4WD
$50 site donor 2024
Yep, been there … and agree. Fortunately in the higher security threat level countries we get hire cars … but in the nicer countries I had to drive in ? Did not always feel secure ...·
Driving In Other Countries
- Thread starter Passport1
- Start date
Yep, spent time driving in Japan in 1969-70, found the drivers (near base) mostly tolerant. Right hand drive wasn't too hard to get used to, left hand shifting in our stick shift, 2 cylinder, 2 CYCLE, air cooled TRUCK was a bit tricky. Thank goodness the clutch pedal was to the left of the brake!
4WD
$50 site donor 2024
What's funny is to work with a W Texas guy who lives in NZ … come to an overseas country that drives on the side we do … and on come the wipers every time he's about to turn … (NZ did not improve his language either) ...œ
The hardest parts about driving in the UK is getting used to a) about a million roundabouts, even with no island , b) Shifting gears with your left hand (no muscle memory) c) positioning your car properly on the very narrow roads. and d) driving with hedges about 6 in from your passenger window. They drive slowly so no worries about crazy speeds. Driving in Mexico and S America (except Argentina) is for crazy people, and forget about India. Other countries have different laws and you don't want to deal with an accident and their legal systems. The German speaking countries are great because the drivers are so disciplined.
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Originally Posted by NO2
The hardest parts about driving in the UK is getting used to a) about a million roundabouts, even with no island , b) Shifting gears with your left hand (no muscle memory) c) positioning your car properly on the very narrow roads. and d) driving with hedges about 6 in from your passenger window. They drive slowly so no worries about crazy speeds.
And often those "hedges" are ivy growing on a stone or brick wall.
The hardest parts about driving in the UK is getting used to a) about a million roundabouts, even with no island , b) Shifting gears with your left hand (no muscle memory) c) positioning your car properly on the very narrow roads. and d) driving with hedges about 6 in from your passenger window. They drive slowly so no worries about crazy speeds.
And often those "hedges" are ivy growing on a stone or brick wall.
I've only driven in 3 countries - Canada, USA and Boston
Originally Posted by 4WD
What's funny is to work with a W Texas guy who lives in NZ … come to an overseas country that drives on the side we do … and on come the wipers every time he's about to turn … (NZ did not improve his language either) ...œ
Yeah, you can always tell someone who is borrowing a mates Euro car...late indicatiing, but the wipers come on first. Cars made for right hand drive usually have the indicator stalk on the right...door side. Then as British cars became Euro based they moved to the left - MkI Escort on the right, MkII Escort on the left. Aussie cars turned the same as they started to use Euro cars too. Japanese cars, whether exported new to NZ, or come here as used JD, always have the indicator on the right.
Well, not always - Some Mitsubishi Pajero's are made in the Netherlands, and have the indicator stalk on the left. They were sold here new, alongside the Japanese made ones. You don't know what one you are driving until the first corner.
What's funny is to work with a W Texas guy who lives in NZ … come to an overseas country that drives on the side we do … and on come the wipers every time he's about to turn … (NZ did not improve his language either) ...œ
Yeah, you can always tell someone who is borrowing a mates Euro car...late indicatiing, but the wipers come on first. Cars made for right hand drive usually have the indicator stalk on the right...door side. Then as British cars became Euro based they moved to the left - MkI Escort on the right, MkII Escort on the left. Aussie cars turned the same as they started to use Euro cars too. Japanese cars, whether exported new to NZ, or come here as used JD, always have the indicator on the right.
Well, not always - Some Mitsubishi Pajero's are made in the Netherlands, and have the indicator stalk on the left. They were sold here new, alongside the Japanese made ones. You don't know what one you are driving until the first corner.
Nailed it.
I lived in Germany for three years courtesy of Uncle Sam. Italy is Germany with less lane discipline.
Years later, when oilBabe and I spent three weeks in Italy, we had a car for the week we were staying in Tuscany. She was worried a bit, but calmed down once I'd driven her around for a day or two.
