Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

Hi all,

It doesn't bother me unduly, but for those of us who drive on the lefthand side of the road, would owning a LHD car be a "no no"?

RJ
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[peter scott]

It never bothered me with my very first car but in general, driving cars with the wheel on the wrong side it's best to park them facing the correct way around or your mind might not jump into the correct mode when you return to drive away.

Driving with the wheel on the wrong side is inconvenient at toll booths and the like. As to overtaking other vehicles it can give advantages on certain twisty roads so not all bad.

Peter


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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Keith D]

I have driven my son's Chevy Corvette Stingray which is LHD and experienced no problems. Extra care before overtaking was my only concern before getting behind the wheel, but in practice I did not have any problems.
Peter's comments regarding toll booths is very valid, but I did not approach any during my time with the car.

Keith

[norustplease]

No particular issues when driving the Volvo, but I do occasionally find myself drifting towards the middle of the road. Generally though, not a problem.
The Asda petrol station is a problem, however, and I have to walk to the drive through kiosk to pay.
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1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV

[Ray White]

I have never felt comfortable behind the wheel of a left hooker. I tend to over compensate and suffer a kind of anxiety which probably says more about the driver than anything about the car.

[Rusty]

Well I hate it !
I drive a lot of country roads and sitting behind a truck and wanting to pass, putting your nose well out to see down the side of the truck to find a semi trailer you couldn't see bearing down on you is not only unpleasant its down right dangerous !
I didn't do it a lot because the mate who owned the car didn't like it either so got rid of it and bought one with the steering wheel on the right side. Wasn't so bad if you had a passenger but on your own it wasn't fun at all.

[Rick]

[mikeC]

[Ray White]

[Penman]

Hi
If you are driving LHD here get one of these for your passenger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQhlWFTuvVs
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[Dipster]

[JohnDale]

How about the other way round? I have driven a lot on what we used to call 'the continent ' with left & right hookers. RH drive was never a problem with slip roads joining the main road even easier as the joining traffic comes up along side the driving side & you can see exactly what is happening. It's roundabouts that get the old brain box working! I did once turn round in a pub car park & rejoined the road to drive on the left - old habits die hard,cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.

[ukdave2002]

[goneps]

This matter is a serious bone of contention in New Zealand at present. During the past year or so there have been numerous serious crashes involving foreign tourists driving on the wrong side of the road. A large proportion have been fatal, and there have been high-profile dangerous driving prosecutions as a result, though the punishments are pathetic—usually amounting to the payment of very modest reparation that bears no relation to the physical and emotional damage done, before being kicked out of the country.

The worst (or at least most numerous) offenders are Chinese, though at least one German has killed locals in this way. Chinese are inept drivers at the best of times (this is a statement of fact, not an insult or racism—I have a good number of Chinese friends and acquaintances), and there's anecdotal evidence that Chinese driving licences are far too easily obtained. Part of the problem is that tourists are allowed to disembark from long-haul flights, pick up a car or campervan at the airport, and immediately set off on their touring holiday; weary, jet-lagged, and without any knowledge of local road rules, in a country with very different road conditions from what they're accustomed to.

Having driven in both continental Europe and South America as a visitor I cannot comprehend how anyone can end up driving on the wrong side of the road when there's the constant reminder of sitting on the opposite side of the vehicle from what's accustomed. Anyone so utterly clueless should not be allowed to drive.

The situation is not helped by European car manufacturers (BMW, Audi, and Volvo are the worst offenders) who use adverts obviously made in Europe and thus show cars being driven on the wrong side of the road. Not that our useless government will do anything to stop the carnage for fear of putting off a few tourists and losing the supposed and probably grossly over-stated economic benefits they bring. Clearly the horrific cost of fatal crashes is not factored in to balance the ledger.

Richard

[norustplease]

The dangerous moment is when you have stopped, for, say, fuel and in that moment's lapse of concentration when starting off again, you instinctively head for the wrong side of the road.
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1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV