Driving

I rented a car this fall and didn't really have any problems.  I think you just have to drive defensively.  The hardest part for me will be relearning the stick shift on the other side & learning the new signs.  All is well otherwise.

Speaking from the opposite experience, I never had any problems driving in the States.  I actually found it harder switching back to British roads when I returned, although I soon got back into the swing of it.

The left/right issue has never bothered me, nor LHD/RHD, but then I had LHD cars in Britain for years anyway and have driven all four permutations of LH/RHD on the left and right.  The biggest problem I've ever had was trying to get used to that darned "priorite a droite" rule in France.   

I've often thought that the signage here must be one of the most confusing things for Americans to get used to.  To my mind, American road signs are far more consistent and logical than the Continental signs we use here now.

P.S.  Don't forget:  NO TURN ON RED!   

Andrea had a go at driving the UK yesterday in my car (a very nervous time for me) and apart from driving to close to the parked cars she was fine.  She has yet to master the roundabout but thats coming on her May trip.

That was scary - I had visions of crashing his company car and causing a big mess. I felt like i was learning all over again! Otherwise, I look forward to learning to have more freedom and contribute more overall to our household (running errands, etc...). You would never know Jmaster was nervous - he seemed to have total faith in me and that still amazes me.

The thing about roundabouts, they were a no-brainer for me here because I'd not done them in the US, so I wasn't in the habit of which way to go, whom to give priority to, etc. (I did notice that after I was in the UK for a while, then going over to France for a visit, approaching that first roundabout off the boat totally freaked me..."Which way do I go? Waaa!")

For me it's the traffic lights. There are poles on both sides of the road, and their instruction is for each lane, left or right. I wasn't used to that. One side has a red light and a green arrow, the other has a red...no wait, it's red AND yellow...what on earth! Stop changing! What do you mean? Can I turn or do I have to stop...wha...? (You have just witnessed the failing of my first driving test.)

As for left vs right, no probs. When you move here, it's to unfamiliar surroundings, and you get used to the view very quickly. In other words, when you drive on the left in an area that you become used to, it will feel odd to suddenly drive the same road on the right. You just adapt. The confusion comes when you are in an unfamiliar parking lot and about to leave. Which side of the road do you turn on to?

Also, be aware of when you are a pedestrian. You may think your coast is clear to cross a road, because you looked one way and then the other. Get in the habit of looking one way, then the other, then the first way again. I think it's fair to assume that you will never get it right in just two looks.

I had the pleasure of driving a left-hand drive car in this country. Now *that* is an experience.