Overseas driving is great!!

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Bobman

It's the way to be. Autobahns are great.

Unfortunately, the stupid nannies here have imposed arbitrary limits on us and then wonder why so many people die? Fatigue by boredom. The Hume should be at least 130km/h.

But it has to go hand in hand with better driving skills. European drivers tend to have better skills and alertness than many Australian drivers. Some here couldn't be trusted with 130 kph unfortunately. Otherwise I'm totally in agreement with you.

[Bobman]

Originally Posted by new2ford

But it has to go hand in hand with better driving skills. European drivers tend to have better skills and alertness than many Australian drivers. Some here couldn't be trusted with 130 kph unfortunately. Otherwise I'm totally in agreement with you.

Agreed. Some people shouldn't be trusted at a car park, let alone driving on a freeway.

[castek]

but isn't there a drawn out process to get your licence in Europe? i've heard that they have to pass an advanced driving test in Germany to drive on the Autobahn?

[Geez Louise]

Just coming back from overseas and there is nothing and I mean nothing that compares to the driving in Egypt! The rules are simple.(well this is how it was explained to us)

You have a horn, you use it to change lanes...well if you can call it changing lanes. It is common on a three lane road to see cars 6 across. They drive so close that you can actually put your finger out the window and touch the car next to you....Not your arm....just your finger! The lanes are marked but no one stays in them. If there is a slow car ahead, hit the hazard lights to warn cars behind you. Indicators are only used if you feel like using them or after dark as horn usage is kept to a minimum!

It was such a shock getting off the plane and seeing their driving. Goats, camels, donkeys, motorbikes with 4 or 5 people on them and no helmets is the norm on the roads and there is only 2 sets of traffic lights in the city of Cairo. The taxi driver explained to us that people were ignoring them so they removed them and put in roundabouts instead.

I dont think I would ever attempt driving in Cairo but we are in Singapore now and they are the most polite drivers that I have ever seen. They have a points system here for taxi drivers. If they fail to stop for a pedestrian they lose 12 points. At the end of the year 12 prizes are drawn for the best taxi drivers in the city. I will never complain about driving in Aus again that is for sure!

[King Nothing]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

King Nothing, interesting pic - the car you show is registered in Germany.

Can you remember the rental agency??

* Rental cars in the EU market, including administrative locales such as NC, can be registered in any one of its member states. Saves Euro's.

Nah that's not the exact car, just a pic I found on the net. Don't have any access to the pics at work.

[john3136]

Originally Posted by V3RSAC3

driven in London, Italy and France and have too say that England is pretty bad lol,there is so much traffic there and everybody is so impatiant ...

I had the opposite experience in England.
(Birmingham and surrounding areas, not London) - most courteous drivers I've ever seen.
As my uncle put it: "The roads are so small and there is so much traffic, you have to be". But he did put a caveat: It's getting worse as more drivers coming from OS who were not taught "the English way" are getting on the roads.

Watching the traffic in Paris was fun - couldn't figure out the rules, but "don't hit anyone while they are moving" was about it. It's fine to nudge them out of your way when you need to park, but only if they are stationary...

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by john3136

Watching the traffic in Paris was fun - couldn't figure out the rules, but "don't hit anyone while they are moving" was about it. It's fine to nudge them out of your way when you need to park, but only if they are stationary...

I should upload the video I took on top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris showing the traffic around it. It's hilarious trying to figure it out.

[john3136]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

I should upload the video I took on top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris showing the traffic around it. It's hilarious trying to figure it out.

That's exactly where I was trying to figure it out from !!

[SB076]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Agreed. Some people shouldn't be trusted at a car park, let alone driving on a freeway.

That I beleive is the problem in Aus - everyone gets a license, you may fail a few times but sooner or later you wiill prevail. Also people moving here from overseas should be retested before getting there license

[GTP534]

I've been driving in Brunei, a South East Asian country, for about 12 years out of the last 15. People don't observe the road rules much at all and the police don't really enforce the laws. It's good fun driving here but you have to be alert.

