Driving in Canada
 

In 3 days myself and my family will be in Canada and have booked a hire car.
Does anyone have tips that I have to look out for as i have never been before? :scared:

Re: Driving in Canada
 

1) Turning right on a red stop light - allowed except in Quebec, must pull up to a full stop before proceeding if clear
2) STOP when you see a yellow school bus flashing it's red lights, even if it's on the other side of the road
3) All-way stop - crossings where the first to arrive has priority, cross in order of arrival at the crossing
4) Speed limits - 100kph on highways = ~65MPH, quite strict
5) Drive on the right! But be prepared to be overtaken on either side.
Good luck, enjoy Canada!

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Thanks for that it sounds very different from the UK, I am sure after a couple of days of people sounding there horn at me I will get the idea. (typical tourist).

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Hi

You'll find the grid system of cities really easy, I did. Even if you miss a turn, you can just take the next and zig zag. Also, I find the signposting excellent (but then I do live in ireland, which is famous for it's strange signposting;) )

Just be aware that on the highways (around Toronto anyway) everyone goes at quite a lick (when they're not in gridlock!) so you have to keep up with them! Just keep aware of what lane you need to be in (signposting is good as I said) and keep your nerve. People cut in etc a lot, but you'll soon find yourself going with the flow, if you'll excuse the pun.

Also, some highways have express and feeder options, so if you need to take an exit anytime soon, stay in the feeder.

Good luck
Snowqueen

Re: Driving in Canada
 

If you are heading for the maritimes, remember that pedestrians have right of way. So expect them to throw themselves suicidally in front of you at any time - they will expect you to stop. Great if you are a pedestrian (although don't loiter at the side of the road, or you will cause a traffic jam as everyone grinds to a halt :D ).

Of course, if you are heading to Montreal, please ignore all of the above, and just put that pedal to the metal.

Have fun.

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Thanks
We are heading for Ontario, waterloo. Thanks for your advice and i will make sure to print this off and keep it handy. Any more advice would be most welcome.
Very nervous Brit :eek:

Re: Driving in Canada
 

I don't know if this is the same where you're going but around Calgary there are loads of "no-left" or no-right-turn" signs that only apply at certain times of the day.

A week or two ago I was trying to get to a college for a course, down a road I hadn't been before, and I suddenly realised I couldn't get to it from the road I was on. I was already late and anxious, and I though I'd just turn at the next left and double back.

Well I DID see the sign, but didn't have time to stop and read what the time restriction was, and followed another car around. There was a cop waiting! He pulled over a whole line of us, and everyone got a fine! $172 and two points on my licence!! He did say I could go to court and contest it, but I was so upset, I just thought why add humiliation to boot? I saw the sign. I didn't observe it!

Still sucks though :(

Re: Driving in Canada
 

On smaller roads, be cautious if you haven't seen another vehicle for a while, when one comes along your inclination will be to go to the wrong side.

You'll very likely see horse drawn vehicles, they tend to drive on the verge but may be on the road, pass them wide and slow.

Avoid the 401 across the top of the city, from the 427 to the DVP, it's usually 16 lanes of stationary cars.

Re: Driving in Canada
 

If you have driven on the motorways in England I think the highways in Canada will be a piece of cake! I thought the speed limit was about 90 miles an hour because that seemed to be the speed that everyone drove at.

Re: Driving in Canada
 

401 can be a bit stop go, but not as bad as its cracked up to be, compared to say the M25.

In Ontario you can turn right at a red light, but watch for pedestrians, this is also a must when you have a green as pedestrians get the "walk" sign when you get the green!

Defacto speed limits are about 20km over the posted limit, you would be unlucky to get a ticket at that level, UNLESS in a 40km school zone which are pretty well enforced. No radar cams thankfully.

On the main 400 series roads overtaking on both sides is the norm. Canadians have an anoying habit of cruising in the middle lane, I suspect bought on by fear of deer jumping at them from the right. Who knows, anyway, people pass on both sides so watch out when changing lanes.

A flashing red light above the road is a stop light. It wont change to green no matter how long you wait, you go when its your turn, which depends if its a 2 way or a 4 way stop. A flashing yellow light above the road warns you that there is a "2 way" cross road, and that vehicles from the side are gonna stop for you (if they are sober), so appraoach with a bit of caution as they may not realise its a two way and might be expecting you to stop for them as if its a 4 way stop.

