There have quite often been reports on the BTF about the strange road rules - if any - that apply in Bali. Accidents are bound to happen frequently, as I have seen enough encounters between especially motorbikes and cars, accidents that have resulted in damages to vehicles involved as well as to people (those on the bikes have normally been quite badly injured and have needed hospital care or, worse, a cremation).
I have experienced a close call when my driver fell asleep while driving and the car started moving over into the path of on-coming traffic. Before that he had tried to change gears and turn the steering wheel on a winding road while in a deep conversation using his hand-phone. The monkeys on the roadside ran for their lives and my heart pounded when the van eventually came to a stop halfway off the road. He thought it was very funny and could not stop laughing - or was it from shock?
The questions are many:
Who pays the bills as the transport guy may not have a license to transport tourists as passengers and most probably has no insurance - and no money, at least not enough? If the driver has no insurance to cover the repairs to his vehicle, the risk is that he cannot pay the damages to other vehicles or people either. If I am lucky my insurance company may pay any hospital bill or a medivac.
Will the driver or the owners/passengers of the other involved vehicle(s) come after me, the tourist passenger for the necessary funds - or will both parties chase me?
Many people in Bali know people in high places or have an uncle at the police station; people who certainly are willing for a percentage do their utmost to extort funds from the tourists, the walking wallets of any third world destinations.
One driver recommended me that if there is an accident, I better run as relatives and friends of the victim will take justice in their own hands before the policeman arrives. He told about numerous stories in the Indonesian media about train drivers, lorry drivers and ferry captains running away from the scene of an accident or going into hiding, probably fearing for their lives. Is there a risk for something similar to happen in Bali where the extended families are tight and family ties strong?
And, worse, let's say the driver of the car claims that you were driving - then how can that be explained as a plain lie? Or if he leaves you in the car to fend for yourself, while he himself runs for his life?
Is this pessimistic reasoning? No, I think not, it is a valid question and I wonder if anyone here has ever been involved in an accident with more than a few odd bruises and a small dent on the bumper of the car and minor scratches on the other vehicle. If yes, what happened? Who footed the bills? Did you have to leave Bali prematurely, never to return fearing retaliation?
If a driver with proper license to drive tourist is a better option as to insurance and minimising the risk of the tourist getting involved in any claims - can anyone recommend one of those drivers to me, please!
I am soon arriving in Bali and would prefer Bali to remain the Paradise we all want it to be and be able to see the countryside, the temples and other areas than just the vicinity of the hotel.