If you’re going to drive in Haiti, get a firm grip of the steering wheel and hang on for dear life. Mezanmi! Driving in Haiti is a trip! If you drive in the Port-Au-Prince area, dodging pedestrians, street vendors, potholes and other vehicles should be second nature. You will even find yourself dodging household pets such as cats and dogs, and barnyard animals such as pigs, chickens, and even cows…right in the middle of the city! Since most streets do not have sidewalks, blowing your horn is usually the easiest way to get a person’s (or animal’s) attention. If you’re not used to it, your first experience is sure to have you screaming ‘Amwe!!’ behind the wheel.

Port-Au-Prince usually experiences virtual gridlock in the middle of the day. The city is infamous for its traffic jams which are locally known as ‘blokus.’ These jams can last for miles and keep you stranded for hours. Driving habits can be very undisciplined and erratic and the few traffic signals that work are rarely obeyed. On top of it all, unorganized construction projects encourage motorists to do whatever they can to get around them.

In Haiti, you drive on the right, similar to the United States, however due to frequent power outages, street lights are frequently used. Just observe all other drivers and proceed with caution. Some major roads utilize police officers to direct traffic. Follow their direction closely to know when to proceed, turn or stop.

Rout Delmas, which is a main thoroughfare connecting Port-Au-Prince to Pettionville is separated by huge concrete dividers to prevent cars from straying into the opposite lane. During the height of rush hour, street kids known as ‘kokorat’ go from car to car asking for handouts or trying to wash windshields. Usually, anything you have will appease them. (i.e. Candy, food or loose change.)

Haiti has many modes of transportation. The most expensive option, however, is driving your own car around. If you plan on buying or renting a car, you should choose one with a diesel engine which will be easier on your pockets when it comes to buying fuel. Also, unlike in the US, all gas stations have diesel pumps so the gas won’t be hard to find. Diesel costs about $9.50HD (approx $1.80US) per gallon and regular gas can cost up to $15.00HD (approx $2.75US) for unleaded. It is suggested you drive a 4X4 Jeep type vehicle (locally known as ‘Tet Bef’ (cow head)) since over 75% of the roads in Haiti are unpaved and in constant need of repair.

Your car should be insured and the police frequently check at cehckpoints . You can drive with any foreign driver’s license for up to three months. After 3 months, you will need to go down to the DMV (“Circulation”) on Delmas 2 and apply for a Haitian license.

Port-Au-Prince is infamous for Traffic Jams which can stretch for miles.	One of many accidents caused by unsafe road conditions and unsafe driving practices.

If you get into an accident you must stop and exchange license and registration information. However, if you hit a pedestrian in the wrong part of town, it is suggested that you do not stick around. Instead, locate your nearest police station to report the accident. This is highly recommended since people have occasionally gotten their cars overturned, burned and destroyed in anger by the local townspeople.

Hmmm....sort of like driving in midtown Manhattan during rush-hour!

- NJB - Delmas -
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