Wrong Side Of The Road!!

[simplygod]

Have never driven in France before, does anyone have any tips that will help? Or shall I just go with a post-it note on the dashboard saying KEEP RIGHT?

I am sharing the driving in my mates car so would like not to crash!!

[lazyitus]

Don't worry, after 10 minutes it becomes natural.

Just look out for roundabouts, they screw your head up. Look left, right, left and right again. Then do it again.

First thing in the morning can be a bad time as you tend to revert to home driving style straight away.

[simplygod]

Thats my fear, bit of a groggy head and I'll be tanning it down the wrong lane head first into some frech mans 2CV!!

[Alex@POD]

Be very wary of pulling out of petrol stations etc...
I have been driving in france for 3 years, then been living in britain for 5 years, but when I go home, I can be on the wrong side if I do a Uturn or such... Till the car coming towards me on my lane doesn't wanna move and I realise why!

[skid solo]

Pulling out of garage forecourts, carparks etc are always an adventure. It helps when there are other cars about, when there aren't any then it is all too easy to pull out onto the wrong lane!

[lazyitus]

simplygod said:

Thats my fear, bit of a groggy head and I'll be tanning it down the wrong lane head first into some frech mans 2CV!!

Did it in France a couple of years ago - Pulled out of the hotel and set off on the wrong side. Luckily, the missus reaslised. This was after driving on the correct side for 2 days!

[L100NYY]

lazyitus said:

simplygod said: Thats my fear, bit of a groggy head and I'll be tanning it down the wrong lane head first into some frech mans 2CV!! Did it in France a couple of years ago - Pulled out of the hotel and set off on the wrong side. Luckily, the missus reaslised. This was after driving on the correct side for 2 days!

Don't worry Jon you're not alone in doing that!

[vetteheadracer]

Only ever driven on the wrong side in France once.....car coming other way flashing lights furiously made me think I might be on the wrong side

It's usually easy for me as I spend 51 weeks a year driving on the "wrong" side in the UK given the car is LHD

[billy no brakes]

yep roundabouts and turning left into a another road gets you too but double check by looknig both ways it does come after abit. but then when you get home remmeber to drive on the right side of the road or is it the left confussed already and I,am not
there yet.

[xjsjohn]

12 months driving a right hooker in Germany and i would still get it wrong from time to time ... especially on empty roads with no cars parled about or anything to suggest that something was amiss!!!

[Touching Cloth]

Yep, agree with watching out when you get home. That's always the worst bit for me, in France I usually find I am constantly aware of being on the right side.... er correct side. But once off the boat back here, it is back to zombie mode and can easily catch you out

[Bob the Planner]

Roundabouts as you come off the ferry are usually the ones that catch me out (2 years now). Once in France, I have not had the problem - just sort of follow the road signs.

The other thing that catches me is the French traffic lights. I never have got the hang of the flashing yellow.

It is also a good idea to have someone who is willing to "spot" overtakes for you. Pull out part way, get the spotter to see if its clear enough for you to pull out and then determine yourself if the overtake is possible.

OH and remember that the French speed limits change if it is foggy or wet.

Once on the open road you will be fine.

[welshnobby]

Bob the Planner said:

Roundabouts as you come off the ferry are usually the ones that catch me out (2 years now). Once in France, I have not had the problem - just sort of follow the road signs. The other thing that catches me is the French traffic lights. I never have got the hang of the flashing yellow. It is also a good idea to have someone who is willing to "spot" overtakes for you. Pull out part way, get the spotter to see if its clear enough for you to pull out and then determine yourself if the overtake is possible. OH and remember that the French speed limits change if it is foggy or wet. Once on the open road you will be fine.

....what does the flashing amber mean?

[Truckosaurus]

welshnobby said:

....what does the flashing amber mean?

'Give Way'. In quiet areas they lights all switch to 'flashing amber' outside of peak hours. Just slow down and make sure nothing else is coming.

My own question - Does the "Priorite a droite" still hold anywhere?

[speed8]

At work I drive on the right, at home I drive on the left. Six months each per year for about five years now.
I still get caught out from time to time, mainly early morning or late night when the roads are quiet and usually in the UK rather than at work.

[billy no brakes]

Just love the french traffic lights. All you early cerbera drivers with the thick roll bar across the windscreen will know what I mean

[Alex@POD]

Truckosaurus said:

welshnobby said: ....what does the flashing amber mean? 'Give Way'. In quiet areas they lights all switch to 'flashing amber' outside of peak hours. Just slow down and make sure nothing else is coming. My own question - Does the "Priorite a droite" still hold anywhere?

The flashing amber light means "there is no need for a traffic light at this time, please refer to the sign attached to it". That can be either give way, priority to the right, or you have priority, depends on the sign.

And yes priorité a droite applies everywhere there is no sign or road markings to say otherwise, and of course when it it signposted... See www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=272862&f=25&h=0&p=2 , about half way down.

[Polarbert]

billy no brakes said:

Just love the french traffic lights. All you early cerbera drivers with the thick roll bar across the windscreen will know what I mean

Can't you see them or something?