A TIP FOR TOURING LONDON: DON’T DRIVE.
Taking a trip on the ‘wrong’ side
As the cars zoomed by me while I was waiting to cross the streets when I visited London, England, for the first time, I was shocked and appalled to see how many “drivers” appeared to be texting, reading or under the age of 10.
But as the cars stopped when the light turned red and I took a closer look, it turned out that these were the passengers — not the drivers.
In England, the person sitting in the front seat on the left side is the passenger — not the driver.
Compared to North America, the steering wheels are on the “wrong” side of the car and the cars are cruising down the “wrong” side of the street.
About two-thirds of the world — including Canada and the United States — drive on the right side of the road and the steering wheel is on the left side of the vehicle. The one-third that does things the other way around includes the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Japan and parts of southern Africa.
So much of our driving is based on instinct and repetition. I found that even as a pedestrian, when things are switched around, every move has to be carefully thought out. It’s something like trying to use your left hand for simple, everyday tasks (like using a mouse on a computer or making a phone call) if you are right-handed (or vice versa) — but a lot more complicated.
It can all be very confusing for a first-time visitor to London — and I never got used to it. Even on the last day in England, I kept wondering why the “drivers” were texting or reading; and when I stopped to cross a street, I instinctively looked to my left — even though that only lets you see which vehicles have already gone by, not those approaching. At most intersections, the words “LOOK RIGHT” are painted on the street. It’s a worthwhile reminder for visitors from other countries. But I never got used to vehicles on the other side of the street; I never got used to steering wheels on the other side of the vehicles.
“I am not too sure you ever get really used to it — you just adapt,” says Sarah Mills, senior reporter with News Talk 980 CJME radio in Regina.
Mills, who’s currently on maternity leave, grew up England and learned to drive when she came to Saskatchewan, where she saw cars on the “wrong” side of the road and steering wheels on the “wrong” side of the vehicles.
“Even after 12 years, I have the odd occasion where I head to the passenger’s side thinking that it’s the driver’s side or reach for the stick shift with the left hand instead of the right. I can’t believe I still do that!” Mills says.
I noticed a few vehicles in England that had their steering wheels on the left side — the same as we do in Canada. It was a stark contrast to Regina, where right-hand drive cars are rare indeed, although there are a few around.
When I saw a Lincoln double-stretch limousine parked on the side of the road, I went over to the left-hand side of the vehicle and was greeted by a friendly, middle-aged chauffeur whose name tag said “Paul.”
I introduced myself, admired his car and said to him, “This is the first Lincoln I’ve seen in London!”
“Ah, there’s loads of them. Loads of Lincoln stretch limos,” he said.
He made a good point, because I did not see one regular-sized Lincoln during my time in London — but I did see several Lincoln stretch limos, as well as Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger stretch limos.
I asked him what it was like to drive a car with the steering wheel on the opposite side of most of the other cars on the road.
“It’s something you just get used to. It’s easier when we take our cars to France, because they also drive on the other side of the road like people in North America,” Paul explained.
Paul’s been a limo driver in London for nine years and previously drove a Chrysler 300 stretch limo.
Paul explained what sets limos apart from regular cars in England, aside from their length.
“More than 99 per cent of all stretch limos in this country are left-hand drives. I’ve only seen five right-hand drive stretch limos in nine years,” Paul told me.
So, to be a limo driver in London, England, one apparently must be able to drive vehicles not only a lot longer, but with steering wheels on the opposite side of most other cars on the road. That would also take some getting used to.
If I ever visit England again, I really have no urge to pick up a rental car to tour the countryside. I love driving, but that would require lots of concentration; maybe on a holiday I would rather be gazing out the window of a train or bus instead of trying to concentrate on basic driving skills. I don’t think a holiday, even an extended holiday, would be enough time to get used to driving on the other side of the road.
I also think of this sage advice from Mills: “I am still not fully acclimatized. Whether it is a visit home or driving here, when you are on the other side for the first time again, you still get the inevitable moment of panic and a tight grip on your heart as you turn a corner and just for a second question whether you are on the ‘right’ side!”