UK - Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road

[blott]

I thought it was overtake if you passed on the left side of the car and undertake if you passed on the right side (in US but the opposite in UK). I also think that undertake is a UK expression and not a US one.

MMFAN - I'm with you here and have been both overtaken and undertaken quite frequently in US (undertaking is not allowed in UK - you have to overtake only which is on the right side of the car) which is one of the reasons for the tip to check BOTH mirrors before changing lanes when driving in US! You don't need to do this in UK!

Gosh, this is getting very complicated!

Blott

[MMFAN]

OK, I understand now. Americans don't distinquish between what side of the car you pass on....it's just overtaking someone (actually most people say "passing"). Undertaking is definitely reserved for more morbid activities.

One thing I have noticed while driving around Disney. The local people are very impatient with tourists that drive more tentatively, no matter what the reason (lost or uncomfortable). I am neither lost nor uncomfortable driving near Disney, but I still watch out for smaller cars driven by younger drivers...which possibly means a Disney worker who is both familiar with the area, and in a rush to get to/from work. We even got cut-off once by a driver we recognised...he had been our driver/guide on the African Safari at Animal Kingdom. He was still driving like he was there!

[blott]

Just saying 'passing' sounds eminently suitable to me but, you know the British, we always have to complicate things with terminology or an explanation!

Oh boy, having been on the Safari ride at Animal Kingdom, just hope I don't meet him when I'm driving! No matter how many times we go to Disney, we always manage to get lost - it's got something to do with looking for signs which never seem to say what you're expecting and when you do figure out which one to follow, the sign disappears, you've missed it and you can't turn around!

Blott

[catherine]

I also, like Blott, have no trouble driving in Florida and find it difficult to adjust when I come back home. I have always put it down to the fact that I am left handed and so think 'the other way round' from the majority.

[Harmony]

I have no problem with driving on the right side of the road, but I do get lost a lot. Why are road signs hung high above the roads where at night your lights can not light them up and are therefore unreadable?

I have also be caught out by lanes that seem to suddenly branch off without warning.

I still prefer driving in Florida instead of London, and hope to go for a Florida drivers License.

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

I know what you mean about getting lost in Disney Blott.

I don't think they have thought out their roads in Disney very well at all as you can often see where you want to go, but just can't seem to find a road or a turning that takes you there. Very frustrating <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas

[Kilo]

I am a semi-retired musician and have driven all over the UK. I find drivers here are good - my American mate reckons the Brits are gentlemen on the road and his countrymen are animals. A couple of musicians have been over with me recently (first time) and one is so impressed by the courtessy and patience of Florida drivers he keeps on about it now he's back in the UK. The Big Band I play for during the summer (when in Britain) has asked me not to invite him again all they get is how good the American drivers are and how friendly the people are. I've got to agree on both counts.
Kilo

[maggie]

I agree with Carla. I have always found the americans quite courteous on the roads not like here in England. Its everyone for themselves. They seem to think everyone knows where they are going so you don't have time to read road signs before someone is testing out their horns. I really hate driving in the UK. It takes a bit of getting used to in America but I much prefer it to here. That is until you get the lorries passing you, which tend to be a lot longer than ours.

Maggie

[Amirah]

LOL Your wrong side is the right side to me and your right side is the wrong side to me. I remember visiting London and driving. I will never ever do it again! LOL

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

I have to admit that I find driving on the right side of the road in the US very natural (must be something to do with being right-handed). When I return to the UK it takes a real effort to keep to the left side of the road.