The Italians will put three cars and perhaps a scooter where the Germans will put two cars.
oilBabe lived in Japan with her ex-husband as he was stationed there with the Navy. We've also been to South America. At least in Peru, it seems most signs are a suggestion and the vehicle with the most mass has the right of way.
Also, it was fun in early 1990 when all the Trabants made their way to the West. They were more of a hazard than the slow moving trucks who knew the way things worked on the road. The smoky East German cars seems to be lost both in terms of direction and with respect to road courtesy for a while.
Originally Posted by Carmudgeon
Germany -- good drivers and good roads. Not surprising, since getting a license is harder and a costly endeavor.
Italy -- more chaotic, but still a higher standard than the U.S. Speed limits are suggestions that are often ignored, except when in a camera zone. Tailgating is common, but not as an invitation to road rage; it's just the way they drive. The ZTL zones in city centers are the biggest potential gotchas, and will result in an unpleasant bill in the mail months later if you intrude upon them without a permit. Road layouts sometimes don't make sense, until you realize they were laid out for horses and carriages many, many years ago.
Germans had better lane discipline, so it's less likely to run into a slowpoke in the #1 lane, but both are still good, especially compared to the U.S.
The way they route all traffic on divided highways onto one side and completely close all lanes during construction is interesting.
They installed a couple of low speed roundabouts in my area a couple years ago, and people still don't know how they work, but then again, many interpret the Yield sign to mean "stick you nose in there and don't worry about cutting anyone off."
I lived in Germany for three years courtesy of Uncle Sam. Italy is Germany with less lane discipline.
Years later, when oilBabe and I spent three weeks in Italy, we had a car for the week we were staying in Tuscany. She was worried a bit, but calmed down once I'd driven her around for a day or two.
The Italians will put three cars and perhaps a scooter where the Germans will put two cars.
oilBabe lived in Japan with her ex-husband as he was stationed there with the Navy. We've also been to South America. At least in Peru, it seems most signs are a suggestion and the vehicle with the most mass has the right of way.
Also, it was fun in early 1990 when all the Trabants made their way to the West. They were more of a hazard than the slow moving trucks who knew the way things worked on the road. The smoky East German cars seems to be lost both in terms of direction and with respect to road courtesy for a while.
Originally Posted by Carmudgeon
Germany -- good drivers and good roads. Not surprising, since getting a license is harder and a costly endeavor.
Italy -- more chaotic, but still a higher standard than the U.S. Speed limits are suggestions that are often ignored, except when in a camera zone. Tailgating is common, but not as an invitation to road rage; it's just the way they drive. The ZTL zones in city centers are the biggest potential gotchas, and will result in an unpleasant bill in the mail months later if you intrude upon them without a permit. Road layouts sometimes don't make sense, until you realize they were laid out for horses and carriages many, many years ago.
Germans had better lane discipline, so it's less likely to run into a slowpoke in the #1 lane, but both are still good, especially compared to the U.S.
The way they route all traffic on divided highways onto one side and completely close all lanes during construction is interesting.
They installed a couple of low speed roundabouts in my area a couple years ago, and people still don't know how they work, but then again, many interpret the Yield sign to mean "stick you nose in there and don't worry about cutting anyone off."
In 2009 Samoa changed to driving on the left - at least they understood which is the correct side.
Originally Posted by Saabist
For the life of me I do not understand why some countries (UK, etc.) insist on driving on the wrong side of the road. (Sweden used to but they wised up in the 1960s and got with the program.)
I find it easier to drive on the wrong side. Fits with how my brain works better. I'm sure it's the case with a lot of people.
For the life of me I do not understand why some countries (UK, etc.) insist on driving on the wrong side of the road. (Sweden used to but they wised up in the 1960s and got with the program.)
I find it easier to drive on the wrong side. Fits with how my brain works better. I'm sure it's the case with a lot of people.
Originally Posted by Silk
In 2009 Samoa changed to driving on the left - at least they understood which is the correct side.
