Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.
-Dorothy
Having visited the country repeatedly for over 20 years and now living and working in Paradise full time, MotoCaribe has developed a different perspective of riding in the Dominican Republic. Our stable of V-Stroms has over 30,000 accident-free miles riding all over the country on all kinds of roads and in all sorts of conditions. And we’ve learned a few things that can not only enhance the enjoyment of riding motorcycles in this incredible place, but keep a rider safe and accident free. Safety is the single most important aspect of the sport of motorcycle riding…or it should be.
Rules of the Road: There IS a Pattern to the Chaos
Simply stated, roads are used differently in the DR than here in the States. Your home motorcycle riding environment exists no more. You are a visitor in a highly evolved system and there are certain expectations of you simply because you are on a motorcycle within that structure. Understanding how to integrate within that developed traffic pattern is the key to your riding safety in the DR. Ready to surf the edge of chaos?
The Basic Riding Dynamics
You need to have a complete disregard for the localized traffic rules that you love and understand from home. Rules exist in the DR, but they are different. Accept that premise and realize that it will take some time for you to acclimate to the new dynamics, the sooner the better. We have found it takes the average rider about 4 hours until they begin to reach a comfort level with the new rules. We aren’t talking about legalities or rights or wrongs here. We are talking about the unspoken realities and how they relate to your safety. Remember: You are a new species in a very established ecosystem.
Size Matters:
The bigger the vehicle the more it has the implied Right of Way. Embrace this dynamic because it ain’t never gonna change, Sparky. Never assume that that bus or SUV coming at you is going to get out of your way. That’s your job.
Right Rut:
The center of the road is the most dangerous place to be on a motorcycle. The right rut is the safest place to be, since the dangerous threats come from two places:
Someone coming directly at you crossing the center line while passing a slower vehicle or avoiding a pothole. This happens quite frequently, two lane roads in the DR being the norm but often driven by Dominican drivers as if they were three lanes.
Someone overtaking you and you don’t see or hear them. Any movement out of the right rut should always be preceded by a solid visual and aural assessment of what is directly behind you.
A Special Note:
When approaching a blind uphill turn on a mountain road, exercise special caution. Staying in the right rut and beeping twice is mandatory. Dominican drivers know the roads very well and are likely to carry speed down those hills, passing trucks and slower vehicles that commonly use engine compression to save their brakes. They could be over the center line coming downhill. Having your bike near the center line is a sure recipe for disaster.
The right rut is especially important going up steep hills. You’ll see many overloaded trucks belching smoke and oil onto the road as they labor mightily. Their engines are under considerable pressure, resulting in a spray of some nice, fresh oil on the center of the lane. Unless your bike has special “oil tread” tires…and I’ve yet to see them…stay away from the oily center rut as much as possible.
Use Your Horn!
Using your horn to let other drivers know your intentions is as standard as using your turn signals. The norm is two beeps before you pass someone and approaching a blind curve.
You Will Get Passed, So Let Them By:
If you’re thinking about blocking that SUV wanting to pass you, even when traffic is tight, and you think you have the Right of Way, think again. That SUV will pass you, even if it means forcing you off the road. Never, ever challenge it.
Passing Slower Vehicles:
You will be passing slower vehicles on a regular basis and there are virtually no rules. Caution is all that matters.
Always:
Check behind you before maneuvering into a position to pass. Dominicans will pass multiple vehicles at a time and yours may be one of those when he’s behind you. Then check the road ahead to determine what is approaching you, put the blinker on, use a hand signal and beep, quickly get around the vehicle and back into the right rut. The key is staying off the center line as much as possible.
Ride In the “Bubble”:
This is the common practice of positioning yourself in traffic in clear space. There is no one close on your rear nor are you on someone else’s rear. This means getting past slower traffic when necessary and letting faster traffic pass you. On a big motorcycle you are traveling faster than motos and most trucks, and sometimes slower than cars, so this is a very natural state of operation. Always give yourself space.
Group Riding Single File:
With few exceptions, single file is always the best option for group riding. It gives all riders maximum road to react and avoid road hazards and other traffic. Adhering to the “2 second rule” between the bikes is not just important but should be mandatory, as it allows riders to have time to react safely to hazards. Staggered group riding should not be used, because no rider should be near the center line where it would limit his ability to avoid road hazards. Hand signals should always be used and passed back, lead rider to tail gunner, with lead rider reinforcing these continuously. “Lost Man” procedures should be implemented in the event a problem occurs that splits the group.
In the rare occurrence of having to stop for a red light, an exception to the single file rule should be made by riders splitting the lane side-by-side to keep the group together. Left in single file, motos would bunch in and all around the column, creating all manner of havoc and confusion. When the light changes, proceed in a single line.
more to come…