I've also driven in the Philippines, LHD, that was a scary experience!

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by Bobman

It's the way to be. Autobahns are great.

Unfortunately, the stupid nannies here have imposed arbitrary limits on us and then wonder why so many people die? Fatigue by boredom. The Hume should be at least 130km/h.

NSW Hume 'dual carriageways' cannot safely go to 130km/h. Hume 'freeway lengths' could.

Originally Posted by castek

but isn't there a drawn out process to get your licence in Europe? i've heard that they have to pass an advanced driving test in Germany to drive on the Autobahn?

Advanced?? No, its emphasis is on defensive driving, and it costs about 3K. Its pupils are even made to set up a triangle and to check wear the safety vests that EU mandates for all its cars:-)

Autobahn driving; the learner (D plate) must demonstrate sufficient profiency at 130km/h minimum. No pass for routinely being in the middle-lane of otherwise empty three-laned autobahn.

In Australia some discreet background noise for a national maximum 90-100km/h owing cost of fuel...... Yanks considering 55Mph again..... carbon print etc......Zzzzzzz Won't happen.

[sgt_doofey]

OK, here it is. Traffic around the Arc de Triomphe. Click on it to view the video.

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

OK, here it is. Traffic around the Arc de Triomphe. Click on it to view the video.

YE GODS!! that's unbelievable :P :P

[marcosambrose]

Insurance companies do not pay out if the accident occurs at the Arc de Triumph... true story (luckily i dont know from experience hehe)

[snappy]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

OK, here it is. Traffic around the Arc de Triomphe. Click on it to view the video.

Love the commentary . An as for insurance who would ever know who's a fault.

[XR_Strider_GuY]

Speaking of oversea's driving, I have been in the states for a month and have been there and back since the start of the year. I am loving it here. No speed camera's or gatso's, police actually book people only if they are genuinely speeding and driving well above the speed limit. On a 60mile posted speed limit everyone drives 70-75miles an hour. I could live with this system, you play you pay, cop the fine in the chin knowing that one is speeding well over.

I am driving an 08 Chevy Impala SS with a 303hp (228kw) 5.3L V8. Heres the unique thing, its driven through the front wheels. Fatally flawed dynamics but still great fun sedan to drive. Fairly flys this Impala and has enough power to get away from your average Five point O stang.

[ea90gl]

Originally Posted by aquahead2001

I'm on my third trip to Qatar in the Middle East, the first two trips I passengered it but on this trip I took the plunge and started to drive.

Big tip for the your first drive in the middle east, do it on a Friday! As friday is the official day off, there is a lot less traffic and it seems to be a lot calmer. Saturday is also a good day but Friday's are like an Aussie Sunday morning!

So far I've had a few scares, especially at round abouts, where it's a first in first served approach, but generally, driving is not that difficult. I've had a couple of occasions when I've turned into a very minor street in town and driven on to the wrong side (Did it last night and the guy coming towards me just casually passed me on the right!!!) but you quickly realise your mistake and correct.

Yes, there's heaps of accidents and if you get ou to the Panel Beating Area at the Doha Industrial Area, the damaged cars are the stuff of nightmares.

We had a new Driver start on Monday and he lasted 1 hour before ripping the front off the Pathfinder he was driving. Three lane round about, he was in the middle lane meaning he could go around the round about and exit on the second exit and a women in the inner lane who should exit on the third or forth exit, drove straight across his path to exit. Needless to stay a Land Cruiser is stronger than a Pathfinder (previous model to current Aussie version).