Wasn't that due to so many of their cars came from Japan, New Zealand, and Australia?
In 2009 Samoa changed to driving on the left - at least they understood which is the correct side.
Wasn't that due to so many of their cars came from Japan, New Zealand, and Australia?
Originally Posted by javacontour
Nailed it.
I lived in Germany for three years courtesy of Uncle Sam. Italy is Germany with less lane discipline.
Years later, when oilBabe and I spent three weeks in Italy, we had a car for the week we were staying in Tuscany. She was worried a bit, but calmed down once I'd driven her around for a day or two.
The Italians will put three cars and perhaps a scooter where the Germans will put two cars.
oilBabe lived in Japan with her ex-husband as he was stationed there with the Navy. We've also been to South America. At least in Peru, it seems most signs are a suggestion and the vehicle with the most mass has the right of way.
Also, it was fun in early 1990 when all the Trabants made their way to the West. They were more of a hazard than the slow moving trucks who knew the way things worked on the road. The smoky East German cars seems to be lost both in terms of direction and with respect to road courtesy for a while.
"Italian drivers abhor a vacuum" LOL.
Another difference that comes to mind is how the Germans will have greater mindfulness and respect for the kind of vehicle they're driving. Those driving city cars, or towing a camper will know their limitations, and seemed more likely to stay out of the faster lanes. In Italy, less so. I ran into a guy driving a smaller box truck on the A1 who thought he was driving a Ferrari.
That said, I didn't experience it as a norm in my relatively short time, and I'm appreciative of the speed limit signs trucks carry on their rear ends, which are gentle reminders to those following that the truck you may be tailgating isn't supposed to go any faster than what they've posted.
I really dug Tuscany, and the Italian countryside.
Nailed it.
I lived in Germany for three years courtesy of Uncle Sam. Italy is Germany with less lane discipline.
Years later, when oilBabe and I spent three weeks in Italy, we had a car for the week we were staying in Tuscany. She was worried a bit, but calmed down once I'd driven her around for a day or two.
The Italians will put three cars and perhaps a scooter where the Germans will put two cars.
oilBabe lived in Japan with her ex-husband as he was stationed there with the Navy. We've also been to South America. At least in Peru, it seems most signs are a suggestion and the vehicle with the most mass has the right of way.
Also, it was fun in early 1990 when all the Trabants made their way to the West. They were more of a hazard than the slow moving trucks who knew the way things worked on the road. The smoky East German cars seems to be lost both in terms of direction and with respect to road courtesy for a while.
"Italian drivers abhor a vacuum" LOL.
Another difference that comes to mind is how the Germans will have greater mindfulness and respect for the kind of vehicle they're driving. Those driving city cars, or towing a camper will know their limitations, and seemed more likely to stay out of the faster lanes. In Italy, less so. I ran into a guy driving a smaller box truck on the A1 who thought he was driving a Ferrari.
That said, I didn't experience it as a norm in my relatively short time, and I'm appreciative of the speed limit signs trucks carry on their rear ends, which are gentle reminders to those following that the truck you may be tailgating isn't supposed to go any faster than what they've posted.
I really dug Tuscany, and the Italian countryside.
Originally Posted by bdcardinal
Wasn't that due to so many of their cars came from Japan, New Zealand, and Australia?
Yes, lots of Pacific Islanders living in NZ, they send cars home. Now Samoa can import directly from Japan for it's cars. They used to come from the US mainly, far too expensive.
Wasn't that due to so many of their cars came from Japan, New Zealand, and Australia?
Yes, lots of Pacific Islanders living in NZ, they send cars home. Now Samoa can import directly from Japan for it's cars. They used to come from the US mainly, far too expensive.
I drove a very large Opal van across Germany loaded full of Asians on the autobahn in the middle of the night, from Munich to Stuttgart. It was unplanned, and was a very interesting evening, its a long story. Anyway, the very heavy Opal van preformed admirably, but was not ideal for 100 mph+ driving.
