I have been travelling down (from Lisbon) to the Algarve quite a lot since the summer (of 2006) and I am always shocked how a nice people can be transformed into literally terrorist (in the true sense of the word) by the simple act of sitting in front of a steering wheel.

Now, we know that the statistics of accidents on the Portuguese make scary reading in any case. We actually top every list possible. And you can understand why, if you pick a good day to drive down…..or up from the Algarve.

We have to bear in mind that the speed limit is 120km per hour (which I have to admit is nonsense on parts of the trip) and the distance is approximately 250km from Lisbon, we should be counting on an average journey time is about 2 hours.

What actually happens is: this does not relate to Mercedes, Audi and BMW drivers. They have to attain a journey time of more like 1 hour and 15 minutes. Which means that if you are on the road at the same time as they are, you are literally forces (and I mean literally terrorised) to get out of their way, because speed limits do not include these drivers. And if you are unable to move over quick enough, they won’t mind overtaking on the inside lane. In fact, I have seen one Mercedes driver overtake on the inside of a three lane stretch.

But if, heavens forbid, these actually have an accident at these high speeds, which can very easily be 200km, they have a very good chance of walking away. Not the case with the cars they are trying to overtake…..the likes of Fords, Fiat, Renault, etc, which are not as “safe” as the super terrorists’ car.

However, you do get the suicide terrorist that try to drive their Ford, Fiat, Renault, etc, at the same speed as the super cars and this is really scary, as there is no way of survival should they have an accident.

My advice…..just get the hell out of their way…..or they are liable to kill the father of your son…..

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