Driving in Australia can challenge all your feelings, emotions, natural instincts and concentration, especially if you are from America or continental Europe, where the traffic on the right side of the road is literally to the right.
Here are some of the "Drive in Australia". things to consider:
1. Australian drive on the left side of the road, which may be “right” for them, but when you get behind the wheel of an Australian car, remember that the oncoming traffic will approach you on the right side. It is not uncommon for travelers arriving in Australia from left-hand drive districts to have accidents soon after they left the airport on their brilliant new rental car because they managed to get on the wrong side of the road. It also occurs more frequently in popular tourist destinations such as the Great Ocean Road along the southern coast of Victoria.
2. Australian exotic wildlife loves to physically resist cars, especially to appear in front of them, as dusk falls or in the middle of the night. While a collision with a heavy set of kangaroos or a wombat is likely to leave your vehicle without movement, it’s not necessary if you are confused with any wild nature, try to go around it. If it is safe for you to slow down, then do it, but don’t turn off to avoid it, since you may well be able to drive off the side of the road and into one of these huge majestic Australian trees, which, attractive Australian koalas are implacable with any traffic hit means or in oncoming traffic. Yes, this means that your car has hit a pet if you cannot safely avoid it.
3. Cars specifically designed for Australia often have indicators and wiper arms on the opposite side of European right-hand drive cars. Therefore, when you are almost guaranteed to turn on the windshield wipers, when you want to turn left or right, or indicators, to clear water from the windscreen, familiarize yourself with the controls so that at least you can quickly correct any error.
4. The speed limit in Australia is a controversial issue even for Australian drivers and can change several times over a short distance in residential areas and leads to or from regional cities. There are also different speed limits for certain periods for school zones, and there may also be different maximum speed limits in different states in Australia. All speed limits are well marked, so just watch the signs and you'll be fine.
5. If you go to Victoria and go to the city of Melbourne, you will see signs of what is called "Hook." These “turning corners” have nothing to do with pirates, rather, they are intended to encourage traffic flow and require drivers to turn right from the left lane. Yes, it sounds up and down, but you need to remember where you are. So, this is how it works: if you want to turn right at the intersection, which is indicated by turning Hook Turn & # 39; sign, please enter the left lane and enter the intersection. Once at the intersection, slowly to a stop in the upper left corner of the left lane (with the right indicator turned on). Wait until the traffic light is in front of your red color and, having checked the right shoulder for other cars, complete your right turn on the crossing road and continue as usual. If you hire a car, ask the rack staff to explain it fully with examples.
6. Australia is a huge country, and many of the country's remote roads are long and rarely used. If you use any of these remote roads, be sure to keep a supply of water and food in case of emergencies. If your car breaks down, never, never, never (I do not say "NEVER") do not leave your car. Search teams are more likely to find you in their car than if you decided to go on foot and put yourself at often extremely high day and night temperatures.
7. Finally, Australia is a great country for traveling and exploring your own car. Despite the fact that the above items can lead to the fact that driving in Australia sounds dangerous, these are just some of the few problems that we face as travelers when visiting any country that is not ours. They talk more about being cautious when driving in unfamiliar surroundings and safely returning home with some wonderful tales of driving on the wrong side of the road!
Australia is well represented by a number of car rental companies, including the well-known budget and Drive Now. There are also a number of other operators who can provide everything from small cars to large fully autonomous and vehicles.
