http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspxBy Ian Williams, NBC News correspondent I was sitting in solid traffic in downtown Tehran when the rebellion began – a handful of honking horns, quickly rising to a deafening crescendo, as more and more cars joined in. The traffic lights ahead had beenen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#94958Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:01:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94958Iranian, Upland, CaI can relate to your column so much!! It gave me the chills!! As an Iranian, living in States for many years, who loves her country but can not stand the traffic and the driving. Whatever u mentioned in your column was so true and real. Taxi Drivers and their philosophy, is amazing and true!! By the way, u forgot to mention that all this craziness is due to the last minute shopping for the Persian New Year!!!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#94959Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:01:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94959Ali, Dallas, Tx.I have driven in Tehran. I actually feel comfortable with it (maybe because I drive the same way in Texas, just kidding). I think rule number three should have been, "don't give anyone an inch, and take every opportunity to get an inch on the other cars"http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95012Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:28:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95012Sarah. columbia, scwow, it amazes me that this is new to you...this has been going on since god knows when and is completely normal...now that the news light in constantly shining on Iran and the conflicts that are going on between Iran and the US...your trying to make the Iranians sound like animals..."snarling beast??" the fact is how can you judge a country and especially their people on how they drive in rush hour???? how this makes sense to you in your head is beyond me!! If driving and road rage are the issues at hand then why dont we look at our own driving here..in the US...when one person getting out of a car and starts beating another man to death be cause cut him off in the middle of the road without signaling....i think this is something that should be addressed also...so now, mr. news reporter, answer this question...how seems like the animal now???? http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95013Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:29:24 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95013Arman Mavai, Boston, MA (formerly Tehran, Iran)Having lived in Tehran, I can attest to the accuracy of the article. I used to think that the reason for Tehran's horrible traffic or the high accident rate in the country as a whole was due to the fact that people do not have any respect for the lawmakers and therefore no respect for the laws. I have since come to realize that only partially explains the situation. The real reason is that people don't know how to drive. They never learn the proper rules of the road. The people who are supposed to uphold these rules (the policemen) are generally illiterate and ignorant of the driving laws and regulations. In fact this point is perhaps contributing to the people's general mistrust of the law makers.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95039Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:45:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95039Dan, Chicagogreat story good to see stories about the average people doing thins we cn all relate to.And maybe make some folks feel better about local trffic.It also show we may have more in common with the iranians then we might think.I could see Tipper Gore peering in car windows at teenagers trying to stop teen pregnancyhttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95058Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:52:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95058Pat, MichiganNo rules exists in Iran for driving. No tickets are issued. Most accidents are settled by the loser of the fist fight pays the damages. I lived it and sounds from this recent letter, nothing new has changed. Chalk one up for the 3rd world country ran by Mullahs!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95068Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:56:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95068shawn , minneapolis, mn.traffic is proof that the mullahs in iran are too preaccupied with nonsense basij millitia who force their way of religion onto peaple. and blame their economic failior on the rest of the world thinking the great people of iran realy belives them.but yet they can not control traffic in iranian cities and provive a simple safe trantportation for its citizens.or any basic needs for that matter. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95137Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:28:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95137Charles S. Oakville, Canada As a former member of IRAN Air I lived and worked in Tehran during the "good days"! Back then, the traffic (from what you describe) has not changed at all, so this is nothing new. Was this article compiled for us mere mortals to find the deliberate mistakes? In which case what do I win? You failed to mention the drainage ditches that many vehicles fall into during the night. You failed to mention that most vehicles do not use their indicators or lights at night. You failed to mention the motorcycles drive on the sidewalk to avoid hitting cars at night, but are quite willing to risk hitting a pedestrian. Nice attempt at describing what was once a beautiful place to live and work. As my dear mother used to say. “If you cannot find something nice to say, it is best to say nothing at all”. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95157Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:35:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95157Cheryll Peterman, Independence, MissouriThis sounds just like it was 30 years ago when we lived in Tehran for several months. Crossing a street on foot (and some of the main roads are several lanes across)with two little children was a scary and challenging feat. The traffic always seemed heavy, no matter the time of day. We didn't drive while living there but experienced about everything mentioned in the article plus being involved in a minor traffic accident. We had been told to leave the scene and not wait for police, so walked the remaining eight blocks to our kuche (alley). We had a wonderful Turkish driver, however, whom I fondly remember. I always felt safe with him. Cheryllhttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95166Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:40:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95166Matt, Omaha, NESarah from SC evidently didn't actually read the article. The author says the cars were like a pack of snarling beasts, not the drivers... Also, he's not at all judging Iran by the way people drive - not in this article, and especially not considering the many articles about Iran, not just this one. