Would you have a Mercedes to drive at 35 kph Max?

This is The Bermuda Highway

When American visitors first visit the island the first thing that they notice is that Bermuda drives  on the left. The second thing they notice is that they never ever find the main highway. Nothing like what they left in the United States. Most people think their king-sized mattress is wider than Bermuda's roads. The continuous middle unbroken line is the same throughout the system. Overtaking in never legally sanctioned.

So, why on earth would you buy a top performing car such as a Mercedes or BMW? You wouldn't do so for any practical reason, because it is highly unlikely that you will ever reach fifth gear. Not only are the roads very narrow, they are also congested. The island is controlled by a law that allows only one car per household. However, when Bermuda's economy was raging people bought their own homes just so they could have their own cars. Now, Bermuda has too many homes and too many cars.

Government tried to discourage the high-end cars by applying an import tax of 110% of the landed value of these cars. Clearly you would have to have more money than you knew what to do with to buy these cars. The fact is that many people who want to show off are doing just that.

The most popular car on the island has become the American Jeep, especially the Jeep Patriot right hand drive.  I personally like this particular model and I think I would have this car if I lived there.

Add to the tiny roads and the massive traffic buildup the fact that Bermuda has a fleet of buses that are driven by the most expert drivers, as well as trucks delivering cargo containers to and from ships. The chaos is incredible and calls for totally sober drivers who are focused.

Oh! Did I mention the tourists on their mopeds who are anything but focused?

Happy motoring folks! Small wonder the maximum speed limit is 35 kph.

Copyright (c) 2014  Eugene Carmichael