How to drive in London
It is of course easy enough to convert your foreign licence to a UK licence, and if you're coming from South Africa, where we also drive on the left, you might think you're all set. However, besides the rules of the road, every country and every region has its own driving etiquette. Driving in London requires understanding and adoption of its own particular set of habits. Thus:
1. London is a busy and overwhelming city. Drivers here are vulnerable to informational overload and a multitude of environmental stress factors. Be careful not to exacerbate this situation. Flashing lights will only distract other drivers, so avoid using your indicators. If you absolutely must, be sure to turn them on only as you are actually turning the corner - any earlier would be grossly inconsiderate.
2. Space in London is at a premium, on the streets as much as in the property market. Therefore, you should avail yourself of all possible parking opportunities. Leaving corners empty to improve visibility for approaching traffic is all very well in less bustling metropolises, but here it simply won't do. Don't just park up right to the end of the street - park on the corner itself. That's what it's there for.
3. This is a fast-paced city. Combine that with the aforementioned lack of parking space, and you know what you have to do: grab spots where you see them, when you see them. Should a bay be available on the opposite side of the road, don't waste time turning around - you'll lose your spot, and more embarrassingly, reveal yourself as an outsider. Just cross the road and park immediately. Don't worry about the fact that you'll have to pull out into oncoming traffic; this will simply add a much-needed fillip to an otherwise boring journey for the other drivers on the road.
3 comments:
If I read these rules outside of the context of your blog, I'd probably believe them.
I've only been to London once, and it was several years ago (before I could drive). I don't remember a lot of the details of the trip, but I very much remember being frightened while riding in a taxi from the airport, because the driver was INSANE.
Oh, and I remember asking one of those Beefeaters where the "bathroom" was, and he was like, "lucky for you, I speak American." But that's less related to your post.
Also, since anyone driving in London is very busy and may have to change plans and hence destinations at a moment, if, on entering a traffic circle, you think you are taking the first exit, nevertheless make sure you get to the inside lane, since you may get an important destination change while in the circle, which means you have to leave at a later exit. Conversely, if you are expecting to leave at a later exit, get into the outside lane; who knows - you might be required to suddenly take the first exit, to go and do important stuff somewhere unexpected.
Believe it, Omar. People actually drive like this.
*shakes head wisely*
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