Here’s what DRIVING in Prague is like | An American Perspective

[@Kerleem]

Let me know what you think about Prague in the comments below!

[@james.strong]

If you are intereasted in Czech roads and whatthey did then watch Adam Something’s video.

[@mennio100]

It's very nice! I'm very curious to see you experiencing some other big infrastructures like the Eurotunnel or Alps tunnels 😉

[@spinwaus]

It feels empty without the bikes

[@hawk_bl]

Great video ! This guy at 2:50 actually greeted you with 4 turn signals because you let him turn even if you had the advantage. By the way when you mentioned sirens, that's because the siren is from Whelen, an american company and in 2019 the Czech Police started to receive the first dozens/ hundreds of new vehicles to their already impressive police fleet. One goal was a major renewal of the nationwide patrol fleet equipped with a push bumper as well as storage capacity & boxes for various equipment like firearms, spike strips, medic bags, etc. Those are quite unique vehicles (at least for European standards).

[@MrKarlWilhelm]

Right. In germany the hazard light is also used to thank somebody. He didn‘t notice. Maybe it is not a thing in the US.

[@Kerleem]

Nice! Definitely not a thing in the US but I have noticed it here as well!

[@keenmate9719]

In Prague, the traffic is so thick that you have to step on someone's toe from time to time. People in Prague knows that so they are both more aggressive and more understanding. Some assholes might get offended or be more selfish but generally speaking driving in Prague is more base on fluid kind of driving than strict rules.

[@guesepecz9191]

We use bigger EVs in cities like Prague. Metro and trams and trolleybuses😂😂

[@johnnygomez7063]

As a Prague citizen you dont need to have a car - because one of the best public transit systems in the world working non-stop. We do use electric vehicles on daily basis - its called metro and trams.. When using tzrams we feel rich - 1 tram type 15T costed 4 000 000 EUR /4 500 000 USD. Prague tram network is 3rd longest in the world (after Moscow and slightly Budapest) New - fully automated (=no driver) - metro line has been under construction. Czech republic has the highest density of railway network per 100 sq km (km2) in whole EU. Prague public transport vehicles have been one of the cleanest in Europe.. Regarding cars - its true that a driver in historical city centre streets and mainly crossroads you have to be sometimes a bit more "energic" then in the rest of the city - otherwise you would never get out of there.. On the main streets in the all the rest parts of the city have been speed limit radars - simply everywhere.. so you have to follow the 50Km/h speed limit if you dont want to get a letter to your mail box with picture of your car and you sitting in with printed speed you drove.. and penalty you have to pay..

[@saad-t7k]

Czech sirens are typical - C and G tones are used. The first ambulance service (in the world) was founded in Prague. ;)

[@Kerleem]

Haha I didn’t know this. Thanks!

[@3zuli]

You don't see many EVs here because the mean income is much lower than in western Europe or the US, making it hard for the average person to justify the purchase of an EV. And since there aren't many EVs, there also isn't as much infrastructure for them, but it's slowly improving. Hopefully their price will keep dropping in the next few years so more people can afford them.

[@Kerleem]

That's what I figured as well. Thanks for confirming!

[@happyundertaker6255]

The Czech sirens have always been like this, at least since the 1970ies.

[@keenmate9719]

What? That is definitely not true. This is what VB (Public Safety) cars sounded like kzbin.info/www/bejne/bX20gXeYipmLjK8

[@juliewalsh7401]

Thanks for the video! We are hoping to get to the Czech Republic next year and I was wondering about driving from Paris to Prague. I also noticed a lot of Skoda cars in the UK and Ireland this year, they just stood out ( in a good way)

[@Kerleem]

Thanks for watching!

[@fanny2081]

A little tip, if you are on a czech highway, be ready for people to be like 2 inches behind your car and sticking to you at 90 mph.

[@Kerleem]

Haha indeed, there were some fast drivers

[@Barking_Schnauzer]

I'm from Slovakia, so we're 'next door' to the Czech Republic and a ton of things here are the same, so it was interesting to see what a foreigner experiences / what you've observed. Siren sounds are the same in SK as well as in CZ (so the ones you've called 'American style'). Skodas are also the most common cars in SK as well. Regarding the faster driving - it's in both countries the same approach - the police won't really stop you or give you a ticket if you're up to 10 kmh over the speed limit. When you're speeding more, then yes, you're being stopped and get a ticket usually. But in general the whole traffic flow is about 10 kmh faster than the speed limit. There are some hotspots where it might not be tolerated and where the police is also patrolling more often, but most of the time you're fine with a slightly higher speed. As for electric cars - yes, those are ridiculously expensive for people in CZ or SK and they cost about 81% more than comparable gasoline cars. Only the rich(er) people can afford those. Even the most environmentally friendly person who has just a normal average income will still prefer a gasoline car rather than an EV, simply because they're not willing to pay that crazy amount of money. A car is something that in general loses value very quickly over the first 1-2 years, so it's not exactly something you want to take a bank loan for, which you'd probably have to pay of for 5+ years... Plus, there's not really any good infrastructure supporting the EVs, so you'd have trouble to find enough places where to charge the car. It's being slowly improved, but it's not really a priority for both countries considering the numbers: There have been in 2021 sold about 2600 EVs in CZ (appr. 1.28% of all newly registered cars) and about 1100 in SK (appr. 1.46% of all newly registered cars). If you count in as well the plug-in hybrids you get about 3% in both countries. Thanks for sharing another interesting vid, just found you by chance a couple of days ago, but I really like the vids and all your comments/information. Keep up the good job. Subscribed now. 👍

