Because this is how the traffic seems to work here. In Seoul, everyone seems always to be trying to get somewhere and compete against other drivers to get to the turning lane. If you are not used to this combative style of driving, it can be scary! I hope I can get used to the drivers soon because I want to try and explore the places I can't reach by subway alone.
I thought I was used to walking, but in Seoul, it is much different. The cyclists will zoom past you, and if you are not paying attention, they will even run into you. The shops I like to visit tend to be far away from the metro stations. While the streets in the shopping districts seem to be more pedestrian-friendly, the buildings create large mazes filled with different shops. One wrong turn and you end up walking in the wrong direction for thirty minutes.
Seoul, as a city, is very environmentally conscious. For cars, gasoline is expensive with the average price being ₩5,300 ($4) for one gallon of gas. Because of this higher gas price, it pushes more people to take public transportation. The air pollution can be bad here in Seoul due to the large number of people using cars. Some people with breathing problems need to wear surgical type masks. I have been lucky so far not to have not needed to use mine, but I always carry it with me just in case.
