Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road
Apr 28 '00
So, what's it like driving on the "wrong side" of the road? Countries like Great Britain, Hong Kong, and Japan have the cars driving on the left side with the car's steering wheel on the right side. Recently, I decided to drive in Japan, to try it firsthand. I'll share with you some preparations I made, to make the experience easier and fun:
International Driver's Permit
If you plan to drive in a foreign country, visit your local AAA (American Automobile Association) office and obtain an International Driver's Permit. The one I obtained in California was good for one year after the date of issue, and listed the countries that I was eligible to drive in. Fees may vary, but the permit cost $10 for me plus $6 for taking my picture.
Learn the Traffic Signs & Regulations in Advance
You'll want to optimize your decision making skills by studying up on the traffic signs, regulations, and customs of the foreign country you plan to drive in. In Europe, most traffic signs use the alphabet, and are very pictorial. In Japan, most signs are pictorial, and some use the alphabet. All the important signs that control traffic (Stop Sign, One Way, Wrong Direction) are quite unique and don't rely on the native language alone, so they should be easy to remember. (Note: I can read Japanese, so I learned the signs quickly)
You'll also find out that most countries don't allow you to turn at all during a red light unlike the U.S. which allows right turns on red "when safe to do so." This is a great help, as you won't have to worry about aggressive cab drivers honking at you to force you to take the turn :-)
Learn to Read the Map
There's no need to prove to anyone that you can find your way without a map when you are a tourist. Get lots of maps! Prepare your itinerary ahead of time. You'll want to maximize your alertness on your driving, not on finding your way. This is very important for your first few minutes of driving.
Shifter is on Your Left
The shift lever of your transmission will now be on your left side, controlled by your left hand (instead of on your right side). For automatic transmissions, you should be able to use it intuitively. For manual transmissions, you'll have to get used to moving the shifter toward you as you shift to higher gears, as opposed to moving it away from you when had it on your right side. Keep in mind that the shifting pattern did not flip over, but you did.
Foot Pedals are Not Reversed
Fortunately, the accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals are oriented the same way relatively to the driver, regardless of which side you drive. That's a relief!
Get Used to the Mirrors Before Driving
Most people tend to look at the windshield mirror instinctively to be situationally aware. Guess what? When you look to the right, the mirror isn't there anymore! For the first few minutes, you'll have to force yourself to look to the left for the windshield mirror.
The outside door mirrors will be slightly disorienting, but in my opinion, easier to get used to than the windshield mirror. You'll want to practice looking at your mirrors before you start driving - I recommend you do this for a few minutes.
Turn Signal Stalk is on the Right, Wiper on the Left
For most people, using the turn signal is instinctive, so chances are, you'll be activating the windshield wipers when you try to signal a turn, just like in the movies! You may want to practice this before driving the car, but you'll learn this one pretty quickly.
Left Turn into Traffic, Right Turn Across Traffic
When I first drove in Japan, I kept reminding myself "left turn into traffic, right turn across traffic" constantly until it became instinctive. This is the opposite of the U.S., which is "right turn into traffic, left turn across traffic." You'll be surprised at how quickly your brain adjusts to driving on the wrong side, helped by the fact that you are now sitting on the other side (right side) of the car. However, taking a turn is when you potentially disorient yourself again, which can lead to near-fatal results! Reminding yourself of "left turn into traffic, right turn across traffic" is very critical in your first 30 minutes of driving.
Driving in Narrow Spaces
Maneuvers like parking and driving through narrow streets will require you to judge close distances relative to the car. I highly recommend doing some practice parking before you go driving, to get an initial feel of judging distances from sitting on the right side of the car. This is mainly for building confidence.
Be Awake and Be Alert
If you are drowsy from jetlag or not feeling too well, then please don't go driving no matter how good your reflexes are. For the first few minutes, you'll be forcing yourself to look left for the windshield mirror while reminding yourself "left turn into traffic, right turn across traffic" all the while you are looking out for traffic in all directions as you accidentally activate the windshield wipers as you try to change lane... The last thing you want is for your judgement to be impaired from fatigue or illness.
It took me about 30 minutes to adjust fully to driving on the "wrong side" of the road. Your mileage may vary. I was able to tackle driving on mountainous roads soon after, like driving up Mount Fuji. It's my hope that this epinion will help you enjoy your first experience in driving on the "wrong side" of the road.
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