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95171Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:42:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95171Shahin, Wappingers Falls, NYI have a story of my own to relate. In the summer of 1976 when I was in the 11th grade my parents enrolled me for 10 driving lessons with - a well seasoned driver in Tehran. He was only a few years my senior at the time. Lesson 1 - put the paykan (Iranian made car) in reverse and back out of an alley with a ditch (jube - in farsi)down the middle and not more than a few inches to spare on each side. The paykan side mirrors had already been stolen os that gave me a few more inches of clearance. Lesson 2 - as we are driving one of the most congested streets (Shemiran), the instructor talked me through a series of maneuvers from the center lane between other darting cars all the way to the shoulder, in between two vendor carts, so he could have a few words with three young girls (in tight jeans) who were walking on the sidewalk. I think you get the picture how the rest of the lessons went. I had to be heavily de-programmed when I got my learner's permit a few years later in Indiana.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95176Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:46:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95176kevin, Plainville, KSWow, now I know why I moved from Pittsburgh, PA to Kansas, no traffic! I enjoy driving 30 miles in 25 minutes, it is a beautiful thing. As far as Sarah from SC is concerned, you reported what you have seen and heard. Sarah, why are you so mad about this report. Do you live in fear that W's will send his goons out on street to make sure you are doing what you should be doing? You can say what ever you want, this is a great country to live in, you and I can say whatever we want and not have to worry about threats, terror or anything else from our Government!! http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95187Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:50:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95187Randy Twin Falls, IdahoSo the people in Iran have the same driving frustrations as people everywhere else? It's a reminder we all share the same flaw...being human. It's too easy these days to loose track of that.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95193Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:53:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95193carole, Bethlehem, PAI found this article interesting-including the comments from ex-pat from Tehran. Also, I understood that the reference to 'snarling beasts' was to the CARS, not the people of Iran. In many ways, it reminds me of driving the PA Turnpike- especially exiting the toll booths where 10 lanes turn into 2. Don't give an inch!!!! Similarly, I think many otherwise law-abiding American drivers will break traffic laws and make up their own road rules on a daily basis!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95203Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:58:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95203Yassi, NYCI live in the USA. I grow up in Tehran, driving! Tehran drivers are best drivers in the world because of all you just read! They will manage anything. I went back 4 years ago and I didn't like how crowded Tehran has become, but I driving there is a big challenge and I LOVE IT! Its all action and anything can happen. I love the thrill of driving in Tehran streets! I just hated the air pullotion and some rude passengers in the airport.... I can't wait until I go back there and DRIVE!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95244Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:19:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95244Joe, St. Louis, MOThis is nothing! Try driving in Downtown Chicago! :)_http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95253Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:26:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95253Yankee Zephyr, Olympia WAReminds me of driving in new york city or any large city in america...the me first attitude.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95256Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:32:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95256BillyS, Corpus ChristiDriving in Bombay was like that too. There were only two rules in Bombay. First, paint the mirrors black. Who cares what's behind you. Second, the bigger vehicle has the right of way. After that, all bets were off.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95267Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:37:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95267Denver Colorado USAI can relate. Although, I was just a pup when I lived in Teheran (1967), I remember the road battles my father enjoyed (playing chicken with 2 dbl decker buses)! My first hint things were different was upon our arrival to Teheran and the ride from the airport to the hotel. Our taxi driver was in the extreme right lane and needed to turn left to head in the other direction. Right in the middle of the block, not at an intersection, he starts nudging over 8 lanes. Horns blaring and hand gestures being offered in protest. As we got to the other side, traffic was blocked but the sidewalk was fairly open (except the unfortunate pedestrians) so it was used for a block or two until we got to the hotel.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#95269Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:38:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:95269Billy, Palm Springs, CASarah from SC needs to lighten up and re-read the article! Nothing in it was a slight on the people of Iran. I lived in Athens in the late 70's and believe me, the description of the driving in Tehran sounds EXACTLY like driving in Athens!! Lights, lanes, and right of way be damned...it was always full speed ahead!