Dominican Republic Survival Helps. Driving. Public Transportation and Drinking.

Fill up the gas tank of your car if you are driving and keep an eye on it.. Especially if leaving the city or going out at night. Gas stations are few and far between in rural areas. The stations are not self serve so make certain you watch the attendants pumping your gas so no adds-ons are happening to your bill.
Most Dominicans do not drive at night. Most roads are not lit well so you can't obstacles in the road. Many roads are bad. Some are very good then they suddenly will ave a giant rut or change in an instant to a dirt road. Also headlights do not function the best here. Many cars do not have them and less Motor Cycles have lights.
Driving is done on the right side of the road.
Right turn on red is permitted.
Unwritten rule of the road. The bigger your vehicle the more rights you have. Little guys get out of the way for the big boys.
Speed limit signs are in KM's, not miles, so be aware of this. Even if the speed is posted it is not USUALLY enforced. It all just depends on the mood of the officer that day.
If you are driving keep some change handy in the car. This way you will not have to reach into your pocket to give the person that helped you park, the attendant, the passing beggar, a handout.
You most likely will be approached by someone when you park your car. They will offer to watch your car for a price. Give them a little and tell them you'll give them more when you return.
Traffic laws are similar to those in the United States. Here in Dominican Republic drivers, in general, do not pay attention to the driving laws. Turns are made from opposite sides of the roads and turn signals are just pretty lights. Cars are known to stop without any warning and in the center of the road. So when driving always watch closely to what is going on around you. People drive aggressively. They do not yield or give right-of-way. Stop signs(Pare) are a rare sight and even if you do see them not many pay attention to them. *Note: They are starting to watch more for traffic violations, which one has a few occurrences, they can lost their car or go to jail, even if you are a tourist.
Try and practice the word no or better yet the "I don't see you or hear you" look. If you are not good at either of these make sure your window is wound up when you are at a stop light. But many times it is OK to give a little change to these people. Some sell things very inexpensive (get the item before you hand out the cash) and some really do need the little handout. Sometimes you need to be nice.
Seat belts are the law here. Many laws are not enforced but this law is one of the few that they are very strict about. (there are no child seat laws)
Using a cell phone while driving..DON'T! This is another thing that WILL get you in trouble if the police see you. Going through a stop sign is maybe a ticket. Talking on a cell phone when driving WILL get you a ticket. Use a hands free device.
Pedestrians tend to step out into traffic and do not pay attention to cross walks,corners, or traffic signals. even though they DO NOT have the right-of-way. People cross everywhere. Even on the busy highways and interstate roads.
Motorcycles and motor scooters outnumber the cars in the Dominican Republic. They are supposed to wear helmets. Sometimes this law is enforced and other times it is ignored. Motor drivers will work their way through traffic stopped at an intersection to get to the front of the line. They drive on the sides of the road. They do not have lights. They drive the wrong way on the roads. This is not true for all motor cycle drivers but if you think this way it will be better for you.
Watch when you open your car door. There may be a motor cycle driver coming up the side of the road.
Watch out for Horse carts. They move slow and are found in many of the streets. They also cross in front of cars with no regard for their surroundings.
There are no large wild animals in Dominican Republic. No deer or skunks to watch out for in the street. But there are goats, horses, pigs and cows that do like to hang out in the streets. Even in the cities. Be aware!
If you do wreck try and resolve the incident without police help if possible. You may not be able to leave the island if there are any problems. You could end up in jail until it is resolved.
The larger tour busses are quite comfortable and clean. They have air conditioning which can get VERY COLD. Remember to take a jacket with you, most likely you will need it.
When riding a bus that it can get noisy. Dominicans do like to listen to their music loud and they think everyone likes it that way also
When riding a local bus or Guagua they can get loud and are many times dirty and crowded. They can make many stops along the route. You could even be riding with a box of chickens in the back! So relax and try and enjoy the experience. Nothing much else you can do except get upset which does not help or get off the bus.
Driving while drinking is not permitted. The country has been cracking down of drinking and driving so be aware. If you are in a wreck or do a traffic no-no drunk you'll be in big trouble.
