Driving in the UK - Americans in England
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- Опубликовано: 12 июн 2024
- A native US driver spends time driving in the UK - he tours around his town and talks about the biggest differences between the US and UK driving experiences.
Subscribe for more adventures: / @schaeferfamilyadventure
Second channel: / @matthewschaefer
Music:
• Distrion & Alex Skrind... 
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Hey guys! Thanks so much for watching this video. I've been receiving a lot of comments about this video and wanted to address the most common comments.
1. We don't think that people in the UK drive on the wrong side of the road, we really meant it as a joke.
2. Lanes definitely have meaning. In the video Matthew uses the words "loosey goosey" to describe driving (3 times no less - who even uses that phrase at all). Of course, that describes the way that it sometimes FEELS to an American driver, but not the reality. In reality, the system for driving has very specific and logical rules in England. Before driving, we highly recommend (as many have said) reading the Highway code.
Please be safe, and if you aren't sure about driving, just ueber or use public transportation. Thanks for watching!
Commiserations that the RUclips algorithm has delivered a bunch of angry British men to your comments section far too quick to criticise in rather rude ways! I'm not sure if it's a universal "guy" thing that they think they're a better driver than everyone else, or a particularly British trait :) Driving in the UK can be a culture shock for US drivers but I'm sure it will become second nature in time. Stay safe out there!
this yankee prick would fail his british driving test....the roads in america are bigger to accommodate american big heads.mouths and egos
Ron Burden what’s the point in this comment? Contributed nothing. Considering he’s not been here long he’s doing alright.
Why don’t you just correct him where he’s incorrect as opposed to belittling him.
In pains me that the road markings in the thumbnail are incorrect! And then I watched the video and found more mistakes in the road layouts.
Schaefer Family Adventure i really loved your video, it’s full of basic info and gives someone from the us a really good heads up. To be honest, if I were visiting from the us, I would never dare to drive in uk so hats off to you. I feel for you, I moved from uk to Europe and it is the same but in reverse. I have only visited the us once to see ancient family and your multi lane inter state roads were terrifying. Things that surprised me were - it was so easy to park, the cost of fuel, you have to pay for fuel before you fill your tank and there are so many police cars ! We were visiting family, my cousin was the local sheriff and I was going to follow him from the hotel, trouble is, a police car came by and I followed it, all the way to the precinct into a car park full of what seemed like thousands of police cars and I lost track of which one I was following. It turned out that I followed the wrong one. So I had to rather sheepishly ask a police person if he knew where the sheriff was ! But even more crazy than that, he answered me with “hey, it happens all the time” I thought, really, the chances of it happening only once are quite slim, but all the time !
You didn't mention that if you allow someone to have priority, through the kindness of your heart, and they do not acknowledge that kindness then you are allowed to kill them.
To US people visiting the UK. Do not drive in London. It's just not worth it.
Totally agree! London is another best altogether.
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure This video shows you the quickest way to cross London! ruclips.net/video/CkOzNK4l8KY/видео.html
Driving in London is easy, just remember to concentrate and don't dawdle .
I find cycling easier and safer
Two rules for driving in London:
1: Might is right - biggest vehicle has right of way.
2: Survival of the most aggressive - you snooze, you lose.
Having said that, Manchester is by far the worst place I have driven and Birmingham is rapidly going the same way :(
I don't think UK drivers are particularly aggressive. I think it just we are so used to the road conditions we are so much more comfortable with different scenarios. While Americans might by a little nervous and holding on tight a Brit would be holding the wheel with one hand muttering "you could get a bus through there"
Haha, this is so true - I don't think I really meant aggressive...I think I meant assertive. The description youve made is very accurate.
mentaldavethefirst ‘aggressive’ has been misinterpreted for ‘local knowledge’. If you know where you want to go you have more confidence and become intolerant of other road users. And we don’t use our horns that much compared to the States.
Im half American, half British, grew up in the U.S. , I got my full UK DL a week ago, passed 0 faults. I find UK drivers are better, much more disciplined, I have a U.S. DL but its only good for 1 year in the UK. Took me about 6 months to master driving in the UK. Roundabouts are easy once you get used to them. Best also you have some lessons with a ADI.Overall the UK will make you a safer better driver.
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure the word you're looking for is 'positive'
Everything is smaller in the UK
The fact that you referred to parking in the UK as a "mare" tells me you're pretty well adjusted to UK life!
I have a friend here who says it all the time! I really like the word, and slip it in as often as possible.
Duncan Sands nightmare
I picked up on that and thought "did I hear him right?" Definitely becoming an Anglophile - Yay! 😊
@Duncan SandsAs in a shortened version of ' nightmare ' and not a female horse lol .
"Lanes don't really mean anything in the UK" that's a worrying statement to make.
It was a little worrying for me when I first got here, but i've gotten used to it!
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure glad you're OK with it now, us Brits have the opposite problem when driving in the states roads are so wide that it's difficult for us to judge exactly where we should be!
