Driving
for UK Guests.
After spending some time in
your Orlando Villa you will want to to get around in Florida
, a car is essential.
The most obvious difference with driving in the USA is that
they drive on the Right hand side of the road and the Left
side of the car.
The biggest difference to this is that in the US you will
be on wrong side of both the road and the car.
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 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!
This advice comes to you
from Roysdisneyvillas Orlando villas in Florida - Villas
of distinction with heated pools and Spas, tastefully furnished
and only 12 minutes to Walt Disney World. |
