Paul_Shepherd

However which one is right and which one is wrong though?

I was quite suprised when I learned Canada drove on the right, as many of the ex colonies drive in the left, I suppose it was the influence from the states.

Lemonfish

Was told by my driving instructor here in Ottawa that the city has two roundabouts.

One gives priority to traffic joining the roundabout, i.e. others yield for you to enter. The other gives priority for those already on it.

Not sure how true this is, but roundabouts are definitely regarded with some suspicion here.

ScottDrummer

I learnt this the hard way in Vancouver, trouble finding a parking spot near granvile island, so i parked on the opposite side facing the wrong way, came back to a nice fine.

Alphawolf

I'm currently in Lethbridge, AB, never driven outside UK before and was absolutely brickin it when I picked our hire car up from Calgary aiport, had a near miss on a left turn when I realised I was on the left hand side of the road but the oncoming car kinda made me realise .
After a couple of days it just kicks in and becomes almost natural, been here a week now and not sure what all the fuss was about although the 4-way stop intersections can be fun, and yeah the green flashing light is a right of way when turning left, also turning right on a red light if the way is clear takes some getting used to.
All in all I found it easy once I'd made a couple of trips, now not looking forward to driving on the left side when we fly back to the UK

Aviator

Canada used to drive on the left many years ago. Can you imagine the mayhem of driving across the border and having to change sides Many North Americans are vehiculalry challenged at the best of times.

PMM

Hi

Actually it is a pedestrian controlled crosswalk.

Paul_Shepherd

Did they? I didnt know that? thats my interesting fact learn't for the day!

I agree thats the reason they must of changed over because of people from the states....driving across the border, however its only like driving off the ferry or chunnel from France to the UK....I remember all the big signs saying DRIVE ON THE LEFT!! to remind the poor unsuspecting Frenchman!

And yeah I do see what your saying about many North Americans being vehilculary challenged! - I cant believe how they drive on the highways! Im suprised there arn't more accidents! they drive SO close to the car in front! and lane discipline just doesn't exist!! its pick a lane and pick a speed!

Paul

Aviator

Sometimes bad things happen. http://www.vancouverite.com/2009/07/...on-highway-99/

Oink

Ride a motorbike, then you don't have to worry about right versus left-hand drive.

jimf

I've found driving on the right to be okay generally. In terms of the style of roads the only aspect I don't really like is at some busy intersections where there isn't a dedicated "left turn" in the traffic light sequence, waiting for a gap in the incoming traffic but with poor visibility because of the oncoming left turn queue.

There are a few roundabouts (traffic circles I think they call them) in Edmonton and people seem to deal with them okay. Someone told me these ones have been around for a long time so everyone is used to them. I've only seen a couple of mini roundabouts in Calgary.

Stockton

I've read it's to do with the style of horse drawn carriages that were popular. In Britain the horses were in pairs and the driver sat behind the right hand one to 'drive' them. It was easier and safer to pass to the left of an oncoming carriage. On the continent, it was more common for the horses to be one behind the other and it became usual practice to pass to the right. Don't know if it's true, but it would seem to fit.

As for learning to drive on the right, I had no real problems other than one time when I made a left turn into the wrong lane. Fortunately, it was late at night and there was no other traffic - although I probably wouldn't have made the mistake if there had been.

No, I had more trouble with the steering wheel being on the wrong side, particularly if I was getting into someone else's car and I'd be standing next to them while they unlocked what I thought was 'my' door. One time I came out of the supermarket, very, very tired and loaded all the bags onto the driver's seat. Then I walked round the car, climbed into the passenger seat and stared blankly at the dashboard for a measurable beat before realizing what was wrong. Then I had to unload all the bags... Sigh.

zoec

The thing i find very different over here, is that everything is so, stop go. stop go. whereas back home in england, because of the roundabouts and the give way signs there is more of a continuous flow, there seems to be a stop sign every 5 seconds over here where i live, it drives me crazy, especially when most roads in my town, you just have to slow down, look and then go, there doesnt seem to be a need for stop signs all the time.

another thing to get used to, is the long, straight for miles roads, wow do they get boring, always amusing when the canadians infront of you jam on the brakes when they approach a corner!

cov-canuck

We had a mantra - "Passenger - Pavement" - the passenger is always closest to the pavement (note: doesn't work when you translate it to Passenger - Sidewalk!)

snoopster

There's a roundabout (or traffic circle as they like to call them) in Mackenzie Towne, Calgary. It's the first one I've seen since we came here. One of my Canadian friends was directing me to a place in Mackenzie and 'warned' me about the 'strange' traffic circle, she began to tell me instructions on how to use it....so funny! I had to tell her that I came from Swindon - the home of the infamous 'magic' roundabout - that scared her good and proper

scliffe

The best thing here in BC is to point the car in a direction, shut your eyes, telephone someone, drink coffee, eat a burger, hang your leg out of the window, watch a movie and merge into the rest of the mayhem that is driving in Vancouver