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96141Wed, 21 Mar 2007 02:33:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96141B. R. Badri, Hong Kong.If the West really sirious in solving Iran problem by diplomatic way, then they should not have any precondition for negotiation. If they had done this before, by now solution may have been found. It is never late, unless West (specially USA) has something else in mind then talking publicly.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96144Wed, 21 Mar 2007 02:36:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96144Ric Tujunga, CaliforniaBangkok, Thailand. Not all congested cities are the same, nor their social norms. A city thriving on congestion and pollution from vehicles. My impression was that traffic rules were merely a suggestion, however no horns honking and no rude gestures, no abrupt cutting off or challenging behavior. Rush hour last minute changing lanes, crossing over barrier lines, etc. were routine with Police present. Others relinguished the space to save face not to appear angered. To the Thai society the one that loses composure is the one doing the wrong. Thai Philosophy can be surmised in this one colloquialism ............Mai Pen Rai (never mind, it's not important)http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96159Wed, 21 Mar 2007 02:56:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96159DarellTypical puff piece pandering to a terrorist nation. MSNBC and NBC must be wanting to make financial inroads to Iran and the rest of the MIddle East. Start out with pretentious human interest stories to show that you will be a completely harmless shill for a terroistic state.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96185Wed, 21 Mar 2007 03:16:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96185Eddie Deskins Indore, WVHaving the honor of driving in Teheran, I observed also, it seemed, the first auto at a intersection has the right-of-way regardless of the color of the light. I used to sit for hours watching the speeding trafic in downtown Teheran.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96227Wed, 21 Mar 2007 03:56:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96227Elissa, UtahI can see how some Iranians may think that this article portrays their culture in a negative light. But really, I think the article gives its American readers a chance to see that while our cultures may be different, we all can understand the frustrating and sometimes comical behavior brought about by bad traffic.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96229Wed, 21 Mar 2007 03:56:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96229Hasan, Raleigh, NCI think this situation is just like any other big city. I know myself that when I visit my home country of Pakistan it is just the same as you described in Tehran. I feel as though I am in a video game only I hate the fact that if you crash you can't start over. But I will say it is sad to hear of the deaths caused by these accidents especially since Iranian women are so beautiful.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96230Wed, 21 Mar 2007 03:56:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96230NareHi ,I'm not seprised at all .every where has that problem .I'm an Armenian from Iran .the important part is that they don't care to killing people just becouse they don't like the government.1 is if you are not muslem who care's about you 2 if you are woman.but there is some just some kind people still there which I can't see that kindness in other Christian countries at all .as I am Christian I can say that.see and open your eyes and brain carefuly what I want to say.nxst time.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96240Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:05:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96240CHRISOk,Ive got ya all beat. There is nothing worse than the Long Island Expressway at the height of the Holiday shopping season. ! and how about the mall parking lots ? a little old lady will run you over just to get big screen TV on sale !! Long Island is the worst traffic nightmare ! But , we still love it. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96267Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:17:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96267Song Yu Oklahoma City, OklahomaHonestly this article has been well done. I liked it. Feels like I am watching the food channel or travel channel, where you can feel and taste... ya know. Glad I am not living in Tahran... I cannot stand traffic... sometimes it gets on my nerve even though I am living in Oklahoma City, (considered as leisure traffic, most of the places" hahahttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96273Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:31:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96273Tiger 7, KabulTeheran? Try living in Kabul. The driving experience here is exponentially a lot worse than Iran, or even Dubai for that matter. Believe it.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96293Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:45:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96293dolly,indiaWell written - I think this is true in many places around the world. Plus, your correspondent is cute!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96297Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:50:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96297ALIWhy are you there in Iran at this critical time? Hmmm just wondering if this is in preparation to be the lead TV media when US strikes Iran?? Anyway, while you are there, can you write soemthing about Iran lack of essential spare parts to fly its civilian planes safely -thanks to the mighty US policy- as a result of which hundreds of innocent human lives were lost as planes falls off the sky!! Covering a silly traffic congestion in Tehran -and having people here in US including iranian immigrants- debate about it seems very nonesenseical in a time where more than 100 thousand iraqi killed during the US invasion. I think Iran should strive to achieve nuclar power to protect itself -and the muslim world- from the new crusaders!!