UK - Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road

[imported_n/a]

If you are from the UK, you will have to drive on the wrong side of the road and indeed the wrong side of the car! You will have to learn to judge the width of the car on your right as opposed to your left.

'Free Right Rule'. If you approach a red traffic light in the right hand lane you can turn right if it is safe to proceed, even if the lights are on red. Doubtless as you get used to this rule you will be 'beeped' from behind but do not be rushed and make sure it is safe to proceed.

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

The way we remember to stay on the correct side of the road is that the center of the road always has to be nearest to the driver.

After a few times over in the USA driving, it's become second nature and I don't have to think about it too much now.

You'll also notice that the US is devoid of any roundabouts too (or at least we've never seen one!).

We find the drivers not as courteous as at home but probably not too different to those in London (no offence implied for those of you from London).

John & Sarah

John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas

Edited by - floridadreamvilla.co.uk on 03/03/2002 19:17:15

[orlandobabe]

There's an itsy-bitsy roundabout way down in the historic area of downtown Kissimmee-in a housing estate-but I shouldn't worry about it too much-unless you are lost-like we were!

Orlandobabe

[Carla]

John I just have to disagree about the courtesy of the drivers. They almost always let you in and I've never had a driver deliberately speed up to prevent me from joining a road or sit on my bumper.

I drive a lot around the UK as part of my work and our drivers are generally a very inconsiderate and impatient lot (me as well sometimes!!). Probably because everyone spends so much of their day in a traffic jam!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

[Carla]

There are several roundabouts at the Crossroads, Lake Buenavista. The Americans go straight over them and the Brits go round them!! Makes for very interesting watching sometimes.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>



Edited by - Margot on 03/03/2002 19:51:25

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

The mention of roundabouts at a place called Crossroads - you've got to be having us on .

We find that people will not let you out at a junction when we are in the US. Happens consistenly and I cannot recall being given way to. Maybe it's just us?

John & Sarah

John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas

[steph_goodrum]

Re: the "Free right" rule, you have to watch for some intersections that have a "no right turn on red" sign, these are the only ones you can't turn.

Also overtaking is allowed on both the left and right side so make sure you check both before turning or changing lanes.

Re the roundabouts, our accountant in Winter Haven (an ex pat) said she sometimes drives up to Hampton Lakes just to drive round the roundabout as it reminds her of home.

Babblin Boo

Edited by - steph_goodrum on 03/03/2002 22:11:13

[MMFAN]

Having gone to the U.K. and driven on the left, I have nothing but admiration for everyone who can switch sides of the road without a problem.

On the right turn on red...you must come to a full stop first (that's the law..we know it's not always the practice) and yield to all traffic. You can also make a LEFT turn on red (after stop) if it's from a one-way street onto another one way street.

Roundabouts used to be more popular (American term is "traffic circle") but have declined in use because of the many accidents due to people's failure to properly yield right of way.

[blott]

MMFAN

I find it's really easy to drive on the right and get into it straight away with no problems on arrival. The difficulty arises when I return home and try and drive on the left again! It's weird, you'd think it would be around the other way as I drive in UK the majority of the year.

Err, although we have loads of roundabouts/traffic circles in UK, that doesn't necessarily mean that people know how to drive around them properly and we too have lots of accidents, particularly at mini roundabouts. However, there are so many of them I can't see them disappearing. We have a term, when giving directions, of saying 'straight on at the roundabout'. When I was a passenger in a car driven by an Australian friend, she took this literally and was about to drive straight across the middle of a rather large roundabout until our shouting got to her!

I knew about the full stop on red but I think it's 3 seconds if nothing is coming. Is that right?

Blott

Edited by - blott on 11/03/2002 08:53:34

Edited by - blott on 11/03/2002 08:54:49

[porky]

To Uk guests worrying about driving left hand cars, all the hire cars I've been in are automatic so there's no problem with sticking your left hand down between the seat and the door to change gear. This has happened to me a few times when I've driven a manual in Europe, usually at the most inappropriate times.

Jacqui

PS When reversing, don't do what I've done twice. Sounds really idiotic but when you're tired you tend to forget and use the break as a clutch! Couldn't understand why the car kept slowing down and lurching until I got dug in the ribs by hubby<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>