Tuesday, 9 August 2016

Driving on the other side

So, I hear you ask, how is the driving on the right hand side of the road working our for you? Actually so far, so good. We didnt drive in Canada, so that was a really good time to be a pedestrian and get our heads into the change, without the pressure of driving on the other side and navigating a new city at the same time.

North America is waaaaaay better at being pedestrian friendly than New Zealand is. No longer do we have to take our lives into account everytime we step out to cross a road (aka NZ). In Canada J-walking can stop traffic and create a bit of chaos! Here pedestrians often have right of way and drivers make a lot more eye contact with each other and pedestrians. I think it might have something to do with the four-way stop signs. Yes - you read that correctly. Imagine a four way intersection with four stops signs - first car there has right of way, and take turns. This means you have to interact with the other drivers and slow down. So far, so good!

We have bought a car, a subaru forester. Subaru's seem to be the most popular vehicle here, and second hand ones for sale between about 2002 and 2014 are rare.

The "new" wheels - with sunroof (kids LOVE!)
We have adapted to driving on the right hand side pretty well. And I now have a much better appreciation for our au pairs challenges when they had to drive on the left in NZ. There are a few odd signs and traffic light signals which we are learning. The bit I tend to forget are the things I dont even realise are automated - like going to the correct side of the car, and reaching over the correct shoulder to get the seat belt strap when I sit down!
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5 comments:

  1. Angela11 August 2016 at 06:49

    Be careful about this four-way stop. Some drivers do not pay attention. Alternatively, if you hesitate too much, another driver might just go ahead.

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  2. Anonymous11 August 2016 at 15:36

    Whoever has the ugliest car has right-of-way.

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  3. Liz11 August 2016 at 23:26

    I'm always amazed as to how "au pairs" and tourists adapt to driving on the "wrong side" of the road. Love your new car.

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  4. Eileen Climo13 August 2016 at 19:11

    And backing out of driveway onto a road a challenge too as you can back onto wrong side. Loved four ways in Canada. They move traffic and make people responsible instead of mindlessly being directed by traffic lights. However they would NEVER work in Perth.

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  5. Unknown14 August 2016 at 16:27

    I am guessing you have an automatic, that makes it a little easier. My sister and I hired a car for two weeks in Spain. It was a manual so not only was I contending with the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of the car but changing gear with the wrong hand! Got my sister's knee a few times! Her job was to make sure I was getting off roundabouts in the correct lane. Having a navigator that watches what is happening helps.

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