Suzhou Drivers: Wild Ride or Smooth Cruise? #SuzhouAdventures

[Karen Bruen]

Wow, I must express my dissatisfaction with the drivers in Suzhou!

• I don't know why, but during my visit to Suzhou, almost every driver I encountered made me feel quite uncomfortable!
• They drove with such intensity, resembling participants in an F1 race; very aggressive and competitive—using a popular term, they were somewhat "tough as a bull."
  • "Tough as a bull" might not be familiar to everyone. In essence, it describes overly aggressive, impatient men who don't consider others' feelings and think they're invincible. When it comes to driving, it may refer to a "reckless" driving style, characterized by lane hogging, sudden braking, and rapid acceleration.
• ️ A reminder to friends planning to visit Suzhou:
  • If you take a taxi or ride-hailing service in Suzhou:
    • Please fasten your seat belt first! This is essential!
    • Also, prepare yourself mentally for potentially more "adventurous" driving styles.
    • If you feel uncomfortable, or if the driver engages in risky behavior (such as prolonged phone use while driving), you may kindly remind them, or end the trip early to switch to another vehicle. Safety always comes first!
  • How to avoid unpleasant experiences?
    • Actually, Suzhou has quite convenient subway and bus systems that can get you to many scenic spots. Although it may take longer, you won't have to experience "Fast & Furious."
    • If you travel with a few people and don't want to rely on public transportation, you may consider pre-booking better-reviewed car rental services and communicate with the drivers beforehand to hope they drive more steadily.

[Ms. Wanda Kilback]

Just got back today and had the exact same experience. I took a taxi from Suzhou Station to my guesthouse – it was a short ride. But the driver was speeding the whole time, complaining that he'd 'wasted' hours waiting. How is that my problem? If they can't handle short fares, they shouldn't be queuing up for them.

[Ms. Beatrice Abernathy]

That's their job. If they're not happy with it, they can quit. I really don't understand why this is so common; it's not just a few isolated cases.

[Wesley Parisian-Kerluke IV]

It's the overall environment. If Suzhou doesn't crack down on traffic violations, its reputation will only get worse.

[Kay Oberbrunner]

They really need to sort this out. It's seriously damaging the city's image. [Crying emoji reference]

[Cathy Gulgowski]

Question it, understand it, join them, become one of them.

[Pat Pagac]

Ride-hailing cars are all electric now. They accelerate incredibly fast from a stop, making it easy to get carsick.

[Timothy Denesik]

Ride-hailing services are pretty much the same everywhere, aren't they? More than them driving fast, I hate it most when they're on their phones, eating, or smoking while driving at a snail's pace.

[Madeline Hermann III]

Yell back at them!

[Antoinette Ferry]

Otherwise, how else would they earn the nickname 'Suzhou Pilots'?

[Johnathan Schmeler]

More than half the people in Suzhou are from out of town. And if you exclude the local elderly who don't drive, how many of the drivers on the road are actually Suzhou natives?

[Melody Jacobi]

Oh right, it's all people from out of town. As if Hangzhou and Shanghai have no outsiders, huh?

[Bonnie Beatty]

When I hired a driving instructor in Suzhou to practice, they told me you don't need to use turn signals when changing lanes.

[Iris Marquardt]

Definitely not me.

[Joseph Thompson]

Why not just say that drivers generally have poor standards?