That's cos it's not true! Sure, you can cross a broken lane marking when you have to but you mustn't cross a continuous line and on a multi lane road you should stick to your lane except when overtaking - not too different from the US, really.
@@raybishop1130 This is true.
British roads are among the safest in the world.
General rule of thumb, if there are street lights then it's 30 mph unless there's a sign saying otherwise
Good tip! Thanks Andrea.
As a guide, I was taught that if you can see 3 street lamps, assume it's 30 mph unless otherwise marked. That's not the law, it's a guide but again, a driver must be able to identify that he's in a 30 limit. Repeater signs (those little ones from the video) are not permitted for 30 mph limits but must be present for all other limits except National Speed Limit roads and some 20 mph areas. It sounds complicated but it's usually straightforward and if you get a ticket, go back and check (photo) the signage, a limit is not valid unless it's clearly signed at the start of the limit and has proper repeaters - dirty, obscured or missing signs can be used as reasons to get the ticket cancelled. Best not to get the ticket in the first place.
Continuous and evenly spaced street lighting indicates a speed limit of 30mph unless signed/indicated otherwise.
Some country roads will have street lighting that can be spasmodically placed but these are, rarely 30mph.
In the same way, unless otherwise stated, if there are no street lights it's the national Speed limit (60 on normal roads and 70 on roads with a central reservation). Repeater signs are placed every 20-30 seconds (if you are doing the correct speed) if the speed limit does not follow the streetlights rule. When the speed limit changes you see much larger speed limit signs on each side of the road like a gateway.
@@PedroConejo1939 TLDR: Street/road lamps and no signs indicate 30 mph BY LAW ( except motorways that are 70 with or without lights).
When there are street lamps, then the LAW is 30mph. Then add in signed speed Eg 20,30,40,50 on top. The only exception is a motorway because they have the limit of 70 with or without lights. Just to make the point crystal clear if a road has street light it is 30mph BY LAW (unless there are signs for another speed). Hence the rule "lights and signs" for speed guide.
Example; you are on a single carriage way, so the national speed limit is 60mph, then street/road lights show up, now you got to go 30mph BY LAW. If the lights go then you can go back to the limit for the road type (single or dual carriageway).
Example; Single or dual Carr-age way driving so 60mph or 70 respectively, then a sign says 50 in a circle, by law you got to go 50. If the sign stops repeating and concludes with the circle crossed out or the national speed limit sign, then 60 or 70 is resumed.
if only Anne Sacoolas had watched this.
The small speed limit signs are reminders.
The small speed limit sign is a "repeater" sign, If you see one of these you will already have passed the full size sign as the limit changed.
I'm a UK driver who has done a road trip in California. My main observation is this. On a UK motorway, if I indicate to rejoin the left (slower) lane, most drivers in the lane I'm joining will not accelerate in order to prevent me from doing so. On the freeway I found most drivers sped up as soon as I indicated. Therefore, in the US I would leave indicating to the very last second.
As in many other countries, in the UK we have to pass a driving test. If that test is taken in a vehicle with automatic transmission then you are not allowed to drive a car with a manuel gear-stick without taking a further test in such a car.
I didn’t even know we had automatic instructors, I assumed all were manual
@@drakevevo3710 Some driving schools offer the option of automatic. Some specialise in hand controls, etc.
Personally, I worry about people who don't have a disability requiring the use of an automatic being on the roads. It suggests a lack of co-ordination and concentration.
a lot of instructors can only drive autos caus its all they use so teach that.
The top & bottom of this being is that most people in Britain will drive manual cars because if you are seen driving an automatic (I speak from experience!) people say "I thought you would have a FULL licence". An automatic car licence being seen as "half a driving licence'.
Richard (UK)
We don't seem to apply that restriction car rental though. American friends who have only ever driven automatics seem to be able to hire manual cars.
You are the first American I have heard say UK drivers are more aggressive than U.S. Most other U.S Ytubers say the reverse.. Also have to disagree about no one driving over an hour anywhere.
Yeah, aggressive may not have been quite the right word (Brits seem more likely to wave, or let people in for instance but they also seem more likely to cut others off, or block a lane a traffic to get in line).
I will stand by the 1 hour thing though, not as a rule, but as a generality. People in the states often drive an hour as a commute. In the UK it's an excuse not to get out (again, generally).
Thanks for the comment!
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure In Scotland , apart from Central belt, it takes 2hrs to get anywhere!
@@anitawhite6104 Britain isn't THAT small - it's a good 600+ miles end to end on the British mainland. HOWEVER -
The density of the traffic and population mean that driving for an hour or two during busier times might not get you very far.
Public transport exists in much of the UK, and it (kind of) works - it won't be cheaper than driving though if you already have use of a car.
AGREED this so
I live in Chicago, which is home to a lot of aggressive drivers doing dangerous things, like tailgating and running red lights.
On my last trip to the UK, several times I would take a taxi back to my B&B. I would describe the cab drivers' driving style as assertive, as they would maintain speed on narrow roads, and would not slow down/pull over to let opposing traffic proceed until absolutely necessary.
Yellow hatched boxes aren’t for speed cameras, there ‘keep clear’ boxes, and your only supposed to enter them if you exit is clear.
"This is a roundabout"...immediately show a video of someone pulling out in front of someone. Nice!
You're confusing assertive with aggressive. It's polite to raise your hand as a thank you to the driver who pulled to one side to let you pass on their side of the road.
Oh, I definitely know it's polite to offer a wave!
I may have meant assertive, perhaps that would be a better word to describe it.
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure Unless you have a White Van they are ARSHOLES
@peter burry Doesn't make it any less true tho 😂
If we are still generalising you can lump Audi drivers in there as well, also Peugeot drivers (which are the old people) and women drivers can definitely get lumped in there too.
I see where you're coming from... BUT, as a first generation Canadian, with UK citizenship, who has lived in both countries my entire 38 years - drivers are DEFINATELY more aggressive in the UK than they are in North America. Even my father says it - and he was born in York, and never came to Canada until his 30s. When you are used to agressive drivers, they seem less aggressive.
4:40 The National speed limit on a dual-carriageway is 70MPH, unless otherwise indicated. The small speed-limit signs you refer to are called "Repeaters". When you enter a new speed-limit zone, the sign is usually much larger. The repetars are there just to remind you what you should already know, and what your responsibilites are as a driver.
“The wrong side of the road”? How outrageous! I’ll have you know good sir that we drive on the left because it’s the jousting side. 😂
Xelous it’s also because knights would walk on the left side to draw there sword across their body.
Excellent! I'm a UK driver 'jousting' on the roads. Perfect term for it.
@@Some_Random_Asshole a bit of both.
Horses are trained to be led by the right hand because most people are right handed. It follows that most would also have worn their sword on their left side and consequently got on their horse from the left side so they could throw their right leg across the saddle without the sword getting in the way. So if you used mounting platform at the side of the road you'd naturally be on the left side and you had to pass a dodgy looking character you'd want to do it with your sword (or spear) arm nearest.
Britain also had canals where you really needed to have a hard rule to avoid coming nose to nose with the draw horse of a barge going in the opposite direction. You wouldn't want to be between the horse and the water, so right hand, left towpath.
The lane markings are definitely NOT random! That just shows that you don't understand what they mean. Read the Highway Code FFS!
When I saw random I hope you aren't hearing me say "without meaning." I just mean that they aren't as widely followed, and they are less systematic. Thanks for commenting!
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure Spacing and length of markings is an indication of danger. Closer they are is bad and higher risk of accident
@low7782
I know two people that have had their cars written off by Americans, and are you going to ask Harry Dunn's parents to "chill out" too?
The lane markings are usually long white broken lines. At junctions, they become a lot shorter, to indicate that.
@@kevinshort3943 Chill out mate
Finally, an America that can say Zebra instead of Zeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeebra
I thought that and I thought . well done ' lol . I remember how Americans pronounce zebra from watching Starsky and Hutch back in the 70s and 80s and their call sign was ' Zeeeeeebra 3 ' .
A little note on the narrow roads in cities, the cities were built when the only transport was horse and cart, they didn't need big roads
Maybe you could teach the wives of your diplomats to drive on the left
Hello John -
That situation is very sad (I admittedly haven't been following the case very closely). Based on what little I know, it sounds like she is taking advantage of her diplomatic immunity in an unfortunate way.
Hear hear.
As a family friend of Harry. I would suggest you keep your in unnecessary comments that use a death of a child, no less, to back your point.
So unnecessary
@@medler2110
Shut it you bellend.
These flashing lights are called Belisha Beacons. Named after the minister of transport, Lesley Hoare-Belisha.
Oh, good information! How is that pronounced? Be-lish-ah?
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure Pronunciation correct. Glad it was of interest.
Recommend you try driving through the Magic Roundabout in Swindon
Jitterbug Junior or Hemel!
@@Landie_Man Is Hemel where there are about 100 signs on one post?
Hahahahaha good luck
Lots of good advice in the comments to this video - particularly those that refer to 'The Highway Code' which you need to know to pass the theory part of the driving test in the UK. Thanks for posting this video and generating discussion!
To find out about the “confusing “ signs and white lines etc. everyone should buy a copy of the Highway Code which explains EVERYTHING and you need to read it all in order to pass your driving test. The Highway Code is available at most large bookstores such as WH Smith. You didn’t mention in the video that all speed signs are in MPH as in the US. Where there are no speed signs showing, the limit is usually 30mph in built up areas or 60 mph in the countryside. Unlike the US you can park on either side of the road facing either way .
60 countries and 15 islands drive on the left, one THIRD of the world !!
Yeah, get a HC, take British drivers' advice with a pinch of salt. Many (not all) make their own rules. Trouble is, they're not the same rules as everyone else's.
