There are some important points to remember while dri­ving in Bali. It is not unusual for cars and bikes to swerve into your lane without indication. Because there are often obsta­cles such as parked cars or the ever present procession of bakso trolleys and salesmen of all types of paraphernalia on the sides of the road, a system of "sharing lanes" has devel­oped.
That's okay if you're used to it but can be quite a shock to the new driver in Bali! Be aware that drivers from side streets often don't look when joining a main road and the larger vehicle is king of the road.
Quite often red traffic lights are considered "only as a suggestion" and there are a few places where traffic in the left lane may turn or continue straight through whilst the light is red.
Remember to "toot" your horn when going around curves on mountainous roads as it is very common to drive in the middle of the road here. There are a lot of one way roads in Bali, (meant to help traffic flow but it hasn't really turned out that way!) If you miss your turn off, you may have to drive quite a distance before being able to turn back. This has resulted in motorbike riders riding a few hundred metres in the wrong direction, as a shortcut rather than following traffic flow. Be alert!
It is not recommended to drive at night especially on the road to Gilimanuk where the ferry to Java commences. Truck drivers to and from Java are notorious for overtaking on cor­ners. Obstacles such as pot holes or road construction is often marked only by a leafy tree branch. By the time you think "What's that there for?" you could well be in a pothole!
You can fill up' at any of the numerous government owned petrol stations or in more remote areas at stalls by the side of the road displaying bottles of clear liquid. The quali­ty may not be as good as at the petrol station.
One way to beat the traffic is to go by air! There are few companies who provide helicopters for joy rides or charter. Or go by boat. One ingenious individual who wanted to avoid the flooded and traffic jammed By-pass chartered a boat from Benoa Harbour to Nusa Dua. It's all possible in Bali.