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Car
Rental Companies:
Europcar
Avis
Budget
Sixt
Driving in London
As you know, the British drive on the "wrong"
side of the road, something one should get use to. However,
the good things about the British driving, is that you hardly ever
hear a car horn, everyone waits their turn and no one runs the yellow
light. Considering the horrendous amount of traffic in very tight
quarters, the cars all run like clockwork and it's hard to imagine
there really is "road rage" over there. How the buses (double decker
for the most part) manage the tight corners is anyone's guess. Sitting
on the top deck and looking out, you might vision a disaster, but
there isn't any. The drivers work magic as they weave their way
impossibly through streets that are so narrow that only one vehicle
can pass at a time. Indeed, on the residential streets where cars
are parked on either side, that's the style of driving. If you see
a car approaching, you slow down and stop behind a parked car until
the oncoming car has passed and you can move on.
Parking
A single yellow line along the curb indicates a restriction, especially
Mon-Fri. A double yellow line means no parking at all times. A double
red line indicates a bus route on which there is no stopping at
all. In London Traffic Wardens enforces the regulations strictly
and will have your car towed away if you park in the wrong place.
Speed Limits
* motorways - 70mph (112kph)
* major roads - 60mph (96kph)
* urban areas - 30mph (48kph)
Seat
Belts
By law all passengers must be strapped in both front and rear.
Driving Tips:
Don't drive in London
unless you have to ! It just wasn't built for
cars. The system of one way streets on top of the fact that you're
driving "on the wrong side of the road," not counting the volume
of the traffic, the cost of "petrol" and the convoluted street system
all adds up to a bit more than most people can chew. Parking in
London is also a nightmare, what makes London Public Transport the
best choice. It's quicker especially during rush hour when you would
save time if you walked!
Illegal Parking: Always check
the signs relating to your parking bay. Residents should check their
cars and the signs at least once a day, since bays may be suspended
at very short notice.
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