Torque Shop: Getting it right in a left-hand-drive car
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Orientation: Remember the driver should be near the median of the road.
PHOTO: AFP
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What are the crucial rules to bear in mind when driving in a country where cars are left-hand-drive, which is the opposite of Singapore?
Most countries in the world follow the European and American traffic system, where oncoming traffic is on the left. Hence, left-hand-drive (LHD) vehicles are used.
If you are accustomed to driving in Singapore and are navigating a LHD country for the first time, the experience can be disorientating. To drive safely, take note of several crucial rules.
First, you will be sitting on the left front seat. There will be mild spatial disorientation, as you will find a width more than half a car beyond your right shoulder – instead of that narrow bit of space you would be used to behind the wheel of a right-hand-drive car.
As a result, there will be a tendency to drive too close to vehicles on the right. On a single-lane country road, you may find yourself encroaching on the grass verge on the right.
The only solution is to force yourself to take your reference from the left of the car. This means you must keep the car and yourself close to the median – which will be on your left. On highways, the centre divider or barrier will then be on your left, if you are on the overtaking lane.
When approaching roundabouts, remember that traffic will be travelling in the counterclockwise direction, in case you find yourself alone with no traffic to take the cue from.
Maintaining lane discipline is important, especially when driving abroad – indicate early when switching lanes. On dual carriageways, overtake cars using only the leftmost lane and keep right at other times.
Parallel parking tends to be on the right side of the road. This requires a slightly different formula because you now need to give the car ample space to avoid scratching the wheels.
It would be useful to observe the general traffic when you first drive off, and do as the locals do. This will familiarise you with the general trend of the traffic, lane discipline and traffic etiquette.
