Eureka! (or The Rules of Driving in Armenia)
by Yeretsgin Paula Devejian
After living here for 7 years, I have finally figured out some of the driving rules!!!!!
For all of you who drive in, are thinking of driving or have driven in Armenia, this is for you!
While Your Car is Moving:
1) The little white lines in the middle of streets are only a suggestion. There are several rules which refer to the white line, but it's for guidance more than restriction.
2) The far right lane is actually the occasional parking lane. This is why all right turns are made from the middle lane. Additionally, as long as no greater than 3/4 of your car is inside the center lane, you are allowed to stop in the parking lane.
3) The far left lane is actually the street sweeper lane. They occasionally park there for long periods of time. This lane is also used for right turns, but only when you have forgotten or are too lazy to get over to the center lane, yet still need to turn right.
4) The center lane is the driving lane, and the right turn lane, and on occasion the left turn lane.
5) On 4 lane divided roads, the white line is used to center your car. You should only pull into the right lane when someone behind you honks or flashes their lights. However, when your car is centered, you should drift no farther than the inner edge of either of your front tires. Drifting left to right within these boundaries is encouraged.
6) Regardless of the number of lanes, all lanes are considered "talking lanes". Anytime you see a friend, either in another car or on foot, you can stop in the lane you are in, and talk to them.
7) When driving farther than 10 kilometers, you are required to pass, lag behind, pass, lag behind, pass and then finally lag behind any Niva on the road.
8) You can back up a street as long as you don't go farther than 3 kilometers.
9) You can drive in the wrong direction on any road, as long as you drive on the shoulder or the parking lane, and the distance is not farther than 5 kilometers.
10) Outside of Yerevan proper, none of these rules apply. Streets, sidewalks, shoulders, parking lots and the occasional stair have all been morphed into one, and termed a driving surface. Rule N2GT (Need to go there) is in effect for all driving protocols.
While Your Car is Stopped at a Red Light (hahahahahahahahahahahahaha)
1) Once the light turns green, and if you are the first car, you are allowed to hesitate for up to 30 seconds before proceeding.
2) If you are not the first car, you are required to honk your horn 5 seconds before the light turns green.
3) However, both rules 1 and 2 are declared void if you start talking to a friend who is outside of your car, if you start your conversation while the light is still red.
4) When approaching a red light, driving around the waiting traffic to place your car at the front is allowed, but only if you are important or in a hurry.
5) Turning right at a red light is never allowed under any circumstances. However, going straight is.
If you closely follow these rules, and abide by all other traffic laws, you will be guaranteed a much more enjoyable driving experience in Armenia.
After living here for 7 years, I have finally figured out some of the driving rules!!!!!
For all of you who drive in, are thinking of driving or have driven in Armenia, this is for you!
While Your Car is Moving:
1) The little white lines in the middle of streets are only a suggestion. There are several rules which refer to the white line, but it's for guidance more than restriction.
2) The far right lane is actually the occasional parking lane. This is why all right turns are made from the middle lane. Additionally, as long as no greater than 3/4 of your car is inside the center lane, you are allowed to stop in the parking lane.
3) The far left lane is actually the street sweeper lane. They occasionally park there for long periods of time. This lane is also used for right turns, but only when you have forgotten or are too lazy to get over to the center lane, yet still need to turn right.
4) The center lane is the driving lane, and the right turn lane, and on occasion the left turn lane.
5) On 4 lane divided roads, the white line is used to center your car. You should only pull into the right lane when someone behind you honks or flashes their lights. However, when your car is centered, you should drift no farther than the inner edge of either of your front tires. Drifting left to right within these boundaries is encouraged.
6) Regardless of the number of lanes, all lanes are considered "talking lanes". Anytime you see a friend, either in another car or on foot, you can stop in the lane you are in, and talk to them.
7) When driving farther than 10 kilometers, you are required to pass, lag behind, pass, lag behind, pass and then finally lag behind any Niva on the road.
8) You can back up a street as long as you don't go farther than 3 kilometers.
9) You can drive in the wrong direction on any road, as long as you drive on the shoulder or the parking lane, and the distance is not farther than 5 kilometers.
10) Outside of Yerevan proper, none of these rules apply. Streets, sidewalks, shoulders, parking lots and the occasional stair have all been morphed into one, and termed a driving surface. Rule N2GT (Need to go there) is in effect for all driving protocols.
While Your Car is Stopped at a Red Light (hahahahahahahahahahahahaha)
1) Once the light turns green, and if you are the first car, you are allowed to hesitate for up to 30 seconds before proceeding.
2) If you are not the first car, you are required to honk your horn 5 seconds before the light turns green.
3) However, both rules 1 and 2 are declared void if you start talking to a friend who is outside of your car, if you start your conversation while the light is still red.
4) When approaching a red light, driving around the waiting traffic to place your car at the front is allowed, but only if you are important or in a hurry.
5) Turning right at a red light is never allowed under any circumstances. However, going straight is.
If you closely follow these rules, and abide by all other traffic laws, you will be guaranteed a much more enjoyable driving experience in Armenia.
posted by Raffi K. at 7:06 PM
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