Parisian drivers are certifiably insane. I knew walking around that drivers here are crazy, but I did not realize the extent until I was in the car with two different Uber drivers for an hour and a half. I tried and I mean really tried to grasp their rules of the road, but I only managed to learn two.
1. Commit to everything.
Even if it looks like you are about to hit something or someone, you keep going because if you hesitate that is how you wreck. Other people will slam on their brakes or make just as stupid of decision too. It is like a never-ending game of chicken.
2. Cause as much chaos as possible.
I watched as my Uber driver passed a line of cars waiting to turn, slammed on his brakes, and then cut everyone off to turn first. The most amazing thing was that it was accepted. There was no beeping or flipping him off. One of my Uber drivers created his own lane. The motorcyclists here sure are trusting of their abilities too. They ride on the line to pass all the traffic and cut people off, but how do they fit? There was more than once the handle bar was less than an inch from the car, and they never hesitated. I watched at least two almost accidents every minute, but I never saw one actually happen. The most mind-blowing thing was that it worked. There was order in the chaos, and all the drivers knew how to toe the line.
All I know is that I have never been so glad I wasn’t driving the car.