WWW Wild Wild Warsaw

Naturally in Warsaw where I am happily spending this Easter 2007 I insist on doing all the driving. You might think this is a naturally charming and Gentlemanly option, so that my partner can happily study the many changes that her home town presents each time we visit.

But dig just a little deeper and the truth will out. Warsaw is a large and sprawling town, connected with pothole ridden 2 and often 3 lane highways. Next you have to factor in the total lack of any speed cameras, the absence of lane control or indicating and the plethora of modern family and higher performance saloons and coupes. Polonez and Fiat Malutki are history. Todays driver is more likely to be seen in the latest Lexus, Mercedes or Porsche Cayenne.

Warsaw then a racetrack, where the average Polish male proves that driving at speeds as high as 120Km per hour within the city centre can really get you from A to B just that little bit quicker than grandma at 60Km/h.

Forget your English track days, here is full on adrenalin seeking excitement. Cross 3 lanes of the highway without indicating take the next exit .. no problem. Keep people guessing by never using your indicators ... well of course. Floor the accelerator at each traffic light ... standard practice.

By adopting this driving style you will be accepted into the Polish capitals driving majority.

Or by not doing all of the above (I always indicate for example) you can claim the moral high ground.

One thing is for sure, London drivers arriving Warsaw are in for a shock, and if the Warsaw local government ever manage to implement speed cameras within the city, well there will probably be a revolution.