Turkish motoring - the good the bad and the ugly

As we have now driven across a third of Turkey (1500kms) I thought it was time for a summary. WOW - It has been an experience.

We have stopped in out of the way places and seen much kindness. At a small town baker they wouldn't take our money for bread.

At a petrol station buying water and soft drinks we were presented with two homemade ice creams. 

In another small town some teenage girls were delighted to talk to us in English. We can tell that these are school taught, as across Turkey the chats have always started with "what is your name?" followed by " where are you from?"

When we hit the motorway things changed.  These need serious concentration. Most are four or six lane divided road. Nice and safe eh?

One or two problems....

No lanes and lots of speed.

Turks respect the straight line, even when the road bends. They also like to judge their steering by centering on lane lines. If you need to pass you flash your lights or toot.

The motorway speed limit is 120 unless you are a police car or a motorist.

The tractors take the outside kerb, at twenty kph. The local drivers and very old trucks the first lane at 80kph.  The middle lane is for 100 - 120 and the inside lane is for overtaking.

This sounds very sensible except that

No one uses indicators and

No one uses only one lane and 

the inside lane is for BMW'S, VW'S & Mercedes' travelling at 140-160 kph.  

It is seriously scarey when you think you are alone on the road and you are suddenly buffetted by a passing car and before you can look across it is gone.

To help you recover there are many "truck stops". These are not the McDonald's style, they are serious business.

At our first one we were amazed by the complimentary car wash and the gourmet deli.

At the second one we couldn't resist sitting by the fountain and browsing the suit and dress shops whilst our car was washed (again).