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96307Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:04:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96307Noraini Kuala Lumpur MalaysiaIf you are not good at the wheels forget about driving in Teheran.Who says you do not get a ticket if you break the traffic laws? You do if you are not lucky!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96310Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:06:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96310Dave, MOThe traffic here in the U.S. is almost the same. From the description of everything in the story, I thought he was in Overland Park, KS. If you are in the middle of a three lane avenue, and the lanes are reduced to two lanes just up the road.....the race is on. The person in the lane about to be eliminated absolutely knows that lane is ending and will issue a challenge every time. As the Yankee Zephyr says, it's "me first".http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96314Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:10:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96314Mohamed, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia is officially th most congested country in the world with 60 cars per Km of road paved. Take away inter city highways and country roads and that figure rises and KSA also has one of the highest Fatality rates in the world due to traffic accidents. In short, Iranians have got nothing on Saudis :Phttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96315Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:11:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96315Mickey, San Antonio, TXI couldn't help but laugh when I read this article. And I thought driving in big city Texas was bad? Kudos to all those brave enough to drive in Tehran who lived to tell about it! (just kidding). If I ever have opportunity to go there, I'll remember to find a good taxi driver; better to let him handle it than me.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96321Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:19:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96321syOne time I was crossing Shariati street, which is 6 lanes one way (right in front of Park Shariati)... it totally reminds me of playing that popular 1980's video game, "Frogger": traffic coming at you about 50 miles an hour, run across one lane, wait for another gap while traffic is zooming by you, run across another lane, stop, pray as the zooming cars are mere inches from you...try to run all the way across...i swear, i thought i was gonna die! when i drive i feel like mario andretti, it's a rush, i love it! it sucks to be stuck in a taxi on a hot june day with maghnaeh on, oh, the traffic, the pollution. but there's no place like tehran, no place in the world!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96322Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:21:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96322Ali, Islamabad, PakistanWhy has this issue become so important suddenly to be mentioned here??? Is Iran the only country left in the world with traffic problems???http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96323Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:23:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96323Amir, Dublin, CAI live in San Francisco area and believe me driving in the city can be very similar to Teheran or any other major cities. People are the same all over the world and face the same life challenges including driving no matter where they live. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96327Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:24:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96327Alireza A, IranI want to say that this report is a bias, a bias from a reporter that has a lot of enemy with Iranian people and he want to use this opportunity to make his aim.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96328Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:24:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96328Helen Santek, Ontario, CanadaMy sister and I had the great pleasure of taking a road trip in 1975 through Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Greece. Our starting point and ending point was the Milan airport at which we took charge of a pre-arranged Fiat rental. The traffic conditions your write-ins describe were prevalent in each and everyone of them except strangely enough in Bulgaria which was then governed by a communist government and where,I felt as safe behind the wheel as I would have in any orderly Canadian city. The roads although although in great physical condition and much fewer vehicles than today, were absolutely wild! Now that I am in my most senior years I would never be crazy enough to repeat that experience. So your readers who mention similar conditions throughout Europe and the Middle East were right on the mark.It is not exclusive to any one country on the continent. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96337Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:34:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96337Don, Irvine, CaliforniaTo Sarah and Yassi, To be able to speak freely in America is a great freedom. The author of this article was not pointing fingers, they are showing us we are all in the same boat if you drive in a major city. I drive in OC & LA(Orange County & Los Angeles). It's Crazy... 10+ Lane highways??? On a side note, I believe I speak for all Americans when I say "If you don't love it, leave it!" and "if somewhere else is better than here? Why are you here? Go home" GBA (God Bless ALL) http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96342Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:40:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96342Joe, Los Angeles, CaliforniaYou never mentioned cellphones! Iran must have cellphones! Knowing how cellphone use by auto drivers in America has caused a huge increase in traffic accidents, I'm concerned that Tehran has something new to look forward to that will exacerbate an already impossible commute to anywhere! http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96346Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:43:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96346I.Gonzalez, Tehran Peace! I have been living in Iran for 5 years now and this story is a story which reflests human nature - nothing to do with 3rd world countries and mullahs. While 27 years in the US I saw the same thing, especially when people are younger like around the universities. People just like to rebel. I always argue with the Iranians who complain why they must wear seatbelts, shouldn't run red lights, drive on the wrongside, etc... Its really hillarious when they declare Fridays and holidays Azar -free- anything goes! People always ask me why do I wait for the walk signal to change green. I always say that I love my life and don't wish to die today! Anyway, life in Iran is like a spice rack, full of interesting experiences that has really changed my way of thinking and I wish others in "developed" countries would stop sticking their noses up at others in developing countries, and understand that the entire world mustn't think, live and exist like us - of course they should educate their citizens to respect and obey traffic laws as irresponsible driving my endanger others' lives. Just my thoughts in Tehran. Happy Persain New Year!