@Chiron
1. Do you drive in Indonesia? If so what is your vehicle (car, scooter, etc.), and what area(s) of the country have you experienced?
I've been driving and still drive most type of vehicles for the past 16 years in Indonesia. Motorbikes, cars, light trucks and even trucks (the latter, I admit, despite having the proper local driving license to do so). I even have removed a container truck from our warehouse parkway while the driver was sleeping, to the enjoyment of my staff.
I've been driving in Jakarta, Jogja and Surabaya and a few times between Jakarta and Jogja. I've been driving in Bali, Kalimantan, Maluku Utara and of course my island, Sulawesi. In Sulawesi I was used to drive several times a month on the transsulawesi between Manado and Palu with a few times all the way down Makassar.
2. Do you feel comfortable in traffic? Figured out how to adapt...
I feel comfortable but I have noticed that I've grown more intolerant toward idiots over the years and I don't hesitate to let them know. I am rather explosive and easy to ignite. I have always hoped that with the age I would improve. Unfortunately, I don't. That's a side of me I'd like to handle better but I guess I am tired of seeing people endangering themselves and, more annoyingly, others.
3. Any trouble from the Polisi? Unfair fines, tickets, etc.
I could write a book about it with many tries, especially down the Transsulawesi. However, though I had legal tickets for a few things I deserved like riding without helmet, driving or being a passenger in a car without seat belt and various other things, I paid only twice a bribe. It was years ago, in my first years here in Indonesia. Once Rp 20.000 in Bali for a driving offense I committed and once Rp 25.000 worth of pulsa to a funny cop here in Manado.
I live in a provincial city where foreigners aren't that many. You quickly know many of the cops, and more importantly they all know you very fast. I guess that in the past 16 years they either all become honest or they have understood that there was no money to grab with us. Whenever there is a sweeping I slow down, smile, shout a "Hey komdan!" while waving a hand, got a formal salute in return and go my way without being pulled over most of the time.
4. Any accidents? What happened, if you care to share?
Beside driving I also manage a passenger and merchandise transportation operation. Being the legal owner of about half of our vehicles I've had to negotiate settlement for a few cases, some nastier than others, some involving just material damages, some more sensitive, involving minor injuries and one involving injuries which could have been classified as
luka berat (ie. serious body injuries). So far I can't say that my
buleness has disadvantaged me or made a victim of me. I wouldn't deny that some may have thought that they had a winning lottery ticket in hand, but they had to come back to reality if it was the case.
When I or any of our driver, have been wrong we have settled it quickly and amicably. When we haven't been wrong we have either received payment for the damage or have given up when the damages were minor and the other party was simply unable to compensate us. A civil suit would be pointless whatever the case is, but if the damage only involves a couple of hundred rupiah and a person obviously can't pay, it would just be ridiculous to kick, scream and roll on the floor for it.
5. How does Indonesian auto insurance work? Will it protect an expat from the liability issues that may be encountered in an accident?
In my experience they work surprisingly well for material damage.
Just be aware that you would not find insurances for some type of vehicles (like scooters and trucks for example) and that many vehicles which are more than 5 years of age are either difficult to insure or can only be done at a ridiculous premium. I've recently made an inquiry for some 2011 Toyota Avanza to my insurance company. When they send me the quotation I thought that the figure they gave me was for the 3 vehicles while it was for only 1.
6. For those from right side driving countries, how did you adjust to left side - and especially with the Indonesian traffic factor to contend with?
I come from a right side driving country and have been driving in countries driving left, right, middle or off road. Not much difference imho. Just keep focused at ALL time, steer left and right to avoid others and don't ask yourself "Have I the right away" and other sh1t like that which have little meaning here. Just avoid the damn cars surrounding you. Expect the unexpected.
7. Do you choose not to drive? If so, why, and how do you make that work for you?
All our drivers drive like sh1t save for one. He's the one driving/picking up my kids to/from school. It took me 15 years to dig this jewel.
In the past two years, I've find out that I enjoy that my wife drives me around. She's (slightly) more tolerant with idiots that I am.