I've noticed that in the comments section - people are quick to give advice that is contradictory to the advice I got form another comment.
The Highway Code is also available as an ebook.
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure There is a saying in the UK, you learn to pass your test then you learn to drive and people tend to learn to drive how it suits them. I couldn't count the number of minor traffic laws I have broken over the years.
Very good observations. I think it’s a great idea to ride for a while before you drive. 😊 that’s what I did for sure! The roads are smaller but their driving is more efficient and collaborative.
I like that way of putting it: "Efficient and collaborative." I definitely think that it is a different style, not better or worse, but different.
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure We actually have a proper driving test, and if you don't take the test in a stick then you cannot drive a stick. As standard speed is 60 you often get a National speed limits sign of a black stripe on white instead of a sign with the number. The speed only drops in residential areas.
The small speed limit sign you pointed at is called a repeater sign.
When you enter a new speed limit it’s a large sign, and any road that is not 30mph has regular signs to remind you of the speed limit. Side roads are only 20mph if they have a 20mph sign.
On dual Carriageway roads cars are limited to 60mph and motorways limited to 70mph, heavy goods vehicles (HGV) have lower limits.
Dual carriageways are 70 mph, it’s single carriageways that are 60 mph unless it is stated what the speed is as some single carriageways are 50
Yes, default speed limit is 30 for residential, 60 for single carriageway and 70 for dual carriageways.
Anything else is always signed, at the entrance to the limit and wherever it changes with big signs and then with small reminder signs (like the one you show) every so often
They will also put reminder signs up for 30 or national speed limit (60/70) if its not obvious or often on the speed camera warning signs
I've driven in the US on a couple of different occasions. I didn't have a problem. You have a ton more space so your roads are bigger.
Also if you see a BMW or Audi driving around by prepared to make an emergency stop
When he said they drive on the wrong side of the the road. That is one of my greatest piss me offs. What makes driving on the right, the correct side? I prefer the term "other" side of the road or even opposite.
I definitely meant it very tongue-in-cheek when I said that! I recognize that it is just different, not wrong or right. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure It's the only known case of right being wrong and left being right
The fact the 90% of the world drives on the RIGHT side rather than the LEFT (WRONG) side
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure It's been proved that in ancient times (Roman Empire etc) people drove/walked on the left (to do with which is your sword hand and therefore what side you can protect yourself better with - if you are right-handed). The reason they drive on the right in the US is to do with large horse-drawn wagons (pre-internal combustion vehicles), the driver had to sit on the rearmost, left-hand horse to control the vehicle....so to see the road better, they started driving on the right.
It's in the name, the "right" side of the road
I have driven in the UK for about 57 years and found most of your comments pretty fair. Maybe not spot on butt very close
Thanks for watching! Glad you found the video to be at least close!
The Last Pilot ...........was the second “T” deliberate?
Great video bro! I loved the part where you drove on the LEFT! Cheers fella
Long Left, Short Right. My mantra the first time I drove in the US. Really helped me to remember which way to turn into traffic! Apart from one traumatic experience at a four-way stop sign, it went pretty smoothly. Obviously the steering wheel was on the WRONG side of the car, but you (sort of) get used to it.
You'll find the larger speed limit signs either just before or just after a junction, where the speed limit changes. The smaller ones are repeaters to make you aware you're still in a 30mph (or whatever) zone.
So helpful! Would love another extra detailed guide
I went to Dallas two years ago and I was so amazed about the comparison 😃
That speed limit sign you highlighted is a repeater/reminder sign; when the speed limit changes the sign is bigger.
And the 'funny' roundabout in Hemel Hempstead.
That box van flying past behind you about 50mph at the end of the video 😂
Remember you need to apply for GB driving licence before your 12 months are up. Only saying this as you don't appear to have read the highway code, so I'm assuming you're using your US licence.
@4:22 The reason that it's much smaller is because it's a repeater that has to be displayed at frequent intervals to remind you that it's 20 not 30. The only time there are no repeaters are when you pass a 30 sign in a built up area or a national speed limit sign on an open road. You are expected to know you're in a built up area (30) or on an open road (60/70) without being reminded until the limit changes again. If the speed is anything other than that (eg 50/40/20) there will be small repeaters on lamposts or posts.
It's not a 60 limit for buses & trucks tho'. Expect to meet slower traffic & be patient if their just obeying the law.
Hi. I had to laugh when you spoke about round-a-bouts here in the IK. I Lived in L.A for a while, and I came upon a round-a-bout in Veince Beach, California. And I insticntly went to travel around the round-a-bout the wrong way (to the left) luckily my passenger alerted me to my impending error to which I managed to correct the car. Phew a lucky escape for me.
If you struggle to drive in England don't drive in Greece or Spain ect.
And forget Thailand or India...
The UAE is mad especially in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, get full collision waver on any vehicle you hire.
Crossing the road in Italy can be scary, cars don't stop at zebra crossings they drive around you..
