Friday, 14 September 2012

Jeep Safari - At your own risk


Thank you for all the comments on my last post.  You unanimously approve of a plaster giraffe in my garden;  now I'll have to sell the idea to my (aesthetically sensitive) husband. Alan's comments on jeep accidents prompted me to check the safety record of these tours. I've found reports of 4 really bad crashes in 4 years.  Par for the course I suppose with 3 or 4 groups of jeeps going out every day from each resort, BUT, reading the feedback on forums from customers who have been on these trips, I can only think that Allah is looking after these safari companies. Common practice seems to be to overcrowd the jeeps by 2 or 3 passsengers. The small Suzuki 4x4s which are registered for 5, often have 6 or 7 passengers.  Seat belts are either unavailable or not used. I know this is true as the tourists who pass my garden wall are often standing up.  Clients are provided with water pistols so when the jeeps race side by side, they can "shoot" the occupants of the passing jeep. A fatal accident in 2008 was attributed to the jeep driver being blinded by water as he overtook a tractor.  One accident was caused by the driver jumping out of his seat and running alongside the vehicle, showing off that he could control the jeep as he ran beside. He couldn't - it crashed.  If you are still contemplating booking, UK travel insurance doesn't usually cover off-road trips so you should pay for extra cover.  My worry has always been the danger of one careless punter throwing a lighted cigarette out of the jeep as it rushes through the forest. A selfish concern I know, but they will be long gone as hectares of pine and olive trees burn to the ground.

16 comments:

  1. Ouch! This post makes my hair curl.

    It might have been bumpy, but at least the jeep safari I went on in Cyprus had a driver all the time AND seat belts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The landrovers that go past us look safe to me, but only if the passengers put their seat belts on

      Delete
  2. Here the equivalent is quad bikes...fleets of the blasted things set out from hotels to'see wildlife'!
    Accidents are many...poor maintenance, iffy roads and damn fool parents balancing small children in front of them on the bike.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Missed the first 'Safari' post somehow, but just read it with great glee. Then this, which really brings a whole host of other issues to bear - safety issues pretty high on the list. You rightly point out the fire risk as well. My pine forest, which looks so similar to yours but is actually very small, has been sealed off at the entrance to all but the pedestrian.
    At the moment, it's full of snogging teenagers in the week before school restarts! They're not dangerous, nor do they kick up the dust but from my occasional sidelong glance, some of the action looks hot enough to potentially start a fire...

    Axxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What does your dog do when he comes across canoodling teens?

      Delete
  4. You know this sounds like a safari NOT to go on! Peace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure there are safe ones, but not sure how you can tell.

      Delete
  5. I am sorry to bother you. Will we be safe in Bodrum for our upcomming holiday? We are very concerned about recent violence in neighboring countries

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Bodrum is a long way from the troubles in the East. Ypu have no need to worry about this at all.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for your reassurance. We are looking forward to our vist very much. We appreciate your quick response!

      Delete
    3. Happy to answer any questions you have about the Bodrum area.

      Delete
  6. Hi - Can I just say I have only recently stumbled across your blog recently and I am totally in love with it! My Mum has a place in Gumbet/Bodrum (near the suicide junction..I mean roundabout for Oasis) and I really love getting a feel of what Bodrum is like for locals.

    Although we are 'tourists' I see myself more of a honorary 'Gumbian' and have been going for 8/9 years now. Love your blog, love Bodrum and love Turkey...

    Keep up the great work!! It definitely brightens up my work day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After 8 years, I think you can class yourselves as semi-locals. Thanks for your kind words about the blog, I appreciate the feed-back. Can I be presumptuous and and ask your name so that I know which "anon" you are?

      Delete
    2. Hi - Just realised how to reply with my name, which is Ryan. In case there are other Ryans, I'm the one from Belfast!

      Delete