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Driving in the Highlands is quite different from what you may
be accustomed to, so we thought it would be helpful if we pointed out
a few very important basics. Afterall the objective of you coming to
visit us is to have a pleasant time.
Over the coming months we will develop this information to make it more
comprehensive.
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In the UK EVERYONE drives on the left hand side of the road.
This means the simple, basic, No 1 Rule of the Road is to GIVE
WAY or YIELD to traffic coming from your RIGHT.
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The maximum speed limit anywhere in the UK is 70mph. This
speed is the legal, maximum speed for motorway journeys
too.
In the UK and in the Highlands, we have highways which are called
DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS. The maximum, legal speed on these roads
is 70mph. Dual carriageways have two lanes in both directions
and at any time, can have very small roads joining the carriageway
at right-angles to the main carriageway. Further more, vehicles
can cross dual carriageways at right-angles, whereas on a motorway
this is not physically possible. Trunk Roads are most other
kinds of roads as well as Single Track roads. On trunk
roads the maximum speed limit is 60mph, unless there are
signs instructing you otherwise.
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BUM IN GEAR - BRAIN IN NEUTRAL!
In the Highlands driving too slow can be just as dangerous as
driving too fast. Here's what happens...
You're driving along a road, as far as you're concerned, you've
only been driving on the wrong side of the road, in a strange
rental car, with the wheel on the wrong side of the car, for a
few days. Or your pulling your caravan to park it somewhere else,
or your mini-camper only does 40mph.
You are completely astonished at how close the oncoming traffic
is passing you. Everytime a coach or a truck approaches, you're
sure its going to hit you.
So you're traveling along the road at between 35-40mph and just
coping nicely.
However, behind you, there are now a large number of other vehicles
all crawling along at YOUR speed - maybe 12 or more. Suddenly,
a driver in one of these vehicles decides he's had enough and
he's going to get passed you, if its the last thing he does. Sadly,
it often is the last thing he does. The resulting RTA is horrific
- mangled vehicles, dead people in cars, blood all over the place
- and some poor souls have to clear it up!
Fortunately, this need not happen, because we have a solution
to this very frequent problem - they are called lay-byes and passing
places.
All you have to do is this:
1 CHECK YOUR MIRRORS FREQUENTLY - when traffic is building
up behind you, its time to pull over!
2 CHECK YOUR SPEED - 50mph is quite a reasonable speed
to travel - 35mph is not and other drivers consider it very selfish.
3 USE PASSING PLACES and LAY-BYES
When you see a blue road sign with a big letter 'P' on it, this
means you can pull up, to let cars go bye.
4 DON'T PARK ON THE HIGHWAY - someone will take your butt
off!
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If you enjoy driving fast in your car, truck or motorcycle, the
obligation is on you to drive with CONSIDERATION and RESPECT for
others. Just think about - there could be any number or reasons
why someone ahead is driving slowing. Driving immediately behind
another vehicle, is BLOODY STUPID and guaranteed to be the catylist
for an accident.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE - AT ALL TIMES -
A minimum of 30 metres is the least you should consider.
Keeping a clear, safe distance from the vehicle in front,
allows faster vehicles to pass safely between two slower moving
vehicles. This distance also provides everyone with a good THINKING
DISTANCE - the distance your vehicle travels before you react
to changes.
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A simple and effective way to help on-coming vehicles to SEE
YOU, is to drive at all times with your dipped, main headlights
ON - try this test for yourself.
Next time you're driving along on a wet day, spend more time observing
the vehicles approaching you. See how more quickly and more easily
you can DETECT and JUDGE a vehicle with its headlights
on... Really simple or what?
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