Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#1
seeing the amount of acidents involving left hand drive cars/lorries along our magour roads,should we cosider changeing over to driving on the right instead of the left.my theroy is if we all drove on the same side it would cut these so called blind side accidents out all together,or most of them any way.what are forum members thouts on this.
#2
Good idea, let's be European about this!
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#3
yes sid we are living in the dark ages,have been for last 110 years.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#4
Why not the Europeans changing to drive on the left instead
The cost would be huge, a massive change in the road infrastucture would be required, not just signage but 'hard build' as well. Initially the bulk of cars would remain with driving wheels on the right. Then there would be a massive re-education of drivers needed.
In the transition there would very likely be more accidents caused by this than you would get in 20 years from 'blind side' accidents now.
It would be a pointless and expensive madness.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
#5
A number of people have been driving on the right hand side of the road for years, and no joking here. Many times I`ve used `my` side of the road fully, but other road user`s who think it`s their god damn right to cut corners off etc. A good example, down the hill past Kearsney station on your right, then past the junction with River on your left, then straight down onto that S bend opposite the rest home. I`ve near clipped a few motorists `many` times there with the van. I`ve got nothing to lose, the camera always with me to show they`re on the wrong side of the road.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#6
barryw,cant see the other 26 or so changing can you.but saying that i think sweeden changed over from left to right in the last 20 years with out to much trouble,and it was televised as well such a smooth trancition to.they had a set time and day to change over and was well organized.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#7
they had a trial in ireland a few years ago, just for the cars, but it didnt work....
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
#8
I dont think the UK accidents involving left hand drive vehicles is because of foreign drivers unfamiliarity with our system, I think its because they are so damned tired and are not fully awake. There are many accidents in Europe witnessed by me every day involving trucks and most involve just one vehicle which has veered off or across the road.
I would hate to change the side of the road we drive on, I feel much more secure driving a right hand vehicle in Europe and apart from difficulty when overtaking on non motorway roads their is no difference to UK driving.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#9
sid,not only european,allso america/canada,do i need to go on.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#10
But Japan the worlds largest car manufacturer also drive on the left as do the Aussies,South Africans,New Zealanders and whole pile of other countries.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#11
ken makes a point about tiredness in drivers, the crash last week between two trucks near samphire hoe has not been explained yet as to what caused it.
they were both foreign registered vehicles.
#12
As Brian says, Sweden changed overnight some years back in the 1990's as mentioned in #6. All the road signs, nationally, were changed by non-violent prisoners. A great idea, gave them something different to do and didn't cost the taxpayer either.
I think Ken's observation, #8, is spot on.
We are in Europe and should be consistent, which would incidentally mean raising speed limits on certain major roads, which would also be a good thing IMHO.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
#13
Does this mean motorist`s will travel down London Road the opposite way?
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#14
colin ,in a word no.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
#15
As Barry says, the cost would be massive, and since we're skint until the second coming, it ain't gonna happen.
I'm keen to know, though, why everything British has to be laid on the great Euro altar of sacrifice. Why can't they drive on the left?
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#16
The BBC did a report on this last year about hte technicalities of swapping !
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8239048.stmBeen nice knowing you :)
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
#17
Thanks for that link, Paul.
I particularly like this comment from a Chris in Cambridge on the 'your comments' section: "To get the UK to drive on the right would be expensive, disruptive, unpopular and dangerous. So, it's quite surprising that the government hasn't tried to enforce this already. ID cards anyone?"
Pleasing to see that cynics exist beyond Dover's boundaries!
True friends stab you in the front.
#18
Andy, that could have been our very own ChrisP on a day out in Cambridge and choosing to vent his spleen whilst there!
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#19
looking at the world map on pauls link,it seems that 3/4 of the world drive on the right.if you pardon the pun at least they are doing the right thing and the rest of us are getting left behind.
Guest 658- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 660
#20
Why is it that so many people who dont drive seem to know whats best on the roads.
beer the food of the gods