The small Speed limit signs are called Repeters , there will be a large one at the start of the speed zone,
speed limits we have 3 main ones. 70mph on a motorway or dual carriageway unless signs tell you otherwise. a dual carriageway is not determined by the number of lanes it is a dual carriageway if there is a physical barrier between traffic in opposite direction, like a fence barrier or grass verge. If there is no barrier it is not a dual carriageway it is a single carriageway irrespective of how many lanes there are. 60mph on a single carriageway unless signs tell you otherwise. Assume 30mph on any street with streetlamps unless signs tell you otherwise. All other roads that might be 20mph or 50mph will have speed limit signs
That's good to know about the dual carriageway. I've asked about them a couple times, but didn't really get a good answer for as to what they are (people kind of assume you know).
Thanks for the information!
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure Don't be fooled into thinking a duel carriageway with a central barrier is automatically a 40mph road. If the street lights are less than 200 yards apart or there are no 40 signs then it's a 30mph road. I got caught out by that little gem not long after I passed my test,........... many moons ago. Otherwise just keep up with the flow of traffic and claim ignorance as a foriegner if you're stopped by the plod.
Sections 81 and 82 of RTRA84 make it a criminal offence to exceed 30mph in a motor vehicle on a ‘restricted road’. A restricted road is defined as one where there is “a system of street lighting furnished by means of lamps placed not more than 200 yards (183 metres) apart”.
original.abd.org.uk/speed_limit_signs_2016.htm
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure Have you bought a copy of the Highway Code? In my view absolutely essential for anybody - whether on foot, cycle or in a car if you want to navigate the roads safely. I would recommend that for visitors too; something to read on that long plane flight over the pond. It's also all online.
As far as parking goes, then yes, difficult and the centre of Eastbourne is one of the worst (although not as bad a Brighton). However, there are those out-of-town shopping mall areas where parking is invariably free.
For speed limits there are some general rules to follow: Country roads are often nation speed limit (60), dual carriage ways are national speed limit (70), residential areas usually 30 unless otherwise stated, roads with street lights or houses usually 30. Most roads do have speed limit signs tho
The left hand side of the road is the right or correct side to drive on the.
I once came back to my car at night when it was dark, got in and closed the door and then realized I didn't have a steering wheel in front of me.
I'm embarrassed to say how often I STILL go to the wrong side of the car when I'm in a rush.
One thing I noticed when driving in the States is that you pay before you fill up with "gas", here you fill up then you pay, the 1st time I stood at the pump for about 5 minutes waiting for the person inside the station to turn it on before I realised you had to pay 1st. p.s. we call it petrol not gas.
I a UK person, while driving in California I came to a 4 way stop. I pulled to a stop and so did 3 other cars at at the other stop signs. Just for a few seconds I wondered who was going first? The guy with the biggest car? The guy with the most expensive car? Or the guy with the most powerful car? We sat looking at each other but I got tired of this and stomped on the gas.
The small speed limit signs are usually repeaters. There is normally a bigger version of the road sign when the speed limit changes. If there is no speed limit sign, our highway code states that if the area has lamp posts, it should automatically be assumed its 30mph. We also have different types of speed camera in the UK. Some are just based on the speed you pass them (Gatso), others are based on average speed (SPECS). Road dividing lines are pretty important. If they dashed/not solid you can cross, but if they are solid (usually double) it is illegal to cross/overtake.
Welcome to England and, even better, East Sussex. You will definitely find things are smaller here because we are 55 million people crammed into
part of an island which is smaller than many American states. Space is very limited and expensive (take London, where you would pay an obscene
amount of money for an apartment the size of a large shoe-box). I hope you and your family are settling in OK. If you need any info about local
places to visit or other queries, just put a note on the next video......…………………...……………..the ancient Englishman (in Brighton).
Wow, thanks for the warm welcome! We've been settling so well, and finding that people are very welcoming. We had a chance to visit Brighton a couple weeks ago, and found it enjoyable as well.
Thanks for watching, and for the comment.
Don't take the criticism of your comments too seriously, Mathew. We all think we're the best drivers in the World, and love to berate others...even those feeling their way in a strange new system. You'll be met with plenty of sarcasm too, which I've often found takes Americans a while to adjust to. Welcome to England!
a word of encouragement to US novices traveling - if you like driving, and you like maps and navigating, driving in the UK will seem pleasant and manageable after only a day or two if you pay attention. I've now got maybe 5 trips under my belt, a few thousand miles both stick and automatic, and no mishaps. If you're comfortable with a stick shift at home, even on the first day it won't make much difference whether your UK car is manual or auto.
I found your videos by accident and have watched quite a few now, mostly out of curiosity to see how my country is perceived. I have to say, you are all incredibly polite and thoughtful when you’re giving your opinions. I’m really struck by how courteous you are. Even when some people in the comments section are a bit critical you are still so sensitive to the point of view of the person commenting (I’m ignoring the actual rude or abusive comments, obviously, and am so sorry you get any of those.)