I suggest, especially if you are not familiar with the country, get a taxi, Do Not rent a car (or use public transportation) to travel around the country. Driving is not easy here. If you get in any type of accident you may not be able to leave the country until it is resolved. Remember, the police do not get paid much money (in general, basic pay can be less than $200 US Dollars a month). This is not enough to raise a family so many of the police do look for tips (regalas). Some spot a tourist and will pull them over and ask for money or they will give you a ticket and take you to jail. It is up to you, but I suggest try not to give money or give a small amount just to get out of the problem. Do not let them see how much money you have. Do not get too aggressive in your argument with them ( a little arguing is expected). Many say to make a copy of your drivers license and give this to them instead of the original. Again I suggest, just to be safe, use a taxi. *note- I do not know about the police asking for a tip first hand. This is only what I have been told by other Expats and Dominicans alike. I have never had a problem with this in my years in the country. I do always use a taxi or public transportation.
When taking a taxi always ask before hand what the fare will be. This way you can decide then wether to take that car or not. Once you have taken the ride you have no choice but to pay what he asks.
When using public transportation be aware of your surroundings. Watch who is close to you, bumping into you or making loud noises can be to distract you into not paying attention to the hand reaching into your pocket or worse.
The Public cars are convenient and inexpensive. I strongly suggest that you do not use Public cars at night. Best to take a taxi. Official registered public cars will have an ID badge in the car with the drivers picture and their identity number.
Have the money to pay the driver or bus attendant in your hand or in a convenient place away from your other monies. This way you will not be showing how much money you have to all the passengers.
Always try and smile and be nice to the driver. Tell them thank you. If possible, in a public car, say the drivers name when speaking to him. This way they know you know who they are.
Look in the car first. If you don't like the look of the driver or passengers (most likely you won't like the look of the car, but this is normal. Can't be too choosy with this point) don't get it. Wait for the next car to pass. The Dominicans do this so you can also.
Do not leave your purse or belongings on the seat near you if your windows are down. Grab and runs are very common.

Remember, in true Dominican fashion, if you have a drink and need to go somewhere where you don't want the alcohol smell lingering, make sure to (as I call it "suckin' a Euk") get a Hall's (eucalyptus) candy at the Colmado to get rid of the smell. Its the Dominican way.
Drinking mass quantities of alcohol without sufficient water intake can be bad, especially in such a hot climate. Alcohol does not hydrate your body like water does.
You should try a Presidente con Clamato (beer with clamato juice) at least once. You can see this strange mix being drunk by many Dominicans in the Colmados or while playing dominoes (to see a picture of dominos being played with a can of clamato close at hand - new window). Clamato is a tomato type juice with a clam taste. The ratio is in general 3 to 5 parts beer to 1 part clamato. Pour the beer into the plastic glass then add the clamato, give it a little swirl to mix and enjoy. If you are a bottle drinker take a drink to give you room in your bottle then add the clamato directly into the bottle. It takes some of the bite out of the beer. It is said that if you drink clamato with your beer you will not get drunk...don't believe it!
When opening a bottle of alcohol remember to pour a little onto the ground or floor. While doing this you must say "Por los muertos/ "For the dead". It is a Dominican tradition to give the dead a little drink before they start enjoying themselves.
For special instructions on opening a bottle of Brugal check out this link. The bottle is covered with a strong yellow netting, which if opened haphazardly could cause undue stress when trying to enjoy your beverage.
Remember, the beer is strong and it can seem stronger in the hot climate. Usually the drinks are mixed strong also. If you are going to be drinking all day (or night) try what I do. If you like beer start with that. Then if you go out switch to a mixed drink, rum is best. Get a bottle so you can mix it yourself if possible (most bars sell the bottle). Mix it, or tell them to mix it "suave". In other words, not strong. This way you can last the night without any ill effects.
The dictionary of the Dominicana Gringa (written and published in my mind only) states "ALCOHOL ABUSE = when you spill a glass, drop a bottle, or in any way waste your alcoholic beverage. This includes the act of spewing, disgorging, expelling, emitting or projecting. To put it bluntly throwing-up or vomiting"