An if you’re in a car, and one of the ubiquitous SUVs are on your left, they will inch up so that you cannot see around them and cannot turn. I hate those SUVs. They’re everywhere.
Oh, and to be fair, since driving laws are created in each state or territory, there are places in the us where you Can Not turn right on red (Just learned that recently) … but yeah, what you said covers it. Think of it as a stop sign. Can you turn right after stopping at a stop sign? Also, if you come upon a stop light that is out and or not working, treat it like a stop sign in all directions. Only proceed when safe, and it’s your turn.
Many don't come to a complete stop, either. Then some won't take a right on red, despite it being safe to do so, because they desire to be a Richard Cranium.
If you don't turn right on red where it's permitted (most places), you aren't breaking the law but you probably are making any drivers behind you angry and they will probably honk at you. I grew up in Washington DC which was designed by a Frenchman so there are large "roundabouts" (aka "traffic circles") all over and whole neighborhoods are named after the central roundabout: Thomas Circle, Dupont Circle and so on. The city was laid out on a grid with numbered street in one direction and lettered streets crossing them at 90 degrees, but then there are the avenues with state names crossing diagonally through the grid and the roundabout/circles usually are where an avenue will cross diagonally through an intersection of a numbered and lettered street so you have 6 entrances/exits to/from the circle.
It has been confirmed by many British people who have come to America that driving in the United States is so much easier and better than driving in the uk. They also like our vehicles better because they are larger and you feel more safe in them. 😊
You can always turn right on red in America unless it specifically says not to. Also, here by me in Houston, there are many stop lights where you can turn left on a blinking yellow. Of course you always have to make sure nothing is coming.
Many cities have started using roundabouts more like speed bumps, to force traffic to slow down, rather as a more efficient intersection. What Americans like about a normal intersection is that most traffic lights are timed so that when traffic is light, you can drive all the way down the street with green lights. If you have roundabouts, then you're screwed regardless.
In New Jersey, we have "roundabouts", however we call them "circles" Though they are starting to be replaced with controlled intersections or overpasses are created.
In the late 80s I drove a manual Rover in Scotland. There were 3 of us on the trip, but one refused to drive and the other couldn't shift (manual). So most of the driving was done by me. I did clip a couple of curbs due to being on the right side of the car, but that was all. When my other friend who would drive but not shift, I shifted for him. He'd just call out 'shift' when he hit the clutch and I'd put it in the gear I knew he wanted. We went to a petrol station only once (Scotland and we only were going to golf courses so didn't use a lot) and it said it was self service, but the gal in the booth noticed it was a rental and insisted on doing the fill up. The biggest issue I had (which didn't affect me since I'd read up on driving in the UK) was the rental company just gave us the keys and told us the license plate of our car. No booklet of how to drive there or anything. There should be something! I didn't know what the speed limit signs meant since half of the UK seemed to be on metric and half on imperial units. There would be 3 numbers on the signs. Just numbers, not MPH or KPH or anything or any clue what the 3 numbers meant. So we just stayed in the outside lane and stuck to the speed of traffic there. We did notice people going at extreme speeds on the inside lane.
I just watched your driving in the U.S. video. I have a feeling if you were pulled over for making a right on red when you weren't supposed to, the cop would let you off with a warning. It's not illegal NOT to make a right on red but you will be honked at.
I have been able to visit the UK twice in my life. I was afraid to even try to drive either time. You have my great respect for having the courage to drive here.
We can turn left on red too in some states if you're turning left onto a one-way street. If you want to see big roundabouts, try New England (where they call them rotaries) especially Massachusetts.
In some states, it's still illegal to turn right on red. Alternatively, in some states you can turn left after you stop at a red light, if you are in the left lane and are turning left from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
Right turn on red, after stop, is legal in all 50 states. The only place in the United States where right on red is illegal by default is in New York City.
Except most drivers have no idea where left turns on red to/from one-way streets are allowed so they either do it just about all the time and wherever they are or they never do it. I suspect you are very unlikely to get a ticket for that regardless of the law. If a cop having a bad day sees you, they might give you a "warning". Then you'll know whether it's legal or not.
In the Caymon Islands they drive on the left, but because of its close proximity to North America many of the cars had left hand drive. It took a bit to adjust.
Before I retired I lived in Lincoln, NE and in the last couple of decades they’ve gone for roundabouts in a big way. Makes driving there so much easier. I wish they were used much more in the US.
Norfolk, NE keeps adding them. I keep hoping for more! After driving in the UK in the late 80’s I have looked forward to each one. They are safer and quicker than 4 way stops which my parents and grandparents seemed to like.
@@ideasmatter4737 My hometown, Blair, NE, got he first state-highway "major" roundabout in the state. I don't live there anymore so I'm not sure how well it works, but ...
Hate round abouts. Cars coming in and cars trying to turn out to roads with everyone trying to cross over someone else all while trying to read signs to know which turnoff you need. Meanwhile other cars are moving in or out looking for their turn offs.
Single-lane roundabouts are great, in low to medium-volume traffic areas. Multi-lane roundabouts are stupid and evil, and the number of conflict points and stupid drivers do not mix well.
On the East Coast (New England area), they do have the roundabouts that are huge and have traffic lights. They call them “Rotaries” or “Traffic Circles” if they have stop lights and such and are connecting bigger roads or highways. If you say roundabout in the US, like you said, people will usually think it’s a little one, with a lane or two that goes around in a smaller intersection.
Right on red, legal unless otherwise marked. For a basic intersection without a traffic light, I think a roundabout is a better option than a 4 way stop.
Most Commonwealth countries drive on the left. Canada is one of the exceptions . Plus Japan drives on the left. The US Virgin Islands also drive on the left the only place in the US does
Drove in Ireland (left side) and your list was right on. Their lanes were tiny and a lot of roundabouts. Drove on the motorway and surprised it was only two lanes per side.
there are more right side driving countries than left side..with the 'right on red' comes in, you are only given that right if you are the first in line. if you find yourself in that lane but plan on driving straight ahead, the car behind you cant hurry you up or force you to go right because tthey want to because they arent the ones up front. you are made to stop, and if you fee safe you can go right on red (as long as there isnt a sign saying no. with our roundabouts (rotarys, traffic circles) we have lots of bigs one, but the right of way is given to the cars entering the circle and i believe in the uk, the right away is given to the cars within the circle. in my town in massachusetts (i live in massachusetts and florida) we have a new roundabout that is actually built like a peanut shell because there are eight turnoffs.
'Turn on red' is the same as if you have to yeild to cross traffic when you're turning, at an intersection where there isn't a light. I think a lot of people over think it.
Also, a tip on the multilane highways, where you may have four or more lanes you can travel in. Pay attention to the road signs. The sign for your exit or highway number will be above the lane that will take you there, and they usually give you a two-mile heads up. So, when you start to approach your exit, look for the signs for it and position yourself in the lanes beneath it.
I visited the UK a few years ago, and driving there was definitely an adventure! I totally agree about estimating where the other side of the car is. My first day driving in the UK I sideswiped the curb several times. Generally I think it's easier to drive in the US due to the wider roads; however, I thought British drivers were more polite.
Here in New England, they built giant roundabouts/traffic circles with traffic lights (called "rotaries") in the mid-1900s. All or nearly all have been replaced because they tended to make traffic jams worse, cause more accidents (I think), and make navigating more confusing for tourists. My town does have a few small roundabouts that do not need traffic lights, and I wish there were more.
Hi guys! I'm enjoying hearing about your adventures and education in and of America. In New Jersey the north south road is called The New Jersey Turnpike, and most of it is 6 lanes each way, 3 lanes for cars only and 3 lanes for trucks and buses that cars can also use. After you pass a certain exit, i think it's exit 5 (it's been a while since i lived up there) it narrows down to 3 lanes again. Roundabouts or what we here just call circles are being slowly phased out because of the accidents that happen getting into or out of them. Looking forward to your next video, i'm sure you have hours more video to sort through.
Two thoughts: Go to Washington, D.C., and you'll find many major intersection roundabouts. Also, regarding right-on-red, it's always optional; you're never required to, although you may find someone behind you honking at you if you don't go. Unfortunately, many Americans forget that it's right on red AFTER stop.
A lot of former British colonies drive on the left. One example, I lived on the island of Antigua for a couple years when my dad, who was in the US Air Force at the time, was stationed there. The island use to be British before gaining their independence in the 1960s. They drive on the left. I was a child when we were there, so I never drove, but my parents adapted to driving on the left pretty quickly.
Your phone GPS gets its maps via the cell network, and if you're roaming, your latency(time delay) will be greater. Also, every former British colony drives upon the left side of the road except the United States, and Canada.
In USA you never are required to turn right on red. Some impatient drivers behind you may honk their horns if they feel it is safe for you to turn right on red. But it is optional.
Pretty comprehensive list of countries and territories that drive on the left: Antigua and Barbuda Australia Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Bhutan Botswana Brunei Cyprus Dominica East Timor Eswatini Fiji Grenada Guyana Hong Kong India Indonesia Ireland Jamaica Japan Kenya Kiribati Lesotho Macau Malawi Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Nauru Nepal New Zealand Pakistan Papua New Guinea Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa Seychelles Singapore Solomon Islands South Africa Sri Lanka Suriname Tanzania Thailand Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tuvalu Uganda United Kingdom and its territories United States Virgin Islands
I love roundabout and wish we had more here in the U.S. The first time I drove through one I was confused but it's easy to get the hang of it, the make traffic flow easier and quicker because you're not waiting at red lights all the time or coming to a full stop at stop signs, and they save local governments lots of money since they don't have to pay for the upkeep of traffic lights or use any electricity to run them. People here just have to get used to them and be more aware of yielding.
When only your lane can enter the intersection, there's no danger in making a U-Turn from the left lane, as long as your car can actually make the turn without having to stop and back up. The width of the road is probably the issue in the UK.
One of the reasons you don't typically see larger roundabouts here is because our engineers have found that, with our traffic counts and rates, they really only work well up to about a moderate-traffic intersection. We classify non-freeway streets in three categories: locals for the majority of streets (i.e. where people live), collectors for a bit more traffic (they generally take you from your street to an arterial), and arterials for the heaviest traffic (usually for longer-distance travel within the local area). Roundabouts are great for local-to-local, local-to-collector, and even collector-to-collector intersections, but they're not very effective for arterial traffic. You'll also encounter double roundabouts or dogbones at some freeway interchanges -- our department of transportation here in Michigan is obsessed with those. I have yet to see the massive single-roundabout freeway interchanges that you have over there, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone builds one here eventually.
