When travelling from country to country, we notice and enjoy learning the little differences that exist in all parts of life. When it comes to the road, it is essential that we observe and adapt quickly. So far, Peru has been the most difficult to understand, but after more than 5000km of riding in this country, we discovered there was a well ordered system of road rules that everybody follows. Those rules are as follows:

1)      You must have a very loud working horn and use it liberally.

2)      When approaching an intersection, no slowing down is required. Proceed at speed, with horn blaring.

3)      Feel free to ignore the horns of others, as well as the “don’t use your horn” signs in residential areas.

4)      Turning in any direction, from any lane, is permissible.

5)      One way signs must be observed, but this only refers to the direction the vehicle faces, not the direction it is moving.

6)      Public transport drivers must stop suddenly, regardless of what lane you are in, when flagged down by a pedestrian. Do not pull over or signal to warn vehicles travelling behind you.

7)      When overtaking on a blind corner, assume there is no oncoming traffic.

8)      Motorcycles need less room than you think. Overtake them on either side, preferably in their lane.

9)      Whenever you see a motorcyclist ahead, get right behind them and blast your horn, just for fun.

10)   Your hazard lights are your wild card. They can be used to signal any driving manoeuvre: turning left, turning right, stopping, starting, merging, reversing, swerving etc. When in use, consider other drivers forewarned of all your future actions.

11)   It is acceptable to transport live animals on the roof of your vehicle – sheep, goats, llamas, guinea pigs, anything. Even humans.

12)   It is forbidden to cover your load or to stop when you notice debris flying off the back of your vehicle.

13)   You must adhere to these rules when driving a Peruvian vehicle in neighbouring countries, regardless of their local laws. We need to show the world how it’s done.

Special rules for road management and road work crews:

14)   When planning temporary bypass routes, any old goat track is OK for general traffic.

15)   Once traffic has been diverted down such roads, do not provide any further directions to get them back to their intended route.

16)   It is not necessary to provide advance warning to road users that the road ahead will be closed for the day and that they need to make alternative arrangements.

17)   Do not remove detour signs once road works are completed.

18)   When roads become pot-hole ridden, it is cheaper and easier to let local village children fill them in and beg drivers for tips.

19)   Road workers should stop whatever they are doing and watch vehicles pass – the work may take longer, but it will be more interesting for them.

20)   When you see a woman on a foreign motorcycle, it is perfectly acceptable to wolf whistle.

Below are some of the shots taken on the road from Matt’s helmet cam. More are on our photo gallery here.

Moving obstacles on the road.

Truck loads weren’t always covered or tied down. The possible consequences would be obvious to many.

Roadworks and delays became an opportunity for local vendors to make a sole or two.

Fi making friends with some locals while waiting for a road to re-open.

There are more parking options when riding a motorcycle. Like the hotel foyer.

This official demanded, for no apparent reason, that we drive on the footpath.

Breathe in!

We don’t know how most of the vehicles passed the emmissions test. Truck and bus exhausts were right at breathing level too.

Pot holes were sometimes difficult to avoid.

As soon as we crossed into Peru, the dogs became vicious car chasers. Just as odd, this stopped when we entered Ecuador.

To close a lane, a load of dirt or gravel is usually dumped in the way. In the darkness, it took a moment to realise that the road was actually to the left…

The size of your truck doesn’t always dictate the size of your load.