opposite side
May 5th 2008, 4:53 pm
#16
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,074
Re: opposite side
It's not too difficult but you do need to have your wits about you! It'll probably take you a day or two to get your head around it all. Also, don't be alarmed -people will undertake you as well as overtake on the freeway - it's the norm here. Oh, and you can turn right on a red traffic light, coast being clear of course (best thing since sliced bread 
)
)
Last edited by JEM3110; May 5th 2008 at 4:57 pm.
May 5th 2008, 5:01 pm
#17
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 4,525
Re: opposite side
Just remember, you in the middle of the road, passenger to the kirb. Oh yeah and don't be surpised if you get honked at for not turning on red.
May 5th 2008, 5:18 pm
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Palmyra, NY
Posts: 2,130
Re: opposite side
May 5th 2008, 6:30 pm
#19
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: opposite side
Only when I'm really tired. I found myself sitting on the wrong side of the road at a set of traffic lights on the way to work one morning. I was literally sitting there trying to figure out why the cars facing me (at the red light opposite) were on the wrong side of the road.
May 5th 2008, 6:50 pm
#21
Diamond Geezer
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,488
Re: opposite side
May 5th 2008, 7:05 pm
#22
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: opposite side
parallel parking shouldn't be any different as you can park on either side of the street in the UK...
May 6th 2008, 7:49 pm
#23
Barmy Harmy
Joined: May 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 13
Re: opposite side
It is pretty easy really. You just have to know the small rules. My first experience driving here in the US was at 1am on a cold February morning after flight delays. Snow falling at about 3ft an hour, but they did a superb job of clearing the motorways, otherwise I am sure I'd have ended up buried off the road. But the rules such as when it says "STOP" you have to stop. If they catch you even rolling, you get a ticket. Their police can be pretty unforgiving about speeding too, even if you're a few miles per hour over too.
Other than that, the only issue i had with driving on the other side, was where do i put my right elbow (as being in the UK, you always put it by the window), but unless you drive a beast with an armrest, you'll find that you have no idea what to do with your right arm at times with all the automatics that you get here!!!
But good luck, I am sure you won't find it hard!
Other than that, the only issue i had with driving on the other side, was where do i put my right elbow (as being in the UK, you always put it by the window), but unless you drive a beast with an armrest, you'll find that you have no idea what to do with your right arm at times with all the automatics that you get here!!!
But good luck, I am sure you won't find it hard!
May 7th 2008, 2:48 am
#25
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
May 7th 2008, 4:16 am
#26
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 4,792
Re: opposite side
Brits are way better drivers then Americans. Brits just adapt better then most.
Most Brits are more then capable of driving in foreign countries, LH or RH drive.
Virtually all Americans, are incapable of driving anywhere that does not drive LH drive.
I have known & met many US drivers, in fact the instructor who gave me the original 3 hour video course, that were scared to drive in UK. SCARY really.
Frank R.
May 7th 2008, 8:04 pm
#27
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: opposite side
Brits are way better drivers then Americans. Brits just adapt better then most.
Most Brits are more then capable of driving in foreign countries, LH or RH drive.
Virtually all Americans, are incapable of driving anywhere that does not drive LH drive.
I have known & met many US drivers, in fact the instructor who gave me the original 3 hour video course, that were scared to drive in UK. SCARY really.
Frank R.
Most Brits are more then capable of driving in foreign countries, LH or RH drive.
Virtually all Americans, are incapable of driving anywhere that does not drive LH drive.
I have known & met many US drivers, in fact the instructor who gave me the original 3 hour video course, that were scared to drive in UK. SCARY really.
Frank R.
May 8th 2008, 2:52 pm
#29
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,043
Re: opposite side
The first time I arrived in the US it was 1am, I'd been travelling for nearly a day, I got in a rental car and promptly drove the wrong way up the freeway. Luckily I noticed in time to do a U-turn.
My parents did exactly the same thing in Florida last year.
So I suppose the moral of the story is don't drive anywhere near me or my family
(we're all in Maine right now btw).
My parents did exactly the same thing in Florida last year.
So I suppose the moral of the story is don't drive anywhere near me or my family
(we're all in Maine right now btw).
May 8th 2008, 8:39 pm
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 115
Re: opposite side
I manage to drive here fine now... whe first driving i used to veer across and ride the cats eyes a bit but now im very used to where i should be....
I drive a manual here too
The instructor at the DMV almost had a heart attack - female, english, manual drive - huh unheard of apparently - Whatever!!
now what you have to be more careful of is the sodding trollies left in carparks and how they like to just ram them into your car with no worries about scratches and dents
Mr RB is never happy about that :curse:
I drive a manual here too
The instructor at the DMV almost had a heart attack - female, english, manual drive - huh unheard of apparently - Whatever!!now what you have to be more careful of is the sodding trollies left in carparks and how they like to just ram them into your car with no worries about scratches and dents
Mr RB is never happy about that :curse: