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Driving on the unaccustomed side of the road



 
 
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  #21  
Old March 7th, 2004, 11:55 AM
John0714
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Default Driving on the unaccustomed side of the road

Where I have problems is when the road is deserted, I often find
myself on the wrong side.


If the road is truly deserted I can recover when I remember. My biggest problem
is making a left turn on to a street with a median strip when another stoplight
down the street to my left has stopped the trafffic on the street I am turning
into. I turn into the right lane, their light turns green, and there I am, and
there they are


  #22  
Old March 7th, 2004, 07:13 PM
John C. Baker
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Default Driving on the unaccustomed side of the road

In article ,
ojunk (John0714) wrote:

Several times I got on the wrong side and got pulled over by the
police. No tickets or accidents unfortunately.


I think you meant "No tickets or accidents, FORTUNATELY." :-)

Or did you ... ?
  #23  
Old March 7th, 2004, 11:57 PM
Geoff McCaughan
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Default Driving on the unaccustomed side of the road

John0714 wrote:
This past November and December I drove extensively in the area bounded by
Adeaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne, or whatever I am an American who has driven
in the USA and Canada for 40 years. I found driving on the left often quite
disconcerting. Several times I got on the wrong side and got pulled over by the
police. No tickets or accidents unfortunately. But I feel I am living on
borrowed time and thus may never be back to anywhere you drive on the left
since vacations without automobiles I have found very unsatisfying.


I would be interested in others' experiences on driving on the unacustomed side
of the road anywhere in the world. Would you care to share?


I've done the switch many times, having travelled to the US, Canada, Europe
over the years. I find changing sides to be fairly easy. My tips:

The first time is the worst. If possible [staying with relatives/friends
etc], get someone to drive you around for the first few days, this gives you
a chance to get used to being on the other side of the road without having
to drive. On your next trip, the changeover will be easier.

Automatics are easier than manuals. With an Auto you have one less thing to
get wrong.

Concentrate, especially when turning from a carpark onto a road, and when
there is no parked traffic to cue you to the correct direction. If you start
to get used to things and stop concentrating you *will* go the wrong way. It
might help to have a sticker or something on the dashboard to remind you not
to drive off without thinking about where you're going.

The centerline is your friend - always keep it on the drivers side of the
car.

Don't get tired or hungry - that's when your concentration can slip.
  #24  
Old March 8th, 2004, 01:20 AM
4000 psi
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Default Driving on the unaccustomed side of the road

Automatics are easier than manuals. With an Auto you have one less thing
to
get wrong.


is the H pattern universal or is that also reversed down under?


  #25  
Old March 8th, 2004, 01:28 AM
Gerrit 't Hart
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Default Driving on the unaccustomed side of the road


"4000 psi" wrote in message
news:m0P2c.18882$Zp.12861@fed1read07...
Automatics are easier than manuals. With an Auto you have one less thing

to
get wrong.


is the H pattern universal or is that also reversed down under?



Universal! Except in French cars reverse is weird.

Gerrit - Oz


  #26  
Old March 8th, 2004, 01:49 AM
4000 psi
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Default Driving on the unaccustomed side of the road


"Gerrit 't Hart" wrote in message
. au...

"4000 psi" wrote in message
news:m0P2c.18882$Zp.12861@fed1read07...
Automatics are easier than manuals. With an Auto you have one less

thing
to
get wrong.


is the H pattern universal or is that also reversed down under?



Universal! Except in French cars reverse is weird.

Gerrit - Oz



thank god for small favors ... and the clutch paddle is on the left?


  #28  
Old March 8th, 2004, 05:28 AM
4000 psi
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Default Driving on the unaccustomed side of the road

pull up/pull out ... what is this ancient means of birth control?

"Raffi Balmanoukian" a
wrote in message
news:BC7148CD.21B6D%walkabout@TAKEOUTTHETRASHTOREP LY.ns.sympatico.ca...
in article , Gerrit 't Hart
at wrote on 3/7/04 8:28 PM:


"4000 psi" wrote in message
news:m0P2c.18882$Zp.12861@fed1read07...
Automatics are easier than manuals. With an Auto you have one less

thing
to
get wrong.

is the H pattern universal or is that also reversed down under?



Universal! Except in French cars reverse is weird.

Gerrit - Oz



You pull up? That's the case with Spanish/Portugese tin cans....



  #29  
Old March 8th, 2004, 11:10 AM
Roger Martin
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Default Driving on the unaccustomed side of the road


"4000 psi" wrote in message
news:VrP2c.18905$Zp.7145@fed1read07...

"Gerrit 't Hart" wrote in message
. au...

"4000 psi" wrote in message
news:m0P2c.18882$Zp.12861@fed1read07...
Automatics are easier than manuals. With an Auto you have one less

thing
to
get wrong.

is the H pattern universal or is that also reversed down under?



Universal! Except in French cars reverse is weird.

Gerrit - Oz



thank god for small favors ... and the clutch paddle is on the left?


Yep, the pedals are universal from L to R clutch, brake, accelerator. Except
of course...........the odd vehicle which has a foot operated parking brake
left of the clutch.

As for reverse gear position - there seems to be a different position and
method of engagement for practically every make and model you come across. I
still prefer the old Mescherschmitt KR200 (bubble car) method of engaging
reverse, stop the engine, flick a switch to reverse, restart engine and hey
presto four gears in reverse!!! Gotta love two strokes which could run in
either direction. Mind you 75kph in reverse could be challenging.


  #30  
Old March 8th, 2004, 01:40 PM
Raffi Balmanoukian
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Default Driving on the unaccustomed side of the road

in article UES2c.19381$Zp.16969@fed1read07, 4000 psi at
wrote on 3/8/04 12:28 AM:

pull up/pull out ... what is this ancient means of birth control?

"Raffi Balmanoukian" walka


Yeah, many European cars ARE too small for "back seat activity," now that
you mention it 8-)

 




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