Driving Protocol Question
 

Lots of uncontrolled intersections in various Buenos Aires neighborhoods. No stop nor yield signs, nor traffic signals. Frequently, people arrive at the same or similar time and very rarely is there an accident. Is there any particular protocol as to who has the right of way?

At unmarked junctions, you should give way to guys coming from the right.

Probably best to approach with caution.

Roundabouts, now that's another matter altogether

Does Argentina use signs like one sees in Europe that indicate whether a road or street is considered the *main* road or street, so that traffic on the main artery has the right of way?

Road signs? No , very few and far vetween.

Clearly, Avenidas are obvious but small streets in the barrios are where the strongest, the bravest and the fastest win.

At least nighttime headlights are now used. When I first came here (late 90s), most headlights were on a very low setting until the driver gave you the "I'm going to hit you" flash.

No. Actually I had never seen those signs until I moved to Europe and I had to ask what they meant - pretty cool, I have to say.

According to the law, priority is always for the car coming from the right, period. However, this is not necessarily enforced and you need to be extra careful. During the night, on normal intersections without a traffic light, it is (used to be?) common to alert your presence by using the high-beam headlights. Otherwise it's the law of the jungle - a Hummer will have priority over a Chevrolet Corsa.

There aren't many roundabouts in Argentina and rightfully so because every time I have stumbled into one it was a disgrace - even though the Yield signs are there, lots of people understand that the priority is for those entering the roundabout because they enter from the right.

It's a case of 'who dares wins'. As she's a local my wife does all the driving. I just hang on tight.

So wise. I've driven plenty of times on the other side of the Cordillera but have not considered getting into the driver seat on the Argentina side.

No idea what the driving test involves in Buenos Aires but out here in the sticks it's practically non existent. More a case of you turning up, answering a few questions and you're given a 'pass'. Compared to the driving test in the UK it's all a bit of a farce.

The test is probably like a Tetris puzzle, although you only pass when you can get more squares into the spaces than they were designed for.

A new test is being introduced in CABA .

Here are the details ( in Spanish)

https://eleconomista.com.ar/actualid...igentes-n55467

I do not suggest driving in EZE unless you are a very VERY proficient driver and are experienced in similar conditions.... Jakarta or Cairo or Mumbai, and you enjoy taking risks and walking on the wild side. The kind of "good driver" skills that get you by in the USA and Europe will NOT cut it in Buenos Aires. Please note Im not being funny or sarcastic, I say this with "shame", but the traffic and the driving customs are very different and difficult and 99% of the average drivers from Europe and the US are just not qualified to drive in normal Buenos Aires traffic.

El Pelado Larreta is trying to do a lot to change driving habits in Buenos Aires... its all good, BUT, it will take 2 or 3 generations to change things. Its all a step in the right direction, but the chaos and way of driving is not going to change overnight. It is what it is....