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| Driving in Santiago |
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When you’re driving a car in Santiago, you’ll recognize that you are in a million-metropolis. Drivers honk, push, bluster and swear. The Chileans seem to be quite aggressive drivers, but international traffic rules are much more respected than in many other Latin American countries.
Nevertheless, the streets of Santiago are always crowded and this might create a chaotic impression at the beginning. A few years ago, the Transantiago – a “re-launch” of the public bus and metro system - was introduced. For car drivers, it is important to know that one, respectively two lanes, on each of Santiago’s main roads, are provided for buses and taxis only. They are separated by a yellow median and may not be used by normal cars. However, you will probably see a lot of cars using the bus lanes. We advise caution, since the lanes are sometimes controlled by video cameras and the police will stop you in case of noncompliance. The quality of streets in Santiago in general is quite good; however, some parts are in bad condition. Be careful with potholes! The Chilean government makes efforts to improve the pavement little by little. Especially pay attention during rush hours. Some of the main roads change their driving direction during peak hours and traffic only runs in one direction on all lanes. Avenida Andrés Bello Costanera, for example, only runs from East to West between 7.30am and 10am and from West to East between 5pm to 9pm. The same applies to Avenida Presidente Riesco: between 7.30am and 12pm, traffic flows westwards and between 5pm to 9pm only eastwards. The street Salvador changes its driving direction from North to South during the morning and afternoon as well. Santiago has plenty of one-way-streets. You can recognize them by arrows on street signs indicating the driving direction. Please pay attention to this, before you turn onto a street. Generally speaking, sign are posted is quite well in Santiago. The further you get to the East of the city, the easier you’ll find your way. In Santiago’s poorer neighborhoods and in the city center, many of the traffic signs are sprayed with graffiti. Sometimes sign-postings don’t even exist or stop before the destination is reached. In case of any doubt, try to orientate yourself by the Andes or the next largest street. Speed-limit in Santiago is mostly 50 km/h if not indicated otherwise and should be followed, since it is controlled by local policemen. You’ll meet so-called “parking assistants“ in Santiago and all over Chile. Some of them are employed by the municipality. They assist drivers in parking their cars – no matter whether it’s necessary or not – and watch your car while you’re gone. Those, who are officially employed, receive a specified parking tax that is determined by the municipality. “Freelancers” usually work during the evening and night and expect a tip for their service. Depending on the duration of your stay, it is common practice to pay between 300 and 1,000 Chilean Pesos. Santiago’s beltways and express highways are equipped with a very modern automatic toll-system, which was introduced in 2004 and is constantly enlarged. Every car has to have a TAG (small electronic device on the windshield inside the car) that is synchronized with the transmission masts along the highways, which automatically register the amount of toll. Our rental cars are also equipped with this device and the sum will either be charged in a lump sum, or when you return the car (depending on the car rental agency). In general, gas is cheaper in Santiago than outside the city. One liter costs approximately 1.20 USD (93, 95 und 97 Octane), Diesel is less expensive and costs about 0.90 USD. Fueling in Chile is very convenient: filling station attendants work at almost every gas station; they refuel your car, clean your car windows and control the oil and water level if desired. The gas can easily be paid with credit card and you don’t even have to leave your car during the whole tanking process. The attendants expect a little tip for their help and assistance. During fall and winter time, the air-pollution caused by smog in Santiago is extremely high. Hence, restrictions apply to the use of certain cars in Santiago between 7.30am and 9pm. The restriction depends on the last cipher on the license tag and usually affects cars without cathalyser. Cars with cathalyser are marked by a green label at their wind screen. If the air pollution is very bad, cars with cathalyser are also excluded from traffic. The daily restriction, if any, can be found in the newspapers, radio news or on the following website www.uoct.cl.
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