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Going for a driving holiday overseas? AUTO BILD INDIA gives you some top advice on driving etiquettes and rules abroad
For those accustomed to driving on Indian roads, driving overseas can be harrowing. Everyone drives in their own lane, nobody honks, they stop for pedestrians to cross and in most countries they drive on the other side of the road. So, if you are going on a holiday abroad where you intend to do some driving around then it will require some mental preparation. Here are 15 top tips on driving abroad that will keep you from trouble.
Apart from the Commonwealth countries that follow the UK's driving laws where you drive on the left side of the road, a majority of countries around the world drive on the right side of the road with the driver on the left of the vehicle. Be extra careful to ensure that you are driving on the correct side of the road, especially if the road doesn't have a divider.
Keep to the right of the road when negotiating a roundabout in a country where people drive on the right. More importantly, remember that the vehicle entering the roundabout from your left side has the right of way. Note the little upturned triangles in the illustration 'Give Way' signs. If you can’t enter the roundabout before the other vehicle, stop at the line and wait for him to go first. In case you flout this and end up in an accident, then you will be deemed the guilty party by the authorities.
Driving overseas is also a matter of discipline. Everyone drives in their designated lane and changing lanes is done smoothly without cutting anyone else off. Check in all your mirrors and over your shoulder to make sure that you will be obstructing no one when you make your move. Then signal your intention, check again and move to the other lane smoothly. Do NOT drive slowly in the fast lane, especially since most countries use the fast lane as an overtaking lane.
Do not enter a junction if you cannot make it across completely at one go. In many countries if you are caught in the middle of a junction when the signal has turned green for some other side and your car is blocking the junction you could be fined heavily. If there is a separate lane for turning left and there is a stop line, then stop at the line until it’s green for you to go. Do not turn the car half way into the junction and then wait. Also, do not try to jump queue by manoeuvring the car out of your lane.
Most countries require the driver to show courtesy and respect to the pedestrian. So, if a pedestrian has stepped off the sidewalk and onto the road you must stop the vehicle, even if it is green for you to go. In many countries you will need to stop even if the pedestrian is crossing at a point that is not a pedestrian crossing.
In almost all countries the onus of checking and waiting, if required, is on the vehicle that is coming out onto a main road from an arterial road. So, if you’re joining a main road from a lane or even a road, stop or slow down to a crawl, double check that it’s clear for you to join the main road and you'll be in no one's path. After joining the main road quickly get up to the speed of the other vehicles.
Maintain a safe distance with the car ahead. Use the two-second rule (mark a reference point on the road and cross the same point 2s or more after the car ahead has crossed it). In many countries if you hit another vehicle from the rear the authorities could deem it your fault for failing to maintain adequate distance. In case you are being tailgated, increase the gap between yourself and the car in front to give you more reaction time.
Of course there is a speed limit and you are required to observe it, although most countries will allow some leeway to almost all drivers. However you should also note that in some countries there are minimum speed limits for certain roads like expressways, where you could be fined for driving too slow. This is done to ensure that no one is driving at a speed that will put them at risk of collision from behind.
Apart from the usual traffic signs, signals and traffic police, driving overseas is heavily dependent on road markings. Ensure that you are familiar with all road markings of the country before you start to drive there. For instance, if there is a barrier line (unbroken line) in the centre of the road, do NOT cross over to the other side. It’s a serious offence and extremely hazardous since it puts you at grave risk of a head-on collision. One is allowed to cross over to the other side of the road only if the separator at the centre is a broken line. Also, if there are markings that show a specific cycling track, like the one shown in the picture below, do not drive on it.
Make sure you give the correct signal about your intentions. The hazard warning lamps are there only to signal a stationary hazard or a stationary vehicle. Do NOT drive with the hazard on, even if conditions are foggy. This could be confusing for other drivers since they wouldn't know whether you intend to make a left or right turn. Flashing the headlamp is meant to be used only to signal to a driver who may not have seen you and is about to cut across your path. It is NOT meant to give you right of way. Nor is it an indication of your intent to overtake. Also, don't drive with the headlamps on high beam. This may earn you a fine.
While rules may vary, most countries will insist that your child is properly harnessed in a child safety seat. If you’re travelling with a child make sure you fi nd out what the laws about driving with children are and that you’ve acquired a good safety seat for your child.
Be careful where you park your car. Note how other cars are parked. If all cars are parked parallel to the kerb then do not park with just the nose in, since it would then be a violation. If there are markings in the parking lot, designating how much space a car is allotted, make sure your car is parked between the lines of the box and not straddling the line.
Things from inside cars do get stolen. Make sure you don’t leave valuables in your car and keep windows closed and doors locked at all times. Also check if you can get insurance cover for total loss of the car, including theft.
Abroad, the horn is rarely used, and that too only in extreme cases. It is only meant to make another road user aware of your presence in case the other driver has failed to notice you and is making a move that might put your vehicle at risk. Never honk to show frustration and repeated honking or a loud blast of the horn is a strict no. In case someone honks at you (usually a short blast), it is probably a warning that you’re doing something wrong.
Unlike in India, the authorities in most countries will enforce traffic laws and rules, without exception. Always stop when a policeman flags you down. Never argue with them since it is considered an offence to argue with an officer on duty, in most countries. Answer all questions politely and patiently. More often than not it will be a routine check.