Someone else mentioned school busses...thats a biggy here. Same goes for emergency vehicles, everyone pulls over, slows donw / stops to the right to make room for emergency vehicles with their lights on, that goes for volunteer firefighters with the green flashing light on in their regular vehicle.

If you want to figure out road signs and stop lights etc etc the handbook can be found here:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan...ook/index.html
You can pick and choose what you want there , but I would at least look at intersections, schoolbusses, emergency vehicles and a few other bits

Here are a couple of older threads too:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=359992
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256207

You get used to it pretty fast, and its easy in the city as you follow everyone else, or get beeped at. Just pay attention on your own say at night, remember if you are driving and you are closest to the kerb, YOU ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE!

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Hi

To add to that be especially careful when you turn off a one-way street onto a two-way, you find you have the tendency to drive in the wrong lane.

Re: Driving in Canada
 

I don't know the average speed on the M25 but I average 11mph on the 401 between the DVP and the 400 and I'm usually driving on weekends; it's worse in the week. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Well, ok, on a select list of people: Jack Layton, Bono, Steven Harper, Red Green, Celine Dion, Rush, only the truly odious.

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Alternatively, always keep the line in the middle of the road next to you when you are driving (on your left), especially when turning corners, helps you to see where you should be on the road...Tip courtesy of my OH shouting when I was driving!!!

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Often the lane markings are either non existent or hard to see, especially at night and or in the rain. They dont usually use the reflective type here, as they dont tend to do well in the winter in competition with the plows.

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Good point, as I will point out to OH next time he criticises my driving skills!

Re: Driving in Canada
 

One of the biggest things to get used to is simply sitting on the wrong side of the car. When we holidayed here I found I was looking up and left to find my rear-view mirror!

I keep going to the wrong side of the car still, when I am thinking of s'thing else :rolleyes:

The first time we came, I said to hubby I was not going to drive, so we went to find the hire car in the parking lot ..... and got in .... and looked at eachother, laughed, then solemly had to get out and swop sides!

For driving position in the road, if you are not sure how much space you have on your near-side, it sometimes works to line yourself up on the car in front (if THEY look as if they are in the right place!!!) :D

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Hi, its Darren, (the other half of Tara 74), we have been to Canada twice in recent years and on each ocassion we have haggled with the rental company upon our arrival and managed to get a free upgrade. The last time we went we were met by friends at the airport who said that this request is almost expected and normally accepted. When we did it we felt a little embarrassed however it always worked in our favour... Be mindful that if your flight is delayed, vehicle rental companies close after midnight until 6am the following morning. ( seats in the airport are not made for comfort, we found that out!!) Good Luck and have a wonderful trip.

Darren and Tara :)

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Sent you a PM :)

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Also wanted to mention (cos I can't see anyone else advise it) but apart from the STOP signs, there are also lots of YIELD signs (upside down red triangle - basically the same as the UK Give Way) and that junction (or intersection) is usually divided by a small triangular island. When approaching to turn right, always slow down and check from your left to see that you are clear to pull into the lane. When I first arrived here, I didn't know what they were and thought I had the right of way to turn right without stopping and I still see many Canadian drivers fail to slow down and check from their left :eek:

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Had me first prang yesterday :eek: NOT MY FAULT! I was sat at the lights when a guy in his massive truck decided to to use my Explorer as a brake! He had dropped his cigarettes and was rumaging around the floor looking for them :scared:

Anyhow after I got home and told Hubby :eek: He said I should have waited for the police. I went to the cop shop today to find out the protocol.

If no one is hurt and the damage to both vehicles = less than $1000 then you just exchange details and away you go.

Call the police if someone is hurt. If the damage is greater than $1000 then get your vehicle appraised then report it to the police.

Luckily I fall into the 1st category :)

Safe driving all you guys and gals!

Re: Driving in Canada
 

OH NO PIFF!! :scared: You are so lucky that it was just classed as a "bump" then.....don't you think you'll be getting the whiplash feelings in a few days? What if you do, will that change the claim any?

BTW, working tomorrow for the day, sorry haven't phoned you yet - flamin' hopeless! Had lots on here, phone calls to make, stuff to sort out. I will give you a call on Friday ok so we can sort something out for next week ;)
JC x

Re: Driving in Canada
 

You're right - you were rear ended so it's automatically his fault. (I know, I've been there and I was at fault :o ) Are you sure it was under $1000 though? It doesn't take much to beat that! My insurance paid out $45,000, :eek: and the other vehicle was an old rust bucket. Damage to mine was only $4,500, so I can only imagine the rest was injury related claims. You might want to get yourself checked out at the Docs for whiplash, it may not show up right away.

