Drive in Developed Countries
When a person from a developing country goes to a developed country, a cultural shock usually occurs. One of those things is the driving culture. They need time to adjust and adapt to the driving style to adapt to the new culture. This article will help you to adapt faster. Notice that this does not apply to all developed countries, but it does benefit for driving in most developed countries such as USA, Canada, UK, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Netherlands, etc. This article is not compatible for countries like Italy, Greece, etc.
Contents
Steps
- Learn the basic rules and the laws of the country. This varies in each country, so always learn the basics before driving in a country. Breaking the law will cause you penalties or even arrest.
- Learn the maps. Always know where you are going.
- Watch video footage of the driving style of the country on the internet. Sometimes watching is more effective than reading.
- Read articles on the internet about tourist perceptions of driving in the country, as well as local perceptions. If you can read ones made by the people who came from your own country, you might be able to learn from their experiences and help prepare yourself.
- Respect other drivers. A misunderstanding might occur if you often have negative perceptions of other drivers. Be aware that you are responsible for your actions. Remember that the road belongs to the public, and it's therefore important to respond everyone on the road.
Tips
- It is best to have an experienced local sitting next to you when you're driving. Ask him/her some basic tips, which can be very handful.
Warnings
- Be aware of your actions. Because the traffic system is more likely to be organized in developed countries, drivers are less aware of changes. Therefore, you must be extra cautious of you movements. Use signal lights to alert drivers that you are about to switch lane. Give a way to drivers who have the right of way. Avoid overtaking or undertaking closely.
- Do not tailgate. Not only it is unsafe, it can also be emotionally offensive for the victim.
- Avoid using the horn, unless it is an emergency. Use it only to alert other driver to avoid collisions. Do not honk when the car in front of you is stopping, braking, or slowing down because there are possible reasons for that such as a crossing pedestrian, a traffic ahead, or a car parking ahead which you cannot see because the view is blocked by the car in front of you. Honking in some developed countries is considered to be rude because it indicates that the honker is impatient and forcing drivers to give way. Honking is sometimes associated with expressing anger, hate, or displeasure. Honking is also being used to correct a driver's mistake, but it can be offensive too, if it turns out to be a misunderstanding, rather than a real fault. To avoid the risk of misunderstanding, it is best not to honk at all.
- Do not honk when the traffic light turns green from red because it takes time for the traffic to move.
- Do not honk when a car from the turn is waiting to get a way to your way, unless the car is moving.
- Do not honk at cars that are stopping or slowing down on the passing/faster lane as the driver might be waiting for a line up of cars that are about to do a U turn.
- Do not honk at drivers who are giving signal lights to switch lane. It takes time to switch lane.
- Avoid honking in a residential full of houses as it will disturb the convenience of the resident.
- Do not honk if you are driving near the hospital as it might disturb the patients, especially the older ones.
- Do not honk at places with no honk sign.
- Do not try to cut a driver who is giving signal light to switch lane, unless you are in a position where your car is close to the level of the rear side of the car that is about to switch lanes.
