This is a thread for any of us doing the opposite of what we are used to and tips for keeping everyone safe, this also great for those arriving in Switzerland.

I'm in South Africa now and it's thrilling driving, some observations:

Sliproads: I realized when I saw the sign "slip road" and figured out what that meant I was driving on the right side of the road, which is not the correct side of the road. You don't turn onto a sliproad.

Robots: Ohhh, it's a traffic light; I kept thinking Bender (not traffic).

Changing Gear: It's not found in the door... my right hand has hit the hand rest several times.

Baboon Crossing: hehehe.

Saving us: "Stay on the left, stay on the left", "hug the curb" and there are 3 lanes: left, correct and right. Phew.

If anyone has any tips to help, I would appreciate them!!! We're heading out in a few and ohhhhh nooo- I am the DD.

__________________
"You put the F.U. in "fun"." TJ Donkey Boy aka Ouchboy

If you are driving a left hand drive car while driving on the right or vice versa it's very easy... The best advice I ever got was to line myself up with the lane divider line closest to the driving wheel... (let me know if this doesn't make sense and I might scribble something up)...

The only reason why people get confused is because when they drive on the other side of the road to what they're used to is because they stick to their old habbits and end up lining themselves up with the kerb instead...

If you abide by this rule, you'll find that everything else comes naturally

Just for my own information; how can you tell the difference between the guys wanting to clean your windshield at an intersection and a potential carjacker? Any tips Ma'am?

One carries a gun and the other one carries a water bottle filled with a mix of washing up liquid and water, they may also carry a sponge or better still a manual window wiper...

(This theory doesn't not stop carjacker from pretending to be a windscreen cleaner)

Its the roundabouts (dont know the US name for that) where you have to pay attention - and a big intersection, turning (left here) and right there.. - remember to stay in your lane(!)

.: Road Sex:.

If in doubt (and you're in a local car) just repeat the mantra, "I sit in the middle."

Driving in South Africa ?

Here is how to acclimatise...

1) Keep your gun on your lap and not in the glovebox.
2) Do not drive below 120 on the Highways
3) Swerve madly undertaking using any lane to get past.
4) Hoot like mad and flash your lights if you want to pass someone.
5) Do not stop at robots if unarmed and unaccompanied.
6) Do not drive a fancy car. (Anything better than a 5 year old Polo)
7) Change positions with your front passenger whilst on the motorway just for the hell of it. Once experienced, try this with the rear seat passenger.
8) Car making a noise ? It's a manual, change up from first.

Wait, so you are saying that South Africa is like Mexico only with more white people in it???

You mean targets ? Yes...

when we were there for a month I was the DD also. I found they drove nice...the lack of rules makes for a fun experience . they let you pass, and then you say thank you by flashing the four blinkers. you drive as fast as you want, your windshield is always clean, you dont have to pump gas. just keep the doors locked and the windows up when standing still. even in the middle of nowhere.

I only found myself going 180 once with 8 people in the car on the wrong side of the road, not even realizing it and getting mad at the oncomming driver haha

Always look both ways, whatever the junction, whatever the turn.

That applies also/especially to pedestrians crossing the road.

That once was just before they banned you for driving for life, yeah?

Lol, thanx everyone! We've now 5 in the car at all times and there is a lot of laughing going at my antics. It is stressful though. Last night we convinced someone to come and get us.

As long as I repeat continually "stay in left lane" and "hug the curb" I think we are good.

xo

Just keep concentrating J, it's when you think you are getting used to it that it can all go wrong. Coming from Aus and driving in Europe has been one of the best brain workouts I've ever had, that and learning a new language, so you should come back wittier!

Nothing beats a hook-turn over tram lines in Melboune to sharpens one's wits...

They're just trying to cull a few northeners.

When my husband moved from Germany to the UK, he helped to train himself to drive on the left by making a point of always walking on the left, ie, on pavements, in corridors etc.

I haven't really noticed if one insitinctively tends to walk on the same side that you drive on ... but it could go some way to explaining why I very nearly have so many collisions with people on pavements/shops etc outside the UK

Agreed--that is the best advice to avoid mashing the passenger side into a wall or the wheels into the curb. Get used to the signage too when in a foreign country e.g. which colour signs indicate highways/motorways and which indicate normal roads. The gear stick you just get used to. All the countries that drive on the left (that I have driven in) don't have the equivalent of the "give way to the right" rule (would be "give way to the left" I guess) that is common here on the continent.

That's the worst--as a pedestrian. I drive in the UK and here all the time and sometimes with the "wrong" car... I have no issues except when it comes to crossing the road as a pedestrian. Seems to be easier driving (maybe because I am used to the roads around the area where I normally drive???).

As we go back to the UK very regularly, we have to make the 'switch' from right to left regularly. Complicated by the fact that here in CH I sometimes drive a RH automatic and also a LH manual. And in the UK I still have my manual RH car. It's a great way to fight Alzheimers, I'm sure.