James, you did great driving in the US from what I saw. Way to go! Yes, we love these videos so whatever else you've got, bring it! You should check out the New Zealand family videos. They just got back from a second US tour, part of which they did in an RV. They are also used to driving on the left side in NZ, so you know it was a challenge in a huge RV. Anyway, great video, y'all.
I felt some anxiety about driving in Great Britain in those massive round abouts.. Similar to what you two felt in our multi lane roads here.. Good on you guys for being brave enough to drive in LA..❤😁
You probably won't read this but the real trick to being safe is not merely knowing the law knowing your options as a driver, and knowing your route in the practical application to the physical roads, but also you have to try hard and pay attention to the other vehicles. That is not only seeing where they are physically but also watching each one regularly to build a profile of their mannerisms and tendencies so that whenever something problematic occurs you may better anticipate their reaction so you can avoid them when you select the move you are going to make. Most people don't give it the focus it should have and will instead just drive slowly which is not often the best thing to do and can in fact cause problems when better options would have been safer. I drove all of Southern California for many years in a professional capacity as well as a resident. Sitting in the driver's seat is the same as the Captain's chair in a plane when it comes to the seriousness and focus that should be given to driving in California or any larger cities.
Just a note James, U turns are where cops will be under the overpass slowing the traffic checking for no seatbelts, the windshield registration stickers. These 2 items get them started to run the driver for insurance, warrants, anything they can make revenue from.
I grew up in the 1960s in NYC. A couple of times a year we would drive up to a nearby suburb to visit my mother's aunt and her partner, going up the Saw Mill River Parkway. We hit what we called a "traffic circle" where we had to make a critical turn to get to my great aunt's house. Starting in around 1966 the traffic circle began to be replaced by an interchange, with on-ramps, off-ramps, bridges, etc. It was chaos while it was being built, but everything seemed to go much more smoothly when it was finally finished. Now, 60 years later, the whole thing is falling apart, and everything needs to be reconstructed again. I don't know the details, but I hear people are suggesting going back to the old traffic circle arrangement.
Here in Philadelphia we have a big circle (roundabout) in front of the art museum, the steps Rocky ran up if you've seen the movie. I hate driving on it.
The "Turn right on Red "thing? It really was pretty much started back in the 70's. It started as a way to save gas rather than keeping the car running. With gas prices soaring, this was one of the idea's. Took some getting used to, but in the 70's 80's it was a sore subject.
I felt much the same way driving in Ireland and Scotland. First off, I had to get accustomed to driving on the wrong side of the road, AND with a stick shift. I've always been fine with a manual shift...even prefer it....but it's still odd to be shifting with my left hand. And then.....the traffic circles (roundabouts). Always had to take care to keep my wits about me.
When in Florida, it is the land of the perpetual u-turn. You will find it necessary to almost always need to do u-turns due to so many islands in the median.
I remember when we starting making right turn on red it was initiated to save fuel ,instead of waiting for the lift change you could turn on red when it was safe to do so
Oddly enough, all the countries that drive on the left (about 10-15% of them) are islands: Britain, Japan, Australia, Bermuda, the Bahamas, New Zealand, and so on.
Roundabouts are rare unless you come to the New England area Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, etc. Except in New England we call them rotarys while the rest of the U.S. calls them Roundabouts or traffic circles
In general, a lot of the countries that border the Indian Ocean, drive on the left side of the road. Americans call roundabouts "traffic circles", and if you want to see a lot of them, you want to go to the northeast (New England, upstate New York, etc.); or there are a handful of really prominent nasty multi-lane high-traffic high-stress ones in DC, which is particularly terrible since that city gets so many tourists, most of whom have never seen a traffic circle before and have *no* idea how to navigate one. Traffic circle proponents claim that they're efficient, but eh, the really efficient option is the cloverleaf interchange, like you get when two interstate highways cross. A traffic circle has most of the disadvantages of a cloverleaf (including, taking up a lot of space; the main disadvantage it doesn't have, is requiring a bridge, which admittedly can be a big deal in some cases, as bridges are expensive) plus some added disadvantages of its own (notably, confusing the everliving daylights out of people whose sense of direction is only so-so), with only a fraction of the efficiency improvement and none of the other advantages.
In rural north California rotaries are making a big comeback replacing traffic light controlled highway intersections. Quite useful given low amounts of secondary road traffic limit our local definition of a traffic jam to vehicles actuallly smashed together at the old style intersections and/or the emergency vehicles and med-evac helicopters blocking traffic.
The stop and permitted right on red is not a forced turn law because it means turn when it is safe in your judgement. When the intersection is generally not safe to make right on red because of the volume of traffic there will be a sign that says "NO Right on Red" . Florida has a lot of lanes to. If you decide to drive in Florida be especially careful, the drivers can be very aggressive ... and their are a lot of people who don't know where they are, tourists, foreigners, people with very expensive, very powerful cars. So Florida is the one place in the USA that I often don't feel safe on the super highways
I guess we need big cars (and, consequently, big roads) because we spend a lot of time in our cars ... I'm in Texas, and we spend A LOT of time driving. I can think of one 'round-about' in my area ... it's in a German heritage town called 'New Braunfels' ... that's the only one I know of, and I don't care much for it.
