European Driving / Riding (Revisited)

[Lotsokids]

Maybe I beat this topic to death, but it's amazing driving here in Europe... specifically Hungary, Austria and Germany. Drivers' attention is super high.

Today I was leaving town and I just turned onto a main two-way road. I nailed the throttle hard in first, approaching behind a car. But I was only going maybe 50 MPH. The Hungarian driver immediately jerked his car to the right to let me pass (in his lane). It wasn't a good time to pass in my opinion, so I didn't. But the driver just stayed tucked way over to the right. When all was clear, I passed and all was good. As an American, it still surprises me when I see this very common "Please pass me" attitude of drivers here. They make many provisions to allow you to pass. I wish that was more common in other parts of the world.

[Pat Conlon]

It is from situational awareness developed from proper training. The driver was aware of what was happening behind him and reacted with courtesy. Very common in the EU, but unfortunately rare in the US.

Although in my recent cross country trips, I've noticed some improvement. Fewer drivers seem to be camped in the #1 (fast) lane, using that lane only to pass, then merging over to the #2 or #3 lane.

I still maintain that the best drivers in the world are from Germany. When you are on the Autobahn you better damn well know what is going on behind you, or you will end up having a Porsche up your ass.

German drivers rock. They are fast, smooth, smart and highly aware.

[movenon]

Maybe I beat this topic to death, but it's amazing driving here in Europe... specifically Hungary, Austria and Germany. Drivers' attention is super high.

Today I was leaving town and I just turned onto a main two-way road. I nailed the throttle hard in first, approaching behind a car. But I was only going maybe 50 MPH. The Hungarian driver immediately jerked his car to the right to let me pass (in his lane). It wasn't a good time to pass in my opinion, so I didn't. But the driver just stayed tucked way over to the right. When all was clear, I passed and all was good. As an American, it still surprises me when I see this very common "Please pass me" attitude of drivers here. They make many provisions to allow you to pass. I wish that was more common in other parts of the world.

We were told /taught in Italy that if someone wants to pass you have to by law pull over as far as you can and that included putting your wheels over deeply onto the shoulder.  And if a car flashes there headlights at you then get our ass's over because they ARE going to pass and have the right to do that.  About like having an emergency vehicle behind you here in the states.  Give way.
George

[yosemite]

riding through Spain a few years ago ,we found that if we came up behind another vehicle they would put their right indicators on if it was safe to pass but if it wasn't they would put their left indicators on,I never saw a case where there help was wrong although being used to British roads I was always cautious.
In Eire drivers pull onto the "hard shoulder"  to allow you to pass, a lot of roads there have these, although I've seen a couple of near misses in Northern Ireland where drivers from the south have done this  in places that aren't suitable (slip roads on motorways).
  yosemite

[Lotsokids]

riding through Spain a few years ago ,we found that if we came up behind another vehicle they would put their right indicators on if it was safe to pass but if it wasn't they would put their left indicators on,

Same in Hungary. Many places are legal to pass, but limited visibility (like a long sweeping right curve). Big trucks commonly flash the right turn signal to let you know it's clear to pass.

[Bones]

In Australia, they will speed up and block your spot when your trying to merge on to a highway, sit in the overtaking lane 20kmh under the speed limit, don't use indicaters when changing lanes, drive that close behind you can't see their headlights, drive through red lights and stop signs etc...... And they wonder why there's road rage.

[the fan]

I spent a good bit of time in Southern Germany a few years ago. I was pleasantly surprised all summer at how courteous and competent (and bold/brave) the drivers were. Then I returned in December during a snow storm...


...Bunch of Euro sissies

[Firehawk068]

Also, in most of Europe, driver licensing is very thorough, strict, and challenging. They take it very seriously...........................Over here in the states, driver licensing is a joke at best...........They give any idiot a license here,  and a vast number of drivers on the road don't even possess one...............