[@Kerleem]

Thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@Marius5]

In the Netherlands (at least in 's-Hertogenbosch) we have traffic lights in which the middle light (Amber) also has a 3-2-1 countdown before the ligth turns green. Not sure why they don't just turn amber on before turning green like in Prague, but it's nice either way.

[@eversunnyguy]

Thanks for giving a glimpse of driving in Prague ! Looks like a rainy day...

[@Kerleem]

Thanks! It was

[@alfelker]

We drove in Prague a few times in the early 90s after "The Iron Curtain 1.0" was raised. Not much traffic back then and no toll roads. Really fun driving. We drove all over Czechoslovakia meeting friends and touring around the spas and Tatra mountains in Slovakia portion. We drove an Audi Avanti (Audi 100 hatchback). We lived in Wiesbaden, W. Germany. It was fun seeing how much it has changed. We hardly ever saw a stop light back then lol. Thanks for sharing.

[@Kerleem]

Interesting! Thanks!

[@johnnygomez7063]

You cant compafre 1990´s and present time - now its totally different country - in many aspects better that the more western countries, FOR SURE!

[@alfelker]

@@johnnygomez7063 why not compare? Otherwise, what's the point? LOL. ☮️

[@johnnygomez7063]

@@alfelker Because I have been living here all my life - come here again a nd you will see.. Spend here some Czech Crowns or Euros - but dont expcet that anybody would sit on his ass from your value-less US Dollars - HELL NO!

[@adrianhykel]

Amazing video, thanks so much for making this comparison!🙏

[@teotik8071]

Yep, Skoda is a great brand. Interesting inside views. I've been by train but never drove around Prague.

[@keenmate9719]

I would say Skoda was a great brand but these days it seems like Volkswagen has really stepped on their neck to cut down some costs. Skoda cars also completely lost their identity. Before, like generation 1 or 2, you could actually distinguish different models, these days when we (me and my programmers) walk around the city we cannot tell if the car in front of us is Fabia/Scala/Octavia/Superb, it's all the "same", generic look, the size is the only real difference. But this goes for VW as well. Also the pricing is quite off. Skoda Octavia Ambition is that has only a steering wheel, everything else you have to add, for a price of course, so if you'd buy say Mazda you would get a better deal

[@teotik8071]

@@keenmate9719 I agree, cars are becoming more and more interchangeable. I remember well the designs of former decades. The pricing policy is indeed questionable but when reselling the car, consider Mazda might not be the best option.

[@vincenzodigrande2070]

Never been to Prague, interesting to see the differences. I also like the pre-green signal, definitely allows for some time to view around and get I'm gear and be sure it is safe to go.

[@keenmate9719]

It's not common in Europe? I thought it's a common thing. It the combination red/yellow actually differentiates otherwise easily mixed states. When you have only red/yellow/green states then when you are arriving to a crossroad you don't know if you should start slowing down or keep moving. This way when there are four states red/red+yellow/green/yellow we know that red+yellow means there is a green coming and when there is just yellow we know red is coming

[@vincenzodigrande2070]

@@keenmate9719 I have no info or recollection of which countries do or don't do that, but there are some countries in Europe that do this. Here in the North-West of Europe it is not common place though.

[@MrMajsterixx]

yea its good also in the "opposite" case, when its going green, orange, red, then u have even time to slow down or speed up depending how far you are because u are actually allowed to go on orange. it doesnt snap right in fron of your face when u have no more time to slow down and u just have to go on red.

[@qwerty70164]

Great, informational video! Guys do you know if any eco-plates are required in Prague?

[@Kerleem]

No idea

[@MikeGill87]

All correct observations. A refreshing experience. Usually people make an authoritative video about CZE and screw up everything they can.

[@Kerleem]

thank you! I appreciate that

[@pavelcerny9803]

Interesting to see a perspective of an American. For me, who has a driving licence for 2,5 years, driving in Prague is really easy nowadays. I am not gonna lie tho, as someone who isn't directly from Prague, I was a bit nervous at first, not even because I would feel endangered by other drivers or anything, just too much to look out for. Road reflectors are really neat, I like them a lot, but they are not everywhere as some of the highways are quite old. But it's more and more common nowadays. The traffic light phases are awesome as well, I was surprised when I found out it's not like that everywhere throughout Europe. I feel it gives you more time to notice and prepare yourself and is ultimately safer. Personally I never had any problem with the slight overspeed, generally when I go somewhere I have been to before, I go over the speed limit slightly, but if I am somewhere for the first time, I obey the speed limit. I think you can drive a bit faster but safe at the same time. And yes, I drive a Škoda too, of course :D

[@Kerleem]

Hah love it! Thanks for watching!

