Welcome Frankendrivers

If you’ve been reading this blog, you are well aware that I cannot stop ranting about Quebec roads and the freaking stupid drivers who inhabit them. 

Start the timer, doctor. 

I have alleged in this blog before (May 27, 2021) that SAAQ examiners are getting filthy rich by accepting cash in exchange for allowing complete morons to pass their driving tests. 

 

How are these idiots getting permits? They pay extra. 

 

There is just no other possible explanation for the number of idiots there are on the roads. 

 

It appears there may be another factor partly contributing to the rampant road retardation. 

 

It turns out when people arrive here from other countries, the Quebec government gives them six months to adjust to the rules of our roads. 

 

These foreign drivers have six months before they are required to pass the Quebec driving test. Until then, do what you do out there on the road – or, do what you don’t do – or, don’t do what you don’t do – or do what you were doing wherever you were before here.

 

If, within these six months, they fail their Quebec driver’s test, no sweat, keep right on driving with your foreign license, but be sure to make an appointment to repeat your test 28 days later. 

 

What fun for Quebecers who know how to drive properly! 

Last year, around 140, 000 new Quebecers were trying to swap driving permits from their countries of origin for Quebec permits. That’s quite a pile of motorized unpredictability. 

 

SAAQ examiners apparently prepared a report, noting newly arrived foreign drivers tend to go through stop signs, cut other cars off, stop in the middle of the road, ignore crosswalks and fail to respect speed limits.  

 

Huh. 

 

I suddenly have a sinking feeling that giving them Quebec driving permits may be doing more harm than good. 

 

I think and, correct me if I’m wrong, the Quebec driving permit may be a license to keep driving stupidly, or worse.

 

Quebecers speed. Quebecers block passing lanes. Quebecers tailgate. Quebecers run stops. Quebecers ignore crosswalks. 

 

The mantra of the Quebec driver – you know it well…

Ignition. Accelerate. Drive stupid. Repeat. 

 

The bad news? I think we’re turning drivers from other countries into government-sanctioned Frankendrivers. 

 

The good news? If ever you need to make a quick buck driving a tuk tuk around downtown Jakarta in rush hour, you’re gonna fit right in.