Re: Driving in Canada
 

If you're heading for Waterloo be careful at the point where Highway 8 and Highway 7/8 split......watch signs carefully - most newcomers get lost in that area and end up in St Jacobs! Quite a bit of road construction going on as you drive West into Kitchener/Waterloo on highway 8. Take care, have fun! :D

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Glad i'm not the only one.......................been here 12 months and still do that. ;)

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Are you blonde too? :confused:

Re: Driving in Canada
 

If you're thinking of driving in Toronto (mainly downtown), be careful of the street cars. When they're dropping off / picking up passengers, you cannot overtake them.

If it's any help, here's the link to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Online Drivers Handbook

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan.../section2a.htm

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Not in the Limo I hope!!!!!

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Also at these types of junctions, when it is really busy and you are concentrating on finding a gap in the traffic coming from the left, you may not notice a pedestrian approaching from your right and crossing in front of you. I haven't hit one ( :eek: ) but just remember to have a quick check to the right before you finally go for it and launch into traffic.

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Thanks everyone for all your info :)
Here's to safe and happy driving :beer:

Re: Driving in Canada
 

How did you guess Morwenna...........................wouldn't class myself as the dizzy variety though ! ;)

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Nor I me! ... but I think maybe senility is playing a hand.

Morw (happily demented)

Re: Driving in Canada
 

That sounds like a plan!

Re: Driving in Canada
 

ive been in canada (ON) over 3 years now and im sorry the signposting is VERY BAD!

Re: Driving in Canada
 

(some of what follows may already have been said)

Driving in Quebec.

1. zebra (or pedestrian) crossings mean nothing. While walking expect to be hit. Do not rely on vehicles stopping.

2. Jay walking is another fine tradition. Few use the traffic lights to cross.

3. No right turns on red but this applies ONLY on Montreal island (and I think Quebec city).

4. Drivers in Quebec tend to go over posted speed limit. Go with the flow.

5. You will get cut off all the time on highways (autoroutes we call them). Expect it. Do not get angry or honk horn. If you haven't been hit then it is your lucky day.

6. Few people will signal lane upcoming lane changes on autoroutes.

7. Our roads are despicable, full of potholes. Don't get upset.

8. When a pedestrian crosses the street, unless there is a red light, cars won't stop. Don't compete with a car.

9. If you can drive in Quebec then you can drive anywhere in the world.

10. Some older autoroutes are poorly designed. One does not have time to enter and merge so get ready to gun the motor.

11. Road Signs are all 'en fancais'; do not expect any English.

12. Some road sings are poorly positioned. One sees a sign and has to exit immediately.

13. Many drivers simply won't move over to let you make a lane change even if you signal. Be prepared to dart across. So try to make your lane change well ahead of time.

14. And like most other paces it doesn't make any difference how fast one goes, someone will always want to go faster!

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Hear Hear!

Re: Driving in Canada
 

your going 100kph lol or maybe a little faster and the sign says stay in this land for airport and then all of sudden the road spilts and the lane ur supposed to be isnt the right one, u miss the exit, and ur scewed, i dont get the sign posting here and no one seems think theres anything wrong with it! :mad:

Re: Driving in Canada
 

It's not like that in Calgary. Pedestrians rule.

When we first arrived here, I just stopped on the sidewalk to admire the view, and a passing motorist pulled up just in case I wanted to cross! I did cross cos I was so surprised! :p

When you are turning at lights beware cos the odds are that a pedestrian also has the green light! (and they get to go first!!)

On the other hand, they are quite strict about jay-walking here, especially downtown if you are spotted crossing against the lights, or not using a crossing when you should.

I have found drivers VERY tolerant of sudden lane changes .... they happen all the time here anyway as the signage is so poor, as previously described :D.

If you need to change lanes, and you signal, 8/10 drivers will let you straight in front of them.... a few exceptions of course, but they are probably British Expats! :p

Who reopened this ancient post anyway??? :rolleyes: :D

Re: Driving in Canada
 

And live in the far NW, eh????

Re: Driving in Canada
 

Hi, I spent all last week driving around the Halifax and Fall River area of Nova Scotia on our holiday and found it very easy indeed ( After the first day ), Much easier than driving in any UK City. The Canadian drivers seem much more relaxed and in no rush to get from A to B. ENJOY

Re: Driving in Canada
 

That makes me want to kill them.