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We have all got used to judging the greater
distance on our left side but now the width of the car will
be on the right.
Have you ever driven an automatic?
Always have the Parking Brake 'On' when you put the vehicle
into 'Drive'. Just in case the engine is revving or tick-over
is set too high. Otherwise the car may jump forwards...
The Parking Brake may be a foot operated pedal on the far Left
of the wheel well.
Only use one foot (the right one!) for operating the Accelerator
(Gas) and Foot Brake pedals. You can keep the left foot well
over to the left or tuck it up against the seat.
There is a slight (but only slight) possibility that when you
stop quickly you will instinctively stab at the non-existent
Clutch pedal with your left foot. Possibly hitting the Brake
pedal with way too much force.
This is worse in older cars that tended to have long Foot Brake
pedals, not so bad nowadays. Keep that left foot well away!
Most automatics will 'creep' at tick- over without the Brake.
You can move slowly forward by just releasing and applying the
Brake pedal.
Use this technique in slow areas and only use the accelerator
to finally pull-away.
Freeway Driving
Most people are wary of Freeways in the US until they are more
used to driving on the wrong side of the road.
We recommend all British First Time USA Drivers to pick Routes
that avoid Freeways and The Bee Line Expressway if at all possible
for your Arriving Drive.
The two most reported problems with Freeway Driving are that
stretches can be busy at all times of the day & night and
'undertaking' is normal practice in the US. By undertaking meaning
overtaking in any lane and at any side. It's not illegal in
the USA to overtake on the 'inside'. That's the right hand side.
Taking a journey from Sanford Airport to locations West (not
South - the Freeway is travelling South by the compass, but
West to Tampa as far as the whole is concerned) will initially
be quiet for a few miles but the traffic will build up as you
travel through downtown Orlando and then on towards the International
Drive exits.
.As you get to the busier areas, you get lots of locals literally
zooming by on all sides! Changing lanes in front and behind
in a seemingly random ballet.
Making a decision to stick to the lane one from the right (a
theoretical slow lane) doesn't work as the width of the freeway
changes form 3 - 4 - 5 lanes at various points. At exits, sometimes
two lanes exit, sometimes only one. Sticking to the left and
keeping your foot down will only end up with you going too fast...
Here you will also encounter the few American drivers who have
no respect for the Speed Limit.
It's all quite exciting when you are used to it - but after
an 8 hour flight ?
Lane Position
Experience has shown that most UK drivers drive too far over
to the right hand side of a lane. Watch out for this phenomenon
especially when you are in a lane with traffic or parked vehicles,
to your right. You may not be as far away as you think.
Turning Left at a Traffic Signal.
Turning Left at a Traffic Light (signal) can be a little un-nerving
the first few times.
Most major road junctions will have a Left Turn Lane controlled
by a Left Turn Light. It may be up in the air but should never
be so high that you can't see it through the window from the
front row of the grid.
If the road you are turning into is a dual carriageway (divided
highway) just don't forget to be in the right lanes after the
turn.
Go all the way across and then turn left into the empty road
with cars going 'away' from you... Take your time - don't panic.
If you're going Westbound and therefore making a Left turn onto
US192, you must first yield to the 'straight ahead' traffic
that may be coming your way. Usually, this will entail a 'brief'
stop in the middle of US192, before even completing the turn...Once
you get used to it, take your time and start watching for Traffic
Lights in the sky.
It's a doddle! Turning Right at a Traffic Signal - 'The Free
Right at a Red Light' Rule.
You may turn right 'against' the Traffic Light in Florida, but
only if the coast is clear.
You must come to a complete stop first...
Cars in front of you may go through the Red Light and turn right.
This is normal and you should do the same.
Don't get pressured by people behind you...
Take it easy and make sure nothing is anywhere near you coming
from the left before you move.
Move away smoothly and purposefully. Once you start, don't stop
- you shouldn't have gone if it wasn't clear to do so...
If the light is Green, just go.
If you just sit there, people behind will sound their horn at
you!
But, don't be pressured, the light will change soon anyway.
Be safe - not sorry!
The Law
Florida law requires all passengers of cars and vans
who are over the age of 6 to wear seat belts. Passengers 16
and above will be fined individually for violating this provision.
Drivers will be held responsible and fined for passengers under
the age of 15 years who are found unrestrained. Children under
the age of 3 years must be properly secured using a crash-tested,
federally approved child restraint seat. The seat must be a
separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child
seat
It is compulsory to use your headlights during rain.
All drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped
school bus. You must remain stopped until all children are clear
of the road. Violation of this law is subject to a mandatory
hearing. When the warning lights are flashing the speed limit
in front of every school is 15 mph
Parking lights must be used at night by any vehicle on a road
outside town
Children under 6 years of age can not be left unattended or
unsupervised in a motor vehicle for a period in excess of 15
minutesFlorida
Speed Limits
Residential Areas 30 MPH
Highways & other roads 55 MPH
Rural Interstate Highways 70 MPH
Some of the major highways are toll roads often called turnpikes,
but most are free.
Carry your driving licence and rental documents
with you at all times
This advice comes to you from
Roysdisneyvillas |