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96356Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:51:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96356Terri Adams, Beijing, ChinaThis could have been written by a ex-pat from China. Here there is total chaos, automobile owners are the new emperors. Everyone must kowtow to the driver, who does not honor crosswalks, pedestrian green lights, or sidewalks. If there are any traffic laws at all, they are not enforced. As they did not consider parking cars a priority in building apartments or businesses, parked cars take every little walking space afforded, forcing pedestrians to walk in the streets. Beijing is bad, Shanghai is worse.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96357Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:54:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96357Sid,washington,Did these mullah came to power to run a country or teach us our islam ?well they fail at both miserably. They run the country in dark ages old roads,old cars and buses the worst trafic accidents in the world almost every family lost a member in an auto accidents .Your story is true http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96360Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:01:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96360Hakim, Texas and AfghanistanWow if you guys think driving in Iran is bad, then you should check out the driving scene in Afghanistan. I have been here for 5 years now and when i get people from the States visiting me, they are shocked to see how I am able to drive here and not get in any accident. Knock on wood, but so far no accidents. The way I see it is the people in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are much better drivers than your average Joe in the States. This is to the fact that everyone in these countries are more aware when driving than people in the States who are more of a Robot drivers. Sure there is no driving laws here, but if you had the same road conditions and small roads they have here, and put an average Joe from the States behind a car here, he will get in soo many accidents due to the fact that he will be driving like a robot and not be aware of his surroundings.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96365Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:18:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96365Eric, Omaha, NESeems to me the author could have written this story and used cities like Detroit, Chicago, LA or twenty other American cities...and no one would have known the difference. It's a small world, after all!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96366Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:19:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96366Peter, Dallas, TXWhat I remember best about driving in the Iranian countryside was how at night so many drivers went without their headlights on, presumably to save electricity! http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96367Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:20:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96367Payam, Plano, TxAs an Iranian-American i can tell you I have experienced allot of what goes on in Iran. Every 2 years i go and visit for about a mounth or so. Iranians are good people, the news mostly potrays the bad outta every so called "evil" country. Iran is not evil, its in fact glorious! Yeah there are some traffic problems there, but i dont blame the drivers... i blame the condition or the streets, and the effectiveness of there signs. the asphalt is poor quality and the street lights are not nearly as accurate compaired to the ones in the US. But i do tell you, if you compaired average Iranian driver to the average american driver, hands down Iranians would be victorius. iranians naturally learn how to out menuver other vehicles and as well drive defencivly. they learn to drive in unbearible conditions and still be able to carry on a conversation. they learn from there mistakes. its not like in the us where a spoiled rich teenage girl gets a brand new bmw or lexus and drives while on the phone or talking, not "concentraiting" and ends up hitting someone. mabye even killing someone. u cant say iranians are bad drivers, they drive like that because they have to. the governent needs more funding to create better, more reliable roads. like in the us. unlike in the US, if a girl wreaks her paykan or kia there is no money to simply buy a new one. cars there are almost 3 times more expensive than in the US. thats why many taxi's are paykans. cuz there cheap, reliable, and last long through the extreame weather and driving conditions. but why is this article soo important that it was on the msn home page? why, because it pertained to Iran? and that it would build a sence of incompatance to iranian drivers? well, even if, the news has gone to far in potraying Iran as an enemy. they find almost any excuse to diss irans way of life. its very diss respectfull. Why dont you talk about the amazine scenery, the wonderus mountains covered in fresh fluffy snow? there is alot of respect in iran that people dont see, i went to my cousins work there and everyone greeted me like i was family. every room i sat in a man would gently put down he work and bring me a cup of chahee (tea). i would never want to live to see all that gratness be destroyed. i hope people could fill there hearts with love instead of hate. because "life is to short to live by hate" (American History X) -happy new year! http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96377Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:47:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96377Lynda, Chicago, Il.i