I got hit by a car.

[soberpete]

Second that!!! Most important rule, not only in China but everywhere. Here are just more opportunities to apply.

When I was 18 and made my driving license my teacher told us and made it mandatory to assume:
"That everybody on the road is stupid and always be ready for that. The car in front of you/the car heading in your direction/the pedestrian right hand side/the bicylist behind you/... is an idiot."

This rule applys everywhere and even more so in China.

That video replay just show how "brave" and ignorant people were at intersections. Even in Shenzhen, there is no shortage of insane bikers crossing G roads.
My road safety tip:
Make room for likely incident, make no chance for idiots to hit you.
Ride safe!

Wise words from TD.

In that ghastly video, many of the vehicles that get hit do so while committing egregious errors -- riding on the wrong side of the road or in the wrong direction, cutting between vehicles, or just failing to read the (chaotic) conditions of that miserable junction.

The message I take away is a strong reminder that the only norms in China are cornercutting and shortcutting and jaywalking and impatience and ignorance. Never expect 100% rational behavior when there's even the slightest opportunity for irrationality. Read the traffic around you, keep a big margin of safety, and assume the worst.

TIC

Andre, TD, Euphonious; that advice was also given to me by my driving instructor in the UK and has kept me safe from a countless number of potential accidents.