I think your kind and gentle approach is really appealing and it’s why I’ve subscribed. I don’t know whether you’ve already done a video about it but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the difference in manners etc. I probably don’t mean manners per se, but I know sometimes we’re perceived as rude because it can be more acceptable to be outspoken or disagree with someone’s opinion whereas I’ve met Americans who are incredibly polite and considerate about not offending people and are far more thoughtful about how they speak in company. Clearly that’s a generalisation so I’m not assuming everyone in the US is the same but I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether this was something you noticed when you came to the UK.
Thanks for your interesting videos and I hope to see many more of them 😊
Claire,
Thank you so much for the incredibly encouraging and kind comment! It really makes a big difference to get such thoughtful feedback in midst of the sometimes less kind critique.
We have one video that comes close to what you are talking about (British etiquette difference), it't not quite what you are talking about, so we may have to do a follow up video in the future.
Thanks again!
Flashing lights either side of the road at pedestrian crossings are Belisha beacons, named so for Leslie Hore-Belisha, 1st Baron Hore-Belisha, Minister of Transport from 1934-1937.
Wow, I didn't know they had a name! Thanks for the fun fact.
Pelican crossing, with call button, with lights, that measure traffic flow before they change. No count down as in US. Toucan same, but also as a bicycle symbol on crossing, as in "Two can cross".
Also a few with horse symbols, called equestrian crossing.
I once crossed a road looking left first rather than right. Luckily there were no cars coming
Very good observations there, thanks. Standards of driving do vary in the UK depending where you are. Many of us also drive on the right when we go to the other parts of Europe. We get used to it. :-)
Just for clarification, you mentioned 'average speed cameras' which are typically only found on our Motorways. These operate totally different to 'speed cameras' which can be found just about on any road (apart from Motorways) and will trigger and fine you if you travel through over the speed limit.
Actually, on that zebra crossing you don't have to stop due to a pedestrian on the other side of the road, because of the island in the middle. Without the island you have to stop unless the entire crossing is clear.
I still find it hard to believe that Americans never developed the use of the roundabout. It’s absolutely ridiculous. They are just so useful to help keep traffic flowing efficiently.
When a singe carriageway road, has regular street lighting, the speed is 30MPH (Highway code)
When the speed limit changes you will pass a gateway sign, which is posted on both sides of the road, the little signs are just repeaters to remind you.
There are some turn left on red light junctions, these have separate Give Way filter markings painted on the road.
We cannot drive a manual car unless we've passed a manual driving test, otherwise the driver is restricted to an automatic, the entitlement/restriction is shown on the driving licence.
It'll always be an offence to go through a red light. There might be a separate filter light (green arrow) or an entirely separate lane not controlled by the traffic lights at all.
As Basil Fawlty once said a lot of the English cars have Steering wheels
The 20 speed limit sign is actually a repeater sign used to remind you what the limit is incase you missed the original change in speed limit sign or if a lot of other roads join, merge into one but either way it is exactly the same as the speed limit sign just smaller in size.
I thought the part about speed signs was a bit off. There are 3 "standard" speed limits: 30mph for built up areas; 60mph for non-urban single carriageways and 70mph for dual carriageways. There are two sizes of speed sign: the larger which was not shown in the video is more common and is used whenever a speed limit changes ie when entering an urban area there will be a big 30. The smaller signs which are what is shown in the video are usually only used for the "non-standard" speed limits ie 20, 40 and 50mph. There will be a large limit sign just like the others at the beginning of that speed zone and then smaller signs every few hundred yards to remind you of the non-standard limit. You don't see many speed signs in towns because a lot of them are 30mph throughout so will have that sign as you enter. For individual roads that are say 20, there will be signs at the entrance and exit saying 20 and 30. As well as this, there is the "national speed limit applies" sign, which doesn't have a number. You generally see this leaving towns and it's white with a black diagonal stripe across it. This seems to always mean 60 or 70mph, depending on how many carriageways there are, though it can apparently also mean 30, but I've never seen it used that way as they seem to always use the numbered signs for 30. Anyway, if you don't see the smaller signs you can assume it is a standard limit.
Did you remember to indicate right at the roundabout at 3:21? That lorry should have waited for you, but I suspect they thought you were going straight on.
40% of new cars sold in the UK have automatic gearboxes. That proportion continues to grow as more people appreciate their benefit, particularly on crowded roads, and the perception that they are less fuel efficient diminishes.
That is true - but without as much snow, your cars tend to stay on the road for longer - so the portion of cars on the road with automatic transmissions isn't near 40% yet.
Interesting fact!
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure Yes, that is certainly the case. It is also more socially acceptable in the UK to own and drive an "elderly" car, especially one of character. At certain levels of society in the USA, one is expected to own a relatively new model or else be regarded as poor. When I lived in New Jersey, a recently arrived European family drove their imported, aged, but prestigious, Mercedes. Fellow parents suggested they be excused from contributing to the school fund-raising event on the grounds that were clearly struggling financially as they had an ancient car.
