Driving Tips

[Susan Veness]

I know this has probably been discussed before, but we had a serious reminder yesterday about the importance of keeping your wits about you when driving, and how vital it is as tourists (especially tourists driving on the 'wrong' side of the road!) not to leave your common sense back in your hotel room when you venture out.

In no more than 30 seconds we were almost side-swiped by a tourist who forgot she wasn't the only person on the road when she went to make a lane change, and only seconds later we watched in horror as a man pulled out of Port Orleans into the FAR LANE, right in front of an oncoming car.

We live just behind Disney property and see the most astonishing near-misses every day, when we travel around town. Maybe we could start a thread with some gentle tips about the hazzards you have encountered, or things that took you by surprise when driving in the US (and the Orlando area specifically). It could be helpful to first-timers to know ahead of time about some of the driving quirks that might catch them up, as well as being a good reminder to all of us when the excitement of the trip overshadows the brain-power needed to drive safely. ;)

[dmrevis]

Good idea. I've never driven in the US yet but think about it every time i go out. If you are "with it" enough i guess it wont be too hard. But things like overtaking in any lane, right turns on most red lights etc confuse the Brits.

[Simon Veness]

There are lots of things which make driving over here easier (all hire cars being automatics, wider roads, lower speeds, etc), but it really is a case of keeping your wits about you. The most common thing is just forgetting where you are and not thinking about the basics (mirror, signal, maneouver!!), and not panicking if you miss a turn. It's always easy to retrace your steps, but we see plenty of cars trying to do something odd (like U-turns and backing up on the highway!). Just take it slow and easy and you should be fine (but study the roads and little oddities of driving in the US in advance!).

[karrie]

the stranges thing that we found was being able to turn right at the red lights, that took some getting used to! other than that hubby loved to drive and i will certainly give it a bash next time we go :D

[Tiggers Friend]

I've always found driving in the US to be easier than the UK (once you get used to the car and driving on the right).

Remember that the road signs above junctions are the name of the road you are crossing.
Take care when turning left at a junction, you need to go right across and not into the oncoming traffic.
Wait for the filter arrow (if there is one) at left turns across carriageways.
As Simon says if you miss the turn don't panic, carry on and find a safe place to turn (try turning right onto a quiet road or forecourt, turn a round a retrace your steps).
Also if you are in the right hand lane of a multilane highway and you need to turn left remember that cars/lorries may be passing on you left so check and recheck before moving.

BTW the Hess Gas Stations and Race Trac tend to be cheaper for fuel.

Hope this helps.

[dmrevis]

i think the most important thing is basic stuff. Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre!

[Simon Veness]

Those are great tips, TF. And, as dmrevis, points out, just don't forget the basics (as many seem to do on holiday).

Those are particuraly good tips on petrol prices - Hess and Racetrac are typically the cheapest in Florida. Even the Hess stations inside WDW will NOT rip you off - unlike the pertol stations outside Disney in Lake Buena Vista, which are easily the most EXPENSIVE in Florida. Another one to look for is down on the SR535 (Vineland Rd) going from Disney towards the 192 and Kissimmee; on the right hand side, after a Hess petrol station, you will see a Wal-Mart station with a big neon sign displaying their prices. This tends to be a cent or two cheaper than Hess and worth keeping an eye out for :)

[spencem]

Watch out for speed limit changes, many of which appear to drop suddenly for no reason. The worst I have come across is on the slip road into Disney from Exit 62 of the I4, on a 3 or 4 lane highway the speed limit drops to a ridiculous 35mph for a few hundred yards before going back to 50. To make it worse the police have a nice wide shoulder and meridian to sit on ready to earn some cash. :mad:

You have two bad options, slow down and risk being rear ended, or stay at a sensible speed and risk a ticket. I go with the first option as a traffic offence can cause hassle at immigration on your next visit, depending on what the officer decides to do you for.

[Susan Veness]

That's an excellent point, spencem! Two things to watch out for, (although they are difficult for our overseas cousins to identify) are schools and hospitals. The speed limit will drop drastically within a certain distance of any school or hospital.

The situation spencem mentions is (sadly) not that unsual. Speed traps can really take you buy surprise (they're meant to, right?) and they're grossly unfair to drivers.