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 Orlandovillas.uk.com
in Florida - Villas of distinction with heated pools
and Spas, tastefully furnished and only 12 minutes
to Walt Disney World. |
