Why do people in developing countries frequently break traffic rules?

Question

I have also noticed that they look down upon people who follow traffic rules.

The only motive behind following some rules is to avoid getting a ticket from the traffic cops.

Answer 1

I would have to say (factually speaking) that it is because of a lack of enforcement. You see, here in the U.S., police agencies are motivated to enforce traffic laws (i.e., large grants are given to virtually any agency who applies for additional funding to enforce seat belt laws, DWI laws, etc., and the money collected in fines - at least for certain offenses-is channeled right back to the police agency)...so you see there are certain motivators at work here in the U.S. that you may not find in Mexico or other poorer nations.

Answer 2

The developing countries are still developing and do not
know the rules yet. Moreover when caught by the traffic-cops
they are going to escape punishments by paying a bribe.
This happened to me recently when I visited India. We
were driving a jeep and we were stopped by the police
and when I asked the driver what happened he said that
I was not wearing a safety belt(sitting in the front next to
the driver). I never dreamt that I had to wear a safety belt
in India as I saw hardly anyone using this. The cops saw
foreigners in the jeep and they stopped us knowing they
would find a scapegoat. The driver paid RS 100 cash
( US $ 6 ). This went in the cops pocket. It was stupid of
me not wearing a safety-belt.Well some cops are correct
might be 20%. This is mainly the cops in the developing
countries are badly paid and they have to find other ways
to keep-up to the quick changes in standards.

Answer 3

In developed countries, over-regulation is more important than common-sense.

Thus people who are breaking traffic rules are probably only following common sense ie going down an empty motorway at above the 100 km/hr speed limit

Answer 4

You answered your own question. Many police departments in developing countries don't have the manpower or the vehicles to enforce traffic laws so drivers can run amok without fearing the consequences.

Answer 5

because they got used to their countries' rules where rules and regulations are not enforced properly(bribery works!). when they're here in this country they think they can get away with it.

Answer 6

Probably to see what they can get away with.

Answer 7

because they can?