I grew up and lived a long time in a major city, Philadelphia, but it has never had six lanes of traffic. Not even close. First time I encountered that many lanes to drive in I was dumb struck. A bit intimidating, to say the least. We still don’t have that many lanes, thank God. We need larger cars, our distances are longer to drive. Trains don’t go everywhere and it’s more costly to take the train. If gas prices are low, it gives everyone the opportunity to drive and go see things and take a vacation. When gas prices are high it hurts the little guy from having some opportunities in life.
Be careful in California for the intersection cameras! Make a complete stop behind the line on red and don’t think about running the red light. You will get a very expensive surprise in the mail with a nice picture of your self behind the wheel!
I used to travel in the West for my job and I ran into a few smaller roundabouts here and there; and let me tell you, I found them confusing, especially going straight..
I was raised in ohio.. Pretty basic roads here.. 2 lanes unless your on a 3 or 4 lane highway... Ive also lived in Bullhead City, Az. Our main road there was highway 95.. A 4 lane highway... Driving through Las Angeles, California is a total nightmare.. 5 or 6 lanes of dead stopped traffic... and potholes..
Three fourths of the world drive on the correct, right side of the road.... It is the British that are driving on the incorrect, wrong side of the road in Europe...
Unfortunately, some of the things you describe varies from state to state. Most of the time assume that you can go right on red or make a u-turn unless it is designated otherwise, but not every state has the same rules. I wouldn't worry about it too much though. It's probably similar there, but slower traffic on the right, pass on the left(left/right there) on the highways. Roundabouts/rotaries are vary by state as well. Some have many, while others have almost none 🤷♂
U-turns in the US normally are not allowed if the intersection is really narrow or like just the road is too narrow. For example, sometimes with only one lane going in each direction. I wonder if narrow roads in England might also be a reason they are less common. Turning right on red is always lawful, unless there's a no right turn sign. It's usually only a no turn sign when it's inherently dangerous, maybe near school, or some traffic flow reason. But the rule is always "you have to stop first. Then IF SAFE, you can turn on right." So basically, you can do it when there's no pedestrians crossing. Washington DC has roundabouts. I know Long Beach CA has a decent size roundabout. But They are no common. You just need to know where they are. I've heard roundabouts are better for keeping traffic moving. but i have watched whole shows about why roundabouts are not as common in the US. I don't remember why but it's probably some arcane design philosophy or something. I don't have issues with them cause i lived in two cities that actually have roundabouts in major intersections so it's not a big deal.
Right on red should be, "stop at red, yield to left traffic, turn right". I see too many that don't yield at all.
An if you’re in a car, and one of the ubiquitous SUVs are on your left, they will inch up so that you cannot see around them and cannot turn. I hate those SUVs. They’re everywhere.
Yup
Oh, and to be fair, since driving laws are created in each state or territory, there are places in the us where you Can Not turn right on red (Just learned that recently) … but yeah, what you said covers it. Think of it as a stop sign. Can you turn right after stopping at a stop sign? Also, if you come upon a stop light that is out and or not working, treat it like a stop sign in all directions. Only proceed when safe, and it’s your turn.
Many don't come to a complete stop, either. Then some won't take a right on red, despite it being safe to do so, because they desire to be a Richard Cranium.
Yep. Right on red after stop. You don’t have the right-away.
If you don't turn right on red where it's permitted (most places), you aren't breaking the law but you probably are making any drivers behind you angry and they will probably honk at you.
I grew up in Washington DC which was designed by a Frenchman so there are large "roundabouts" (aka "traffic circles") all over and whole neighborhoods are named after the central roundabout: Thomas Circle, Dupont Circle and so on. The city was laid out on a grid with numbered street in one direction and lettered streets crossing them at 90 degrees, but then there are the avenues with state names crossing diagonally through the grid and the roundabout/circles usually are where an avenue will cross diagonally through an intersection of a numbered and lettered street so you have 6 entrances/exits to/from the circle.
I came here to say that.
DuPont Circle scares the hell out of me. 😂😂😂
@@victoriazwick1082 I've had some good times on DuPont Circle...although they didn't have anything to do with driving. ;)
Those are called rotaries in the New England states.
The best explanation that I've read. Thank you.
It has been confirmed by many British people who have come to America that driving in the United States is so much easier and better than driving in the uk. They also like our vehicles better because they are larger and you feel more safe in them. 😊
Can't argue with Milly there😂. Other drivers are crazy
My dad said, " i am not worried about you. It's the other people..."
@@SGlitz Amen to that
Oh my God, I hate roundabout.
"Hey, kids Big Ben, Parliament."
Lol. Great movie, National Lampoons European Vacation
"It's amazing, I CANNOT get left...." 😁
You can always turn right on red in America unless it specifically says not to. Also, here by me in Houston, there are many stop lights where you can turn left on a blinking yellow. Of course you always have to make sure nothing is coming.
What the hell is a truning?,
It is turning,
And yes on some cases we can make a right hand turn on red at a intersection.
Roundabouts are becoming more common, but I wish they wouldn't build the damned things. I hate them.
I'm with Millie. People are very impatient and careless. Lots of times, irrational as well.
I have found Americans safer drivers than they are in India and Pakistan... A whole lot safer...