loved ur article, being a navy wife, we have been stationed all over the world an ur article brought back wonderful memories of large cities where we have been stationed, Manila, Stockholm, London, Tokyo and many large US cities, they all have something in common, drivers are crazy everywhere, and Sarah, u need to re-read the article...lighten up woman, nothing was said about the people being beasts....the CARS u silly womanhttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96381Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:03:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96381Ali,Orange,CA.Today is Persian New Year when Winter turns into spring. Happy Norooz. Here in the U.S. we have a skewed view of the universe. We have a strong set of rules and regulations that are fiercely enforced. I was born in Iran and have lived in several other countries. The taxi drivers in Italy put MadMax and the Thunderdome to shame. The drivers in France and Greece are often no better. For a real treat, try being a pedestrian on the roads in Jamaica especially at night; or how about driving on dirt roads deep inside Mexico or the Autobahn in Germany (where you will be run over unless you're driving at a ridiculously fast speed). It seems like the world is an unsafe place to drive, Tehran is no different. I do recall that before the revolution things were much different. Iranian people are for the most part very kind and hospitable, and as I recall used to drive much better. There were police officers on the roads, tickets were issued. It was a more civilized country. Heck I even had Coco Puffs for breakfast growing up. Now it has regressed socially, culturally, emotionally, and morally under the guise of religion. Shame on humanity for allowing this to happen!!!! In the hopes of a better tomorrowhttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96382Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:07:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96382Herms Johannesburg South Africa. But you obviously havent been in South Africa yet. We literaly need to buy different types of vehicles to get to work and back. When its weekdays we drive motorcycles because the cars barely move and it takes 2-3 hours to get to work in a car. On weekends driving to work we have sport cars driving at 100mph+ on the very same road because the others are also clocking it. So if we drive out bikes to work on weekends we usually go at about 130mph+ not to get nicked by the cars. Oh then we have the drunk pedestrians running accross the freeways on weekends. It is a fairly messy affair sometimes. We have minibus taxis with no brakes and it has been recorded that they sometime manage to drive over their own passengers due to mech failure. The driver of these buses have no schooling nor appropriate permits to drive passengers and it is literally the wild west this side. The potholes in the roads ripped a Toyota's wheel of the other evening in the suburbs. Oh and smash and grabs is a regular occurance. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96388Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:45:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96388behnam,tehrani live in iran However your article wasnt true but it was funny and amazinghttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96390Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:50:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96390Ramin, Oakland, CAWow, Sarah from Columbia, SC! Why so sensitive? Nothing in the report is untrue, and no part of it is the least bit derogatory toward any group. It’s simply factual. I have driven in Tehran and couldn’t agree more with the descriptions given in the report. The reference to “a herd of snarling beasts” that offended you is actually a very expressive depiction of the menacing nature of many cars collectively and impatiently inching forward, engines revved up and ready to pounce. I find the report positive, accurate, and light-hearted. I had a few good laughs reading it. Thank you, Ian Williams, for not only writing it, but also for braving the streets of Tehran in the first place :-) http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96392Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:51:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96392Thoms Morris, Radcliff, Ky.Evidently the Saudi Arabians have the same traffic rules as the Iranians! I worked in Saudi Arabia 2 Yrs. and It's a toss up between the Italians and the Iranians/Arabs! tom357freedomhttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96394Wed, 21 Mar 2007 08:03:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96394Janet PierceIt's a whole different way of driving there...not much worse than Cairo..or Rio..or Rome. The scary spectacle for me was a fellow on his motorcycle driving 'wheelie' fashion (only the rear tire on the road) while swerving around buses and cars in the usual motorcycle fashion there on a crowded, busy throughfare at around 80mph, after dark and...he had a passenger...whew..http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96397Wed, 21 Mar 2007 08:18:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96397Sarah Khan, Dallas TXhaving read the artical, I dont think Tehran is the only place where you find driving hard, in fact its almost every where...me being from India its the same way. I get migrain's whenever i m down here n stuck in traffic.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96519Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:41:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96519m ,karbakhshhey men that was downtown ,come up to see how we are peacefulhttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96530Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:52:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96530TAK Camp -------------- KoreaDamn wish that I lived there...wonder how much fun street racing would be there??? :)http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/20/94872.aspx#96659Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:21:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:96659Iva, Thousand Oaks, CAI only have to deal with California driving. There are a few reckless, selfish jerks sprinkled into the mix of rational, respectful drivers. From what this article is saying everybody on Iranian roads are the former? Sounds terrifying.