[@TheStefanskoglund1]

Personally i would take it a little bit slower on the streets in Praha, especially the ones with stone (setts really), the stone can be far more slippery. The tram and my own feet is usually my preferred way of moving about in Prague.

[@Kerleem]

I was always within the speed limits

[@Barking_Schnauzer]

@@Kerleem You might have been within the speed limits, but seeing how it was obviously wet and drizzling, you need to keep in mind, that if something would have happened (like a small accident), you'd be definitely the one at fault as you should have adjusted your speed to the weather conditions. And yes, like Stefan mentioned, those stone pavements get very slippery when they're wet, whether you're on foot or in a car. Just a hint for the next time you're in Prague. 🙂

[@miloligtelijn9463]

I’ve been there recently (15th till 19th of December). Absolutely love the atmosphere in Prague/Czech Republic. I always watch your content! Greets from Amsterdam. (I’ve got an fun American at home..) if you ever want to meet up at for example happy duck car wash that would be awesome.

[@eversunnyguy]

Is the driving similar to USA (keep right) ? Thanks.

[@Kerleem]

Yes, they drive on the same side of the road as the US if that’s what you mean

[@eversunnyguy]

@@Kerleem Yes. I am planning to visit Prague as well as Amsterdam. It looks like we need IDP to drive there correct ?

[@Kerleem]

@@eversunnyguy most EU countries should accept a US drivers license without a problem, but you can get an international version if you want to be certain. Just don’t plan to drive around the city centers, they aren’t very car-friendly!

[@eversunnyguy]

@@Kerleem Ok Thanks. Looks like you drove from AMS to PRG. Was it easy. I am planning to take a train or flight. I am by myself and not sure how it is to rent a car or how much it costs.

[@funkypaul2822]

Euh , you prefer Skoda over Volkswagen? Really? Technically, Skoda is " Volkswagen grade technology". But check the interior, check the materials, and you will notice that in fact, Skoda is a cheap Volkswagen with prime Volkswagen under the hood. Same thing for Seat.

[@Kerleem]

They share 90% of the same parts. Even Volkswagen’s material quality is going down because of cost cutting for better profit margins. I think Skoda and Seat for that matter are at least better styled vehicles, even if they have “cheaper” materials…so do the VWs

[@johnnygomez7063]

@@Kerleem funny is that Škoda many times wins the competition against Volkswagen in many tests done by independent car magazines... Its always a lot of joy in Mladá Boleslav and lot of anger in Wolfsburg... :-D

[@oakld]

They're made of same materials and mostly share parts and production procedures. VW gets the newest stuff, while Škoda gets the same a year or two later. In addition to that, VW selection starts with a lot higher level of amenities. I've drove Skodas and VW and both are certainly pleasant and quality cars.

[@LaggerSVK]

I am living in Prague and yes drivers are more aggressive the more east in Europe you go the more aggressive drivers you find. Prague has good public transport but there are many cars and the infrastructure for cars and cyclists is not good. Speed limits are quite high and the micromobility wasnt much supported in the history. The hierarchy I would say is pedestrian->car->cyclists .etc while in western Europe the car is on last place and cyclists are sometimes first. I personally dont like this in Prague. I think cities should be mainly for people going by foot or by other means.

[@Kerleem]

Good points!

[@MrMajsterixx]

no, they should be for people in general, and many natives have car.

[@KarlosTheMighty]

There are no no-tolik highways here dude. The road you show is just a regular road. If it has 4 lanes and looks like a highway but there is no toll it is road for motorised vehicles (Silnice pro motorová vozidla). The speed limit is lower than 130 on the highways but higher than 90 on the regular roads. You can go up to 110 outside of a city/town or 80 when you pass trough the city/town.

[@Kerleem]

Well I still had to purchase an electronic toll vignette for Czechia so I don’t know which roads were and were not tolled

[@GoRannization]

dude, you are indian or turkish, not american

[@Kerleem]

Wtf are you talking about dude

[@Bo-tz4nw]

Sorry, nice city, but here very much yes right probably "An American Perspective", filming yourself, seems more interesting than the actual city.

[@Kerleem]

I'm not sure what you mean?

[@keenmate9719]

@@Kerleem Me neither. :-) I think he is attacking you as a selfabsorbed american or something like that. Perhaps he thinks the city should have filmed and talked about it itself :-)

[@futoshiplay4286]

dont forget Ukranians.. the fast driving & very aggressive drivers usually are Ukranians & rich kids...

[@Kerleem]

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