I'm sure you have done this, but maybe show us some of Jersey on driving and stores.
Many cities have started using roundabouts more like speed bumps, to force traffic to slow down, rather as a more efficient intersection. What Americans like about a normal intersection is that most traffic lights are timed so that when traffic is light, you can drive all the way down the street with green lights. If you have roundabouts, then you're screwed regardless.
In New Jersey, we have "roundabouts", however we call them "circles" Though they are starting to be replaced with controlled intersections or overpasses are created.
I have been in New Jersey many times and roundabouts make me nervous because of the two lanes going around them and the incoming and outgoing traffic😊
I’m in Virginia and we’re seeing more and more of them. I hate them.
Wisconsin here and I hate the roundabouts. Everybody seems confused how to get on and off
We've been adding a ton of roundabouts in Michigan for some reason.
We also got “jug handles“ in NJ since most of the time we turn right to make a left.
In the late 80s I drove a manual Rover in Scotland. There were 3 of us on the trip, but one refused to drive and the other couldn't shift (manual). So most of the driving was done by me. I did clip a couple of curbs due to being on the right side of the car, but that was all. When my other friend who would drive but not shift, I shifted for him. He'd just call out 'shift' when he hit the clutch and I'd put it in the gear I knew he wanted. We went to a petrol station only once (Scotland and we only were going to golf courses so didn't use a lot) and it said it was self service, but the gal in the booth noticed it was a rental and insisted on doing the fill up. The biggest issue I had (which didn't affect me since I'd read up on driving in the UK) was the rental company just gave us the keys and told us the license plate of our car. No booklet of how to drive there or anything. There should be something! I didn't know what the speed limit signs meant since half of the UK seemed to be on metric and half on imperial units. There would be 3 numbers on the signs. Just numbers, not MPH or KPH or anything or any clue what the 3 numbers meant. So we just stayed in the outside lane and stuck to the speed of traffic there. We did notice people going at extreme speeds on the inside lane.
I just watched your driving in the U.S. video. I have a feeling if you were pulled over for making a right on red when you weren't supposed to, the cop would let you off with a warning. It's not illegal NOT to make a right on red but you will be honked at.
I have been able to visit the UK twice in my life. I was afraid to even try to drive either time. You have my great respect for having the courage to drive here.
We can turn left on red too in some states if you're turning left onto a one-way street. If you want to see big roundabouts, try New England (where they call them rotaries) especially Massachusetts.
Are they not the most adorable people? Luv them.
In some states, it's still illegal to turn right on red. Alternatively, in some states you can turn left after you stop at a red light, if you are in the left lane and are turning left from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
Right turn on red, after stop, is legal in all 50 states. The only place in the United States where right on red is illegal by default is in New York City.
@@caphwys Atlanta and Washington DC are going to ban rights on red (without a sign permitting them) in 2025. But for now, you're correct.
The turning on red is a state-specific law. Some states allow for left turn on red from a one way street onto a one way street.
Except most drivers have no idea where left turns on red to/from one-way streets are allowed so they either do it just about all the time and wherever they are or they never do it. I suspect you are very unlikely to get a ticket for that regardless of the law. If a cop having a bad day sees you, they might give you a "warning". Then you'll know whether it's legal or not.
And you can even turn left on red from a two-way to a one-way street (or freeway entrance ramp) in some states such as Michigan.
You know there’s a Millie in the crazy driver’s family or friends that say it isn’t your driving that worries me.
Can be a municipality-specific law, too.
In the Caymon Islands they drive on the left, but because of its close proximity to North America many of the cars had left hand drive. It took a bit to adjust.
Before I retired I lived in Lincoln, NE and in the last couple of decades they’ve gone for roundabouts in a big way. Makes driving there so much easier. I wish they were used much more in the US.
Norfolk, NE keeps adding them. I keep hoping for more! After driving in the UK in the late 80’s I have looked forward to each one. They are safer and quicker than 4 way stops which my parents and grandparents seemed to like.
@@ideasmatter4737 My hometown, Blair, NE, got he first state-highway "major" roundabout in the state. I don't live there anymore so I'm not sure how well it works, but ...
Hate round abouts. Cars coming in and cars trying to turn out to roads with everyone trying to cross over someone else all while trying to read signs to know which turnoff you need. Meanwhile other cars are moving in or out looking for their turn offs.
Single-lane roundabouts are great, in low to medium-volume traffic areas. Multi-lane roundabouts are stupid and evil, and the number of conflict points and stupid drivers do not mix well.
On the East Coast (New England area), they do have the roundabouts that are huge and have traffic lights. They call them “Rotaries” or “Traffic Circles” if they have stop lights and such and are connecting bigger roads or highways. If you say roundabout in the US, like you said, people will usually think it’s a little one, with a lane or two that goes around in a smaller intersection.
Right on red, legal unless otherwise marked.
For a basic intersection without a traffic light, I think a roundabout is a better option than a 4 way stop.
Most Commonwealth countries drive on the left. Canada is one of the exceptions . Plus Japan drives on the left. The US Virgin Islands also drive on the left the only place in the US does
Hi Millie and James (Archie too!😊) hope y'all are well ❤
Drove in Ireland (left side) and your list was right on. Their lanes were tiny and a lot of roundabouts. Drove on the motorway and surprised it was only two lanes per side.
