Driving in Bahrain is not for the weak or timid. You have drivers from all over the world with different rules all merging into one. Below are some general rules that have been posted on TripAdvisor for Bahrain. They are pretty dead on as to how things are here, except perhaps they should include a few truths, like stop signs. They are basically yield signs. You roll right up, look around, if no one is coming then you keep going. The turn lights here turn Red, then yellow then green. You need to be moving when it turns yellow or you will get honked at for being too slow. All in all, you really have to be an aggressive driver and watch everything around you at all times.
Here are some quick points:
All cars must be legally registered and insured.
All drivers must carry a driver's license (International driving license required for visitors).
Wear your seat belts.
Respect the speed limit.
Do not cross any red lights.
No drinking and driving. (The slightest smell of alcohol on your breath is enough to get you arrested)
- So please assign a designated driver or call a cab. Don't ruin your vacation!
Thinking the above should say 'Obey the speed limit' not respect....because most do not adhere to the speed limit, and very few actually get a ticket for speeding.
Warnings
Always use your signals to indicate where you are going to turn.
Use "Danger" (a.k.a. Double Signal) to indicate immediate stopping or hazard ahead (such as an accident, or obstacle in the middle of the street.)
Be cautious on weekends (Thursday night, Friday, and Saturday) as there are lots of crazy drivers (from neighboring countries) who are not familiar with the traffic laws, or worse - people who try to apply their own country's rules abroad!
Keep a safe distance between yourself and the car in front of you.
Don't force your way through or endanger others. If you've missed a turn or exit, just continue straight and ask for directions on how to get back (at a traffic light)
Without being too racist/discriminant - watch out for Saudi drivers, taxis, 18-wheelers and the like. (These are renowned for being the worst drivers in Bahrain)
Headlights / Signal lights / Horns (Other uses)
You might be thinking, "other uses?" - yes. Driving is sometimes a social game. Full of requests, taunts, warnings, and thank yous.
Aside from their main purpose, headlights have the following use:
When signalling for a turn, if you see somebody flash you with the headlights (as in turning on the full beams real quick) - this is usually an indication that the other driver is allowing you to pass.
If encountered with the same situation when you are driving on the left lane of a highway and the flash comes from the car that is behind you. This is usually a request to make way. The left lane is considered the "fast lane", with slower vehicles relegated to the middle and right lanes (the slower you are, the more to the right lane you should be). Expect to see a lot of heavy vehicles and old/slow cars on the right lane. You should give way, since relatively speaking you are slower than the incoming car that's behind you. However, do this in a careful manner by checking your mirrors and signalling to the right.
Signal lights have the following use (other than signalling):
If you are requesting that a person make way and he signals to the left (even though there is no turn in sight), understand that the other driver is telling you that he is holding this lane despite his relatively slow speed in order to make an eventual turn.
After giving way or making room for somebody to change lanes, especially when the other driver wants to enter your lane - you may be briefly shown a "Danger"/Double signal. This is a sign of gratitude, a quick "thanks" if you will. Pay attention to the situation and whether it warranted such a gesture. If there was no courteous act committed, then there's probably a good reason to slam on the brakes!
Horns have the following uses:
Long horns are usually full warnings - so listen carefully and use them to warn other drivers.
Short horn sounds can be considered as minor warnings (You are about to cross a perpendicular 2-way street and turn left into the second street, a driver may see the front of your car and give a slight warning to indicate that he is close.)
If someone from oncoming traffic is given permission to turn (via headlights), you may be thanked using a short horn (and a wave of the hand).
Taxis are known to honk at "potential" customers (then again, potential customer is anyone without a car/bike), so don't be alarmed if a short horn sounds when your driving or walking by.
Repeated horn sounds - whether double (beep-beep), triple (beep-beep-beeeeeeeeep), or constant (no need to explain this one) can be associated with impatience. Sound is made to urge the people in front to move on. Double/Triple beeps are usually used at roundabouts and traffic lights if someone is taking too long to move. Constant repeated beeps are indicative of a traffic jam.
Roundabouts
Bahrain is starting to phase out most of the problematic roundabouts, as they have been a source of major accidents and traffic jams. Some of these are being replaced by 2/3/4-way intersections. However, there is no guarantee that all roundabouts will be eliminated.
How to drive in roundabouts:
Some countries give right of way to traffic entering the roundabout (like Beirut). Bahrain however, gives right of way to people INSIDE the roundabout. You will notice the "Give Way" traffic signs at all roundabouts.
Certain roundabouts will have traffic lights placed at them. So even if there are no cars inside the roundabout, you cannot enter if the traffic light is red. Same goes for traffic lights INSIDE the roundabout.
Pay attention to the ground arrows as most roundabouts connect 4 to 6 routes (in a 4-way roundabout, one is your route and the rest are considered exits)
As a general guideline, if you want to turn right or head straight (12-6 o'clock / directional) hold the right lane.
If you want to turn left or go back the way you came (6-12 o'clock / directional) hold the left lane.
Middle lane is usually reserved for straight and left exits. (Applicable to 3-lane roads, 2-lanes only have left/right)
If for some reason you miss your exit, DON'T PANIC. Make another round on the roundabout and attempt it the second time.
WATCH OUT, for people on the right lane attempting to make a left when you're in the middle lane and trying to go straight. (refer to #7)