Now you'd think that she'd be in the wrong seeing she cut him off etc, but no, the rules here are simple?!@#$#^ If are in front you may have right of way. Or if you're a Qatari you can have right of way and if your a Qatari Women, then no one will question what you do!!!!

there are lots of Muslims in Qatar hence the empty roads on Friday. to the Muslim religion thier friday is like our Sunday, or the "day of rest" as they call it. Interesting how this thread came up, just came back from Lebanon a few days ago and I was gonna start a thread like this!! hehe. any way coming from there back to Aust really makes you realise how tough our laws are and how strict things are which REALLY can dampen the driving experience. Thats not to say its fun to be dangerous on the road, its just good to be able to drive sensibly most of the time and if you want to give your car a squirt you dont run the risk of breaking 15 laws that were introduced just cause 5 moron drivers out of millions made a big mistake and handing over big $$$
Over in Lebanon there is very very little law enforcement by the few police (more enforcement in the capital Beirut) but what is so interesting is how the people of the country have developed thier own way of common sense and so many unwritten rules. There is one major highway that runs along the whole coast of the country which is a blast to drive on, like many have experienced you'd be sitting on 150kph and cars will just fly past you. All slow cars stick to the right (people drive on the left hand side of the road), average speed cars in the middle and the fast cars keep to the left. If you want to fly hazards are kept on in the night while high beams are kept on in the day and give a quick beep to say you are coming, if you do this they all move for you hassle free. Go into the cities and its pretty much first in best dressed, its like there is a million dollar prize ahead and the first to get there is the winner. Very little traffic signs so if you want to do a U turn or whatever just go for it. However like i mentioned everyone works together and the most important thing in the car is your horn, not to blast people (like we do here) but its a means of car to car communication. Since there is many moutains in the country (getting 2km above sea level takes about 45mins) hills driving can be a blast BUT you still have to be carefull in some places since the roads are very thin. No laws but plenty of common sense makes driving so much better over there and really its makes jumping in your car over here pretty depressing

[Keepleft]

Bernd Felsche has a few EU drive vids on this weblink, take a look at a couple, like the scenery;-

[SumoDog68]

It was not me driving but came across this one while looking for BMW330 Diesel info.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtiz8X1uJAA

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

OK, here it is. Traffic around the Arc de Triomphe. Click on it to view the video.

I was lucky enough to drive into this circus in the first few days that standard European roundabout rules (as per UK) were introduced in France. Prior to that the French had their own "technique" :

I start to enter under the UK-type procedure and what did I find?

The French still had their own technique..............

Its madness :togo:

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by SB076

Also people moving here from overseas should be retested before getting there license

Well that depends where they came from. Most European drivers are trained and competent to a far higher standard than Australian drivers. I have a friend who immigrated from a European country with 17 years experience on his licence, a very good driver. As part of permanent residency induction he has been made to take out a learners licence in NSW and go through the whole procedure like a 16 year old, including being accompanied by a licenced driver. He was returning (alone) from driving his wife to work one day (no other way to do it, they don't know many people yet) and was pulled over in a routine police check (RBT or something). He showed his European country of origin licence to the policeman (which presumably he was entitled to drive on) but the policeman saw his NSW learners licence sticking out of his wallet (unfortunately!). He had his licence confiscated on the spot and fined $800 (about a weeks wages - skilled migrants and they are paying $1000s a year for state schools and no medicare because of no permanency yet - big financial hit below the belt!).

Any comments on the to-me perverse and questionable legality of the policeman's actions are welcome! It certainly defied common sense taking a very competent experienced driver off the road while leaving thousands of clowns still on the loose!

[RATT]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

It was not me driving but came across this one while looking for BMW330 Diesel info.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtiz8X1uJAA

That's one crazy driver! I am amazed, but not surprised that other drivers kept moving over to let him pass.

[new2ford]

^^
Ah yes, the famous Czech video! Yes its stupid driving, but note how alert other drivers are - obviously watching their RV mirrors which doesn't happen in Australia, and also notable lack of Camrys in outside lane 10kph below limit. Also the 'code of conduct' - at one stage someone wants to pass him and even though he's going flat out himself he still moves over to let them have a go. In Australia the response would be aggressive blocking action, indeed one driver tries that (Australian tourist?) and see the comment and response! If the idiot central character and his car was removed from the film it could have the makings of a good instructional video on appropriate road behaviours.

[bluetuna456]

I dunno. It's easy to stereotype, especially places we're not familiar with. But driving depends mainly on the circumstances. If there's a crap driver in front of you or if the roads are poorly designed and maintained, you're in trouble.

