m still learning.
In India, we follow the flow of traffic. If you know what to press and how to turn, you are good to go. Its effect is seen on Indian roads as well. We believe that rules will not be followed and we are always ready to press the break.
This makes sense as well, especially in India.
In Canada, things are different. Almost everyone follows the rules. It’s a cultural thing. It’s hard to think of other reasons. The children saw this order since childhood and that’s how they are grown up and that’s why they follow. Canada is special in its own way.
In Canada, traffic follows only one rule: “Right of Way”.
It makes driving predictable and definitely easy if you know this rule. You can go fast.
And, when you drive fast or slow, you need to know who is supposed to go first before you.
It takes time. It takes practice. But it comes on its own when you keep driving.
