Unless you’ve been asleep every time you took a cab ride then you may have noticed a peculiar rhythm style of driving that seems only to exist in Hong Kong. The rhythm I refer to is when the driver presses the accelerator pedal with his right foot for a second or two and then lifts his foot off then presses again for another one or two seconds and lifts off the gas again – it’s not just a taxi thing either – it appears to exist in any motorised vehicle with an accelerator pedal. Thankfully, MTR trains don’t have accelerator pedals, otherwise it would be an insane and infuriating experience, I think you’d agree.

Personally, I have a healthy respect for Hong Kong taxi drivers and the good quality of service that is offered to customers but I personally don’t like the will-I-or-won’t-I driving style. I’m not pre-occupied by it but it does make me want to drive the taxi myself – and put the driver in the back seat; I’ll happily pay the fare as well! If only they could drive smoothly for a change because the particular method of driving is on the brink of bad driving, and I know they deserve a better reputation. It’s a pity because driving in Hong Kong is generally easy and virtually safe compared to many other developed cities.

I’m not sure if there is a method in the madness of driving like this or if it’s a style taught in driving schools all over Hong Kong. It could be environmentally friendly for all I know but so far I’ve yet to find a plausible answer that would lead me to say – oh, I see, that’s worth putting up with the constant back-and–forth motion! I would love to see Hong Kong taxis in particular, take advantage of the pancake-flat surfaces and give the punters a smoother ride – and perhaps you may just fall asleep due to comfort and not work fatigue!

Tags: driving, Hong Kong, taxi, taxi drivers