Wait until they discover that there are ‘diamond interchanges’ in Texas 💁🏻♂️
There are some in Colorado now too.
Missouri has them too.
there are more right side driving countries than left side..with the 'right on red' comes in, you are only given that right if you are the first in line. if you find yourself in that lane but plan on driving straight ahead, the car behind you cant hurry you up or force you to go right because tthey want to because they arent the ones up front. you are made to stop, and if you fee safe you can go right on red (as long as there isnt a sign saying no. with our roundabouts (rotarys, traffic circles) we have lots of bigs one, but the right of way is given to the cars entering the circle and i believe in the uk, the right away is given to the cars within the circle. in my town in massachusetts (i live in massachusetts and florida) we have a new roundabout that is actually built like a peanut shell because there are eight turnoffs.
I would be terrified to try and drive on the left side of the road. I would be afraid of forgetting and making a horrible mistake.
I lived in New Zealand for 3 months. It feels more natural than you think if you have a British car with the driver seat on the right.
Matthew Broderick killed someone that way.
That's not really an issue if there's a lot of traffic.
'Turn on red' is the same as if you have to yeild to cross traffic when you're turning, at an intersection where there isn't a light.
I think a lot of people over think it.
Yes to a part 2
You are still supposed to come to a stop first.
@@gawainethefirst
Of course. I should have mentioned that.
Also, a tip on the multilane highways, where you may have four or more lanes you can travel in. Pay attention to the road signs. The sign for your exit or highway number will be above the lane that will take you there, and they usually give you a two-mile heads up. So, when you start to approach your exit, look for the signs for it and position yourself in the lanes beneath it.
I visited the UK a few years ago, and driving there was definitely an adventure! I totally agree about estimating where the other side of the car is. My first day driving in the UK I sideswiped the curb several times. Generally I think it's easier to drive in the US due to the wider roads; however, I thought British drivers were more polite.
Here in New England, they built giant roundabouts/traffic circles with traffic lights (called "rotaries") in the mid-1900s. All or nearly all have been replaced because they tended to make traffic jams worse, cause more accidents (I think), and make navigating more confusing for tourists. My town does have a few small roundabouts that do not need traffic lights, and I wish there were more.
😅 Yeah, you can get stuck going around and around and not being able to get over to the turn you want to take!
There are lots of round abouts in Georgia and Florida. Some are quite large.
I absolutely hate roundabouts, ugh.
Hi guys! I'm enjoying hearing about your adventures and education in and of America.
In New Jersey the north south road is called The New Jersey Turnpike, and most of it is 6 lanes each way, 3 lanes for cars only and 3 lanes for trucks and buses that cars can also use. After you pass a certain exit, i think it's exit 5 (it's been a while since i lived up there) it narrows down to 3 lanes again.
Roundabouts or what we here just call circles are being slowly phased out because of the accidents that happen getting into or out of them.
Looking forward to your next video, i'm sure you have hours more video to sort through.
Two thoughts: Go to Washington, D.C., and you'll find many major intersection roundabouts. Also, regarding right-on-red, it's always optional; you're never required to, although you may find someone behind you honking at you if you don't go. Unfortunately, many Americans forget that it's right on red AFTER stop.
A lot of former British colonies drive on the left. One example, I lived on the island of Antigua for a couple years when my dad, who was in the US Air Force at the time, was stationed there. The island use to be British before gaining their independence in the 1960s. They drive on the left. I was a child when we were there, so I never drove, but my parents adapted to driving on the left pretty quickly.
Your phone GPS gets its maps via the cell network, and if you're roaming, your latency(time delay) will be greater. Also, every former British colony drives upon the left side of the road except the United States, and Canada.
In USA you never are required to turn right on red. Some impatient drivers behind you may honk their horns if they feel it is safe for you to turn right on red. But it is optional.
Was in Scotland for a time and learned to drive on the left. Loved it! It took me three days to get comfortable. After that it was pretty easy.
Japan and Australia come to mind as countries that drive on the left, but there's actually more than you'd think!
And India!
Pretty comprehensive list of countries and territories that drive on the left:
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bhutan
Botswana
Brunei
Cyprus
Dominica
East Timor
Eswatini
Fiji
Grenada
Guyana
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Macau
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Zealand
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Tanzania
Thailand
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Kingdom and its territories
United States Virgin Islands
I love roundabout and wish we had more here in the U.S. The first time I drove through one I was confused but it's easy to get the hang of it, the make traffic flow easier and quicker because you're not waiting at red lights all the time or coming to a full stop at stop signs, and they save local governments lots of money since they don't have to pay for the upkeep of traffic lights or use any electricity to run them. People here just have to get used to them and be more aware of yielding.
When only your lane can enter the intersection, there's no danger in making a U-Turn from the left lane, as long as your car can actually make the turn without having to stop and back up. The width of the road is probably the issue in the UK.
One of the reasons you don't typically see larger roundabouts here is because our engineers have found that, with our traffic counts and rates, they really only work well up to about a moderate-traffic intersection. We classify non-freeway streets in three categories: locals for the majority of streets (i.e. where people live), collectors for a bit more traffic (they generally take you from your street to an arterial), and arterials for the heaviest traffic (usually for longer-distance travel within the local area). Roundabouts are great for local-to-local, local-to-collector, and even collector-to-collector intersections, but they're not very effective for arterial traffic. You'll also encounter double roundabouts or dogbones at some freeway interchanges -- our department of transportation here in Michigan is obsessed with those. I have yet to see the massive single-roundabout freeway interchanges that you have over there, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone builds one here eventually.