[Homer1]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

I've always enjoyed driving overseas in the US, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Holland, and Belgium. Everyone is so courteous there. Everyone gets out of everyone elses way.
I.e. If you are driving on a multi-lane road and someone quicker is coming up behind you, then you have to get out of there way by pulling in to the right lane.

I totally agree! Drove in Switzerland over Xmas last year and despite the freeways being mostly 2-lane, the lane discipline is so much better that here. Did not run into any left-lane (right-lane here) hogs at all as everyone knew that it was strictly for overtaking only. Even better was that I could drive 120-150km/h consistently (except in tunnels) w/o any police attention as everyone drove at that speed. But in the cities it's worse than here with speed cameras everywhere. I got busted doing 60km/h (force of habit) cause I didn't know the whole of Zurich had a 50km/h limit
:

[RATT]

Originally Posted by Homer1

I totally agree! Drove in Switzerland over Xmas last year and despite the freeways being mostly 2-lane, the lane discipline is so much better that here. Did not run into any left-lane (right-lane here) hogs at all as everyone knew that it was strictly for overtaking only. Even better was that I could drive 120-150km/h consistently (except in tunnels) w/o any police attention as everyone drove at that speed. But in the cities it's worse than here with speed cameras everywhere. I got busted doing 60km/h (force of habit) cause I didn't know the whole of Zurich had a 50km/h limit
:

Loved Switzerland as well. You're right about Zurich, need to be real careful there. I basically spent most of the time walking around and using the trams. Much easier to get around that way.

[SB076]

Originally Posted by new2ford

Well that depends where they came from. Most European drivers are trained and competent to a far higher standard than Australian drivers. I have a friend who immigrated from a European country with 17 years experience on his licence, a very good driver. As part of permanent residency induction he has been made to take out a learners licence in NSW and go through the whole procedure like a 16 year old, including being accompanied by a licenced driver. He was returning (alone) from driving his wife to work one day (no other way to do it, they don't know many people yet) and was pulled over in a routine police check (RBT or something). He showed his European country of origin licence to the policeman (which presumably he was entitled to drive on) but the policeman saw his NSW learners licence sticking out of his wallet (unfortunately!). He had his licence confiscated on the spot and fined $800 (about a weeks wages - skilled migrants and they are paying $1000s a year for state schools and no medicare because of no permanency yet - big financial hit below the belt!).

Any comments on the to-me perverse and questionable legality of the policeman's actions are welcome! It certainly defied common sense taking a very competent experienced driver off the road while leaving thousands of clowns still on the loose!

That's why I think they should be retested (but not go through L's) If they pass then great they can drive, if they cant then they get there L's or lessons or whatever and cant drive until they have passed. But i think the testing procedure requires a major re think (yes i can drive at 10k's below the speed limit and indicate for 100m before making a turn - doesnt mean you can drive)

[TZENU]

Went to Hanoi, Vietnam a couple of years ago...
Absolutely havoc on the roads....Few snaps i took...





Found out that helmets on scooters were optional!!!

I actually went and hired a scooter there. Made it to the first intersection (200 metres up the road) and turned around and took it back!! I didn't fancy the "close your eyes and hit the throttle" theory..

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by SB076

That's why I think they should be retested (but not go through L's) If they pass then great they can drive, if they cant then they get there L's or lessons or whatever and cant drive until they have passed.

Yes makes much more sense than going back to Ls for somebody already licensed and experienced. Practically though the procedure should be country specific (because some countries have poor standards) but this might go against existing international agreements.

[ea90gl]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

It was not me driving but came across this one while looking for BMW330 Diesel info.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtiz8X1uJAA

thats just crazy, ok fair enough you might be used to it but if a mistake happens in them conditions its not just a matter of spilt milk it may be a matter of life and death. But still you have to give him credit for his confidence and ability. If the driver in the vid came here I'm sure they would go crazy or end up in jail within 5 mins of driving