Yeah, social class in the states is largely (unfortunately) judged based on possessions like house or car.
It is interesting the differences. I personally like driving an older car, so I fit in a bit in the UK in that sense.
Schaefer Family Adventure 3.6% of the UK population bought a new car in 2018, compared with 4.6% in the USA. New car ownership is basically almost the same in both countries 🤗
Of course, we can always tell exactly how old pretty much every car registered in England, Scotland, or Wales (but not Northern Ireland) since 1963 is, from the registration plate. If it’s got a single letter at the end, it dates from 1963-1982, a single letter at the beginning is 1982-2001 (what the letter actually is identifies the year, or later, the half-year), while two letters and two numbers is since 2001.
Such a good video! I am a Brit in the US and have found driving over here easier than in the UK, mainly due to the wide roads and automatic transmission! haha
Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
Where are you at in the States?
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure Texas! Where are you from?
We're from a little bit of all over! We spent a couple years in Abilene Texas though, and loved our time there!
@@SchaeferFamilyAdventure That's great! Are you liking England so far??
@@teaandabutty So far we love it! I really like the "fall" weather we have been experiencing!
A Zebra crossing as shown in the first few minutes is actually two crossings. As there is an island in the middle of the road, it is treated as two separate crossings and a driver is not obliged to stop if pedestrians are crossing on the other side of the road.
In the UK if you pass your driving test in an automatic you are restricted to it but most people take their test in a car with a manual gearbox because there is no restriction and they may drive an automatic also
speed limit signs are basically everywhere, those smaller ones are usually reminders as opposed to the larger signs that signify a change in the speed limit, but yes even without the signs you should know based on the types of raods what the speed limits are
That 20 mph sign is small because it’s a reminder sign mid way through a 20 zone, at the start of the zone there would have a full size sign.
The dotted lines down the centre of the road vary in length to signify a hazard ahead, short lines, big gap means no hazard ahead, long line, short gap means there’s a hazard ahead.
A road will always have a posted speed limit if said limit is the same for all vehicles, ie 20,30,40,50 mph. If different vehicles have different speed Limits then a national speed limit sign will be used, a white circle with a black diagonal line through it, in this case you are expected to know what the speed limit is for the vehicle you are driving, for instance on a single carriageway road with a national speed limit the limit for cars is 60 but for goods vehicles over a certain weight it would be 50, on the motorway the limit for cars is 70 but again for those goods vehicles it is 60.
I've been to the U.S. many times and driven thousands of miles over there, and love the fact there are practically no roundabouts!
...and yet roundabouts work *_so much better_* than traffic lights.
Like you I too have driven in the US of A for many thousands of miles and have found quite a number of 'traffic circles' as they are want to call roundabouts. They are so much better than 4-ways which are so tricky.
Matthew - the yellow box hatch markings mean you are not allowed to enter the junction unless your exit is clear - ie you are not allowed to come to a halt on the yellow hatch marks. The idea is that you do not block the junction by stopping in the yellow box. It's all in that Highway Code booklet from the DVLA.
Agree with your appraisal of UK driving. Nice video!
If you are a right handed bloke approaching somebody driving the opposite way and you drive on the right, how do you stab him with your lance, sword or pointy ball thing on a chain?
Hi, spent a year at university in Oregon, I was an older student so I rented vehicles fairly frequently. First time I drove there it was an automatic. First traffic lights I came to the car about did a handstand, I went to press the brake and clutch but of course both feet ended up on the double wide brake pedal. I also hated that the rules could change as you entered a different state.
We used to visit the only roundabout in Corvallis and watch the locals try and navigate it, very entertaining. I swear 2 cars sat for 10 minutes because the couldn’t work out who had right of way 😁
I thought it was illegal to park opposite a junction!
It's not just crosswalks...pedestrians have right of way anywhere.
I’ve found that it often costs the same in petrol/gas to drive a long distance say 2-3 hours in the UK as it would be to take the train (unless you get a really good advance fare)... 😬😬😬
Just have to say in the UK its possible to do 10 hours plus at times driving I live in Scottish Borders and travel by car to Lydney in Wales that has taken me 10 hours just one way it was so busy with road works etc 👌
In built up areas, or roads with street lights, the speed limit is 30mph by default. If the speed limit is something else (lower or higher) there will be signs to indicate the speed. The small speed limit signs are 'reminder' signs; there will be larger signs when you first enter an area with a speed limit with the reminder signs placed every few hundred meters.