Roundabout don’t have stoplights. You’re thinking a traffic circle which is different.
James, you did great driving in the US from what I saw. Way to go! Yes, we love these videos so whatever else you've got, bring it! You should check out the New Zealand family videos. They just got back from a second US tour, part of which they did in an RV. They are also used to driving on the left side in NZ, so you know it was a challenge in a huge RV. Anyway, great video, y'all.
I felt some anxiety about driving in Great Britain in those massive round abouts.. Similar to what you two felt in our multi lane roads here.. Good on you guys for being brave enough to drive in LA..❤😁
In the north east, a number of intersections have been changed to traffic circles. That tend is spreading here.
FYI, right turn on red is not allowed in New York City, Washington DC, and Atlanta Georgia.
You probably won't read this but the real trick to being safe is not merely knowing the law knowing your options as a driver, and knowing your route in the practical application to the physical roads, but also you have to try hard and pay attention to the other vehicles. That is not only seeing where they are physically but also watching each one regularly to build a profile of their mannerisms and tendencies so that whenever something problematic occurs you may better anticipate their reaction so you can avoid them when you select the move you are going to make. Most people don't give it the focus it should have and will instead just drive slowly which is not often the best thing to do and can in fact cause problems when better options would have been safer.
I drove all of Southern California for many years in a professional capacity as well as a resident. Sitting in the driver's seat is the same as the Captain's chair in a plane when it comes to the seriousness and focus that should be given to driving in California or any larger cities.
Just a note James, U turns are where cops will be under the overpass slowing the traffic checking for no seatbelts, the windshield registration stickers. These 2 items get them started to run the driver for insurance, warrants, anything they can make revenue from.
what? that is a checkpoint, not a u turn.
I grew up in the 1960s in NYC. A couple of times a year we would drive up to a nearby suburb to visit my mother's aunt and her partner, going up the Saw Mill River Parkway. We hit what we called a "traffic circle" where we had to make a critical turn to get to my great aunt's house. Starting in around 1966 the traffic circle began to be replaced by an interchange, with on-ramps, off-ramps, bridges, etc. It was chaos while it was being built, but everything seemed to go much more smoothly when it was finally finished. Now, 60 years later, the whole thing is falling apart, and everything needs to be reconstructed again. I don't know the details, but I hear people are suggesting going back to the old traffic circle arrangement.
Here in Philadelphia we have a big circle (roundabout) in front of the art museum, the steps Rocky ran up if you've seen the movie. I hate driving on it.
Right on red became popular to save on gas. (better than sitting and idling away fuel). I guess you could say good for the environment!
The "Turn right on Red "thing? It really was pretty much started back in the 70's. It started as a way to save gas rather than keeping the car running. With gas prices soaring, this was one of the idea's. Took some getting used to, but in the 70's 80's it was a sore subject.
I felt much the same way driving in Ireland and Scotland. First off, I had to get accustomed to driving on the wrong side of the road, AND with a stick shift. I've always been fine with a manual shift...even prefer it....but it's still odd to be shifting with my left hand. And then.....the traffic circles (roundabouts). Always had to take care to keep my wits about me.
I love you guys! Love your reaction videos!!
It was enjoyable to hear the differences. Thanks for sharing.
When in Florida, it is the land of the perpetual u-turn. You will find it necessary to almost always need to do u-turns due to so many islands in the median.
I remember when we starting making right turn on red it was initiated to save fuel ,instead of waiting for the lift change you could turn on red when it was safe to do so
Oddly enough, all the countries that drive on the left (about 10-15% of them) are islands: Britain, Japan, Australia, Bermuda, the Bahamas, New Zealand, and so on.
Roundabouts are rare unless you come to the New England area Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, etc. Except in New England we call them rotarys while the rest of the U.S. calls them Roundabouts or traffic circles
In general, a lot of the countries that border the Indian Ocean, drive on the left side of the road.
Americans call roundabouts "traffic circles", and if you want to see a lot of them, you want to go to the northeast (New England, upstate New York, etc.); or there are a handful of really prominent nasty multi-lane high-traffic high-stress ones in DC, which is particularly terrible since that city gets so many tourists, most of whom have never seen a traffic circle before and have *no* idea how to navigate one.
Traffic circle proponents claim that they're efficient, but eh, the really efficient option is the cloverleaf interchange, like you get when two interstate highways cross. A traffic circle has most of the disadvantages of a cloverleaf (including, taking up a lot of space; the main disadvantage it doesn't have, is requiring a bridge, which admittedly can be a big deal in some cases, as bridges are expensive) plus some added disadvantages of its own (notably, confusing the everliving daylights out of people whose sense of direction is only so-so), with only a fraction of the efficiency improvement and none of the other advantages.
In rural north California rotaries are making a big comeback replacing traffic light controlled highway intersections. Quite useful given low amounts of secondary road traffic limit our local definition of a traffic jam to vehicles actuallly smashed together at the old style intersections and/or the emergency vehicles and med-evac helicopters blocking traffic.
