fbpx
Traffic > Appraisal

Philippines finally named worst place for driving

According to Waze’s 2017 Driver Satisfaction Index

  • We’re dead last among 40 countries, beating even Indonesia.
  • We were second-worst in the first two years of the survey.
  • The best country in motoring is again the Netherlands.

November 11, 2017

Driving is like playing a virtual-reality obstacle game for Filipino motorists. SCREENSHOT VIA WAZE

We finally did it! The Philippines is officially the very worst country in the world for driving, according to the 2017 Waze Driver Satisfaction Index. This is a big accomplishment for the country, considering we’ve secured the honor in only the third year of the survey. A round of beer for everyone.

In 2015, the first year of the study, the Philippines was merely second-worst among 32 countries, just behind Costa Rica. The year 2016 was another heartbreaker for the nation, as we again finished second-to-last among 38 countries, this time behind El Salvador.

Ah, there’s no beating us this year! At last, we’re the baddest of the bad among 40 nations—two were added this year—when it comes to motoring conditions, beating the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Indonesia and Russia. Hah!

If you live in Metro Manila and you now detest driving, we totally understand you. SCREENSHOT VIA WAZE

The survey takes into account the following factors (we’re quoting Waze verbatim):

  • Traffic (density and severity of traffic);
  • Quality (road quality and infrastructure);
  • Road safety (density of reported accidents, road hazards and weather);
  • Driver services (access to gas stations and easy parking);
  • Socioeconomic (access to cars and impact of gas prices); and
  • Wazeyness (happiness and helpfulness of the Waze community).

Based on these factors, the Philippines is “number one in the unhappy ranking.” Waze explains: “The island nation, while ranking among the top in driver services in the Asia-Pacific region, continues to struggle on traffic, Wazeyness and socioeconomic factors.”

The 2017 Waze Driver Satisfaction Index is a testament to our commitment to being horrible motorists. INFOGRAPHIC FROM WAZE

Meanwhile, the best country for driving is still the Netherlands. What a nation of losers! They’ve been named the best for the third straight year. They must now be lining up for a visa to move to the Philippines. Poor people. Rounding out the top five are France, the United States, the Czech Republic and Belgium.

Guys, we pity you. If you ever want to know what it’s like to drive dangerously like those buff actors in Fast & Furious, you’re all welcome to come to our republic. You need to experience the EDSA Grand Prix at least once in your life. There’s nothing like it.

Anyway, to our fellow Filipino motorists, one big fist bump! Okay, put down your smartphone now—eyes on the road, hands on the steering wheel.

V
Vernon B. Sarne

Vernon is the founder and editor-in-chief of VISOR. He has been an automotive journalist since July 1995. He became one by serendipity, walking into the office of a small publishing company and applying for a position he had no idea was for a local car magazine. God has watched over him throughout his humble journey. He writes the ‘Spoiler’ column.

Comments

Recommended Articles

Fresh Read

More Fresh Read