Outside built up areas when there are no street lights the speed limit is 60mph no matter how small the road, although it's frequently impossible to actually go that fast
There are large and small speed limit signs, and they are used differently. A large sign means the entry to a zone of a particular speed limit value (including the diagonal black line on white which means National Speed limit). Small signs are reminders within that zone. In addition the presence of street lamps means a 30mph limit _by_ _default_ and the lamps themselves are 30mph reminders. The small 20 sign on a lamp post @4:15 is over-riding that default 30, reminding you of an earlier large 20 sign. The National speed limit varies with the type of road and vehicle. Eg for cars on dual carriageways and M-Ways it is 70. You often get small national speed limit signs on lamp posts to cancel the 30mph implication.
RE white lines: short broken white lines mean you're allowed to move over into the other lane - longer broken lines mean there is a hazard ahead, but you're still allowed to use the other lane if you're sure its safe. Solid lines mean you are not allowed to cross. Sometimes, you'll get a solid line on one side, and broken lines on the other, which obviously means that the traffic flowing in one direction is allowed to move over, but the traffic on the solid side can't. You usually get arrows warning overtaking traffic to get back in lane, before a line turns from broken to solid.
Also, when you see small speed limit signs, they're reminder signs. Whenever you enter an area with a new speed limit, you should see a larger sign.
It IS illegal to 'under take."
Unless the vehicle in front is turning right or travelling slower than you due to traffic in that lane and your lane is clear. But beware of vehicles pulling into the left lane as you pass.
Strictly speaking it is not illegal to undertake, but it is regarded as bad practice and is to be discouraged. There are, as pointed out, occasions when it is necessary and acceptable but it should always be done with an awareness that the driver(s) you are passing may not expect you to be passing them on their left.
Pretty sure the highway code says it is permissible to "undertake" if the traffic is moving in lanes and the outside lane is moving more slowly, but not living in the UK any more I haven't read it for a while so you may need to check that.
Yep, parking is a nightmare in pretty much any town or city
Firstly the UK does not drive on the wrong side of the road. Back before the model T America also drove on the left hand side and early motor cars also were on the right side. The Amish still drive there buggies from the right side. Europe also were in a mosh mash and followed the Model T as it was mass produced and filled many roads. So driving on the left was the norm. Also if you read a book which side of a book do you read from. So left is the correct side.
A tip for knowing the speed limit on a lot of roads e.g 30 or 40mph is to look at side roads you drive past. If they have a 30mph sign on them at the entrance you know you are at least in a 40mph.
If there isn’t any signs then you know you’re more than likely on a 30mph
I'd suggest reading the Highway Code. It's the legal perspective on all this. But all in all one of the best I've seen on the subject
One killed Harry Dunn by not paying attention.
Welcome to Blighty my friend 👍 good vid
Thanks! It's good to be here!.
It's illegal to undertake flowing traffic, but perfectly fine for queuing traffic, obstructions or turning vehicles.
The white lines are there as separators so that you know what part of the road you have right of way, however if it's a broken white line or dotted white line is another term for the same thing, it means you are free to cross over as the crow flies. The solid white lines indicate that you are not allowed to cross over into that lane in normal flow conditions, though the exception to this is if there is something in your lane that is causing an obstruction which leaves you no choice.
I have heard lots of people say both illegal and frowned upon. I supposed I'll have to check the highway code to find out for myself.
I have driven in the USA, on vacation/holiday, for 20 years and covered many thousands of miles in rentals. After about the second year I found I was automatically going to the driver's side, checking the rearview mirror in the correct place i.e. to my right, looking over my left shoulder when overtaking or right when 'undertaking' and so on. As soon as I come back to the UK and collect my car at Heathrow I switch back to normal, pedals and all. A thing that bugs me with USA vehicles is that a very large number of them do not have seperate indicators for turning. Mostly the rear brake lights act as the indicators which can be very confusing.
By the way you did not mention about the difference in the traffic light sequence. In the UK it's Red, Red Amber, Green; then Green, Amber, Red.
You need to have a dekko of the Highway Code. It shows you all you need to know .
Basically, I think Americans arrive in the UK, get a car, then find it’s a manual. Then presume automatics don’t exist. 40% of cars are automatic. And it’s always an option when you rent a car. Although....that is a really old Honda Jazz so I’m not sure that’s rented? Most rental places use new cars
People keep throwing around the 40% figure, but it isn't quite accurate. Firstly, it's dated info (for instance, less than 25% or cars sold this year were automatic). Also, it doesn't take into account the plethora of -older- cars on the road (for instance the Honda Jazz I am driving, not a rental). I've been in a couple automatics since being here, but far and away more manual transmissions.
The reason is most roads in the UK are 30 so if its 20 or 50 or 70 it had the smaller ones to make people aware the speed signs are usually at the entrance of a road.
A quick point. While it's generally unacceptable to 'undertake', i.e., to pass someone on their left, it IS allowed when driving on a multiple lane highway (dual-carriageway or motorway) and, for some reason, the traffic is queueing and the left line's naturally crawling forward a little faster than that to the right.
It's not illegal to undertake someone on a motorway if they are in one of the middle lanes going under the speed limit. The highway code recognises that it's safer to undertake than to cross 4 lanes quickly especially if the weather is bad.