The stop and permitted right on red is not a forced turn law because it means turn when it is safe in your judgement.
When the intersection is generally not safe to make right on red because of the volume of traffic there will be a sign that says
"NO Right on Red" . Florida has a lot of lanes to. If you decide to drive in Florida be especially careful, the drivers can be very aggressive ... and their are a lot of people who don't know where they are, tourists, foreigners, people with very expensive, very powerful cars. So Florida is the one place in the USA that I often don't feel safe on the super highways
“Five Ways” ….. stepping on Josh Prey’s Gimmick 😜
I think Australia, New Zealand and Bermuda drive on the left side.
Roundabouts are more efficient at moving traffic than a four-way stop. Mythbusters did an episode on it.
Islands, and some ex-british colonies use left side drive roads
There are several countries drive on the left side of the road;
Australia
New Zealand
Japan
Singapore
Hong Kong
India 🇮🇳
A couple in South America.
Millie that thought on other drivers gets worse when you're a mom. ❤
You were so close to where I live! Texas is our nextdoor neighbor. We often have UFOs appearing in South East, New Mexico 🛸💕
The biggest roundabout that I encountered in the US is Columbus Circle in NYC.
The town I live in seems to love roundabouts. They keep building then at every intersection.
Carmel, IN?
lol, no Conway, Arkansas
I guess we need big cars (and, consequently, big roads) because we spend a lot of time in our cars ... I'm in Texas, and we spend A LOT of time driving. I can think of one 'round-about' in my area ... it's in a German heritage town called 'New Braunfels' ... that's the only one I know of, and I don't care much for it.
As a native Texan, our citizens drive on our roads like it's Nascar.
I grew up and lived a long time in a major city, Philadelphia, but it has never had six lanes of traffic. Not even close. First time I encountered that many lanes to drive in I was dumb struck. A bit intimidating, to say the least. We still don’t have that many lanes, thank God. We need larger cars, our distances are longer to drive. Trains don’t go everywhere and it’s more costly to take the train. If gas prices are low, it gives everyone the opportunity to drive and go see things and take a vacation. When gas prices are high it hurts the little guy from having some opportunities in life.
Most cities in the US do not allow U turns. We do have right on red in many places.
Be careful in California for the intersection cameras! Make a complete stop behind the line on red and don’t think about running the red light. You will get a very expensive surprise in the mail with a nice picture of your self behind the wheel!
Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the UK are the only countries that I know of with people driving on the opposite side.
I used to travel in the West for my job and I ran into a few smaller roundabouts here and there; and let me tell you, I found them confusing, especially going straight..
178 countries drive on the right. 76 on the left.
welcome to driving on the correct side of the road!
U turns at traffic lights are determined state by state.
Driving on the left side of the road is definitely the wrong side of the road😂😂😂
I was raised in ohio.. Pretty basic roads here.. 2 lanes unless your on a 3 or 4 lane highway... Ive also lived in Bullhead City, Az. Our main road there was highway 95.. A 4 lane highway... Driving through Las Angeles, California is a total nightmare.. 5 or 6 lanes of dead stopped traffic... and potholes..
UK, Australia, Japan, and India drive on the left, a lot of former British colonies or territories have also kept to the British style of driving.
Three fourths of the world drive on the correct, right side of the road.... It is the British that are driving on the incorrect, wrong side of the road in Europe...
You're alive and well, that's all that counts.
Think about it. A roundabout is a U-Turn.
I love round abouts. I wish we had more.
2:28 - Only the UK and former subjects of the British Empire (except Canada) drive on the left.
Unfortunately, some of the things you describe varies from state to state. Most of the time assume that you can go right on red or make a u-turn unless it is designated otherwise, but not every state has the same rules. I wouldn't worry about it too much though. It's probably similar there, but slower traffic on the right, pass on the left(left/right there) on the highways. Roundabouts/rotaries are vary by state as well. Some have many, while others have almost none 🤷♂
Right on red is to save gas the rule is right on red after stop and you are responsible to be clear of traffic
U-turns in the US normally are not allowed if the intersection is really narrow or like just the road is too narrow. For example, sometimes with only one lane going in each direction. I wonder if narrow roads in England might also be a reason they are less common.
Turning right on red is always lawful, unless there's a no right turn sign. It's usually only a no turn sign when it's inherently dangerous, maybe near school, or some traffic flow reason. But the rule is always "you have to stop first. Then IF SAFE, you can turn on right." So basically, you can do it when there's no pedestrians crossing.
Washington DC has roundabouts. I know Long Beach CA has a decent size roundabout. But They are no common. You just need to know where they are. I've heard roundabouts are better for keeping traffic moving. but i have watched whole shows about why roundabouts are not as common in the US. I don't remember why but it's probably some arcane design philosophy or something. I don't have issues with them cause i lived in two cities that actually have roundabouts in major intersections so it's not a big deal.
Driving in the suburbs or the countryside is much easier and less scary than driving in massive cities like Los Angeles or Dallas or Houston. 😊
Japanese drive on the left side as well. It took me time as an American to get used to driving that way.
Most Americans make U Turns even when it it says no U-turns.
Next time you visit here in the US you should make a magnet that says "British driver please be patient."
We have lots of roundabouts popping up in this region, too many, and in stupid areas.