Im an American, I got my Full UK DL 2 years ago, roundabouts are very easy once you get use to them, spiral roundabouts are abit more difficult, overall driving in the UK is easier because the other drivers are more courteous , and you have to be courteous too
A big spiral roundabout near me has had all the paint for the lines wear off. The locals still spiral because we know how it works, but people who don't know it drive as if it has circular lanes. There have been a number of near miss accidents because of this. But the entire road is being rebuilt and they don't want to repaint the lines until they've finished some time next year.
I've only just come across your channel and so I would like to say, even though you've been here for a while now, welcome to the UK. I hope you like it.
Roads are very narrow in most towns so you'll develop spacial awareness skills when traffic's coming from the opposite direction. It all takes time, welcome to the UK
Yes..lol..around here Suffolk, it's said the narrow winding roads, are Medieval, made by the locals leaving the pubs! The Roman roads are straight as arrows, and some are over 2,000 years old, in better order than the potholed ones we get now..
Pre-dating the Romans, Many Neolithic and Bronze Age trackways went on to become modern roads. Back then little land had been cleared so they had to wind around more trees and other obstacles. Those obstacles disappeared many centuries ago but the roads still follow the original winding routes
Texan here! I’m living in England as well 😌 I moved here before Rona decided to close everything down. My husband is British. I am taking my official driving test next month to have a full license.
When people start driving in the UK I always recommend they take a one or two hour driving lesson, including if they hire a car straight away. It can help with confidence by easing you in gently and 'holding your hand' first time out. Luckily you were on really quiet roundabouts when you were filming. Practice makes perfect. It could help if you take a look at Ashley Neal's channel. This is not a criticism by the way. When I hadn't driven for a couple of years I took a two hour lesson just to get me back into the way of it, especially as I had my kids in the car. I really hope you are enjoying living in the UK and look forward to seeing other videos. Stay safe and healthy!
@@antonycharnock2993 Yes. I like Ashley for 'on the road' but Driving Videos UK for the animated descriptions. They are clearer and easier to understand.
My experience of Americans driving in the UK is somewhat coloured by the daily near-death moments working as a signalman at Lakenheath. Red lights mean "stop", folks, not cross to the wrong side of the road, speed up, and try to send the poor old boy pushing the level crossing gates into the next county!
I first came across the Swindon Magic roundabout unexpectedly! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing…. About six roundabouts surrounding one in the middle. It was OK though, you just treat each one as a single roundabout until you can exit them all. Hopefully in the direction you intended! 😬
The Rolling English Road By G. K. Chesterton Before the Roman came to Rye or out to Severn strode, The rolling English drunkard made the rolling English road. A reeling road, a rolling road, that rambles round the shire, And after him the parson ran, the sexton and the squire; A merry road, a mazy road, and such as we did tread The night we went to Birmingham by way of Beachy Head. I knew no harm of Bonaparte and plenty of the Squire, And for to fight the Frenchman I did not much desire; But I did bash their baggonets because they came arrayed To straighten out the crooked road an English drunkard made, Where you and I went down the lane with ale-mugs in our hands, The night we went to Glastonbury by way of Goodwin Sands. His sins they were forgiven him; or why do flowers run Behind him; and the hedges all strengthening in the sun? The wild thing went from left to right and knew not which was which, But the wild rose was above him when they found him in the ditch. God pardon us, nor harden us; we did not see so clear The night we went to Bannockburn by way of Brighton Pier. My friends, we will not go again or ape an ancient rage, Or stretch the folly of our youth to be the shame of age, But walk with clearer eyes and ears this path that wandereth, And see undrugged in evening light the decent inn of death; For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen, Before we go to Paradise by way of Kensal Green.
@@ebl36 Not in West Yorkshire where my parents live, and not in East Anglia where I live (where the issue is making sure you don't end up in a deep drainage ditch if you come off the road).
'The weather can change quickly in the UK and you might get sun, rain or high winds'...........or ice, fog, mist, snow and sometimes all of these in one day lol :)
It would be nice if people would understand that the UK is not the only country in the world where cars are driven on the left. I get rather angry when people make the UK seem like a curious oddity to be mocked when there are other nations that do the same. Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, India, Thailand, South Africa and Malta are are a few examples.
As well as our winding lanes criss-crossing the countryside, we also have an extensive public footpath network, usually heading for churches and pubs! I don't know if you have had a chance to explore any of these yet. Our Ordnance Survey maps show them as dashed lines.
Something unique about country roads in Britain is the camber, where roads have an inbuilt curve across the width. This is to help drain off the rain but it takes some getting used to, and if you don't hold the wheel firmly enough you may find the car drifts to the nearside. Some manufacturers even have to adapt their cars' suspension for the British market accordingly (the first Renault Scenic and the Vauxhall Vectra are two that come to mind.)
I’ve been really enjoying your videos but after seeing this one I think you live pretty close to me (Peterborough). I’m really impressed that you have made an effort to visit out of the way places rather than just London. Thanks for the videos, I look forward to more of them.
Statistically speaking traffic light controlled junctions have more accidents per year in the US than uk roundabouts and on average all uk roundabouts combined have nearly x2 the traffic flow of the us traffic light junction per year.
@@MacandBlair combine it with a trip to Avebury, largest European stone circle, for more old stonework, magically atmospheric in each season. Then Silbury Hill. It's the largest prehistoric man made mound in Europe.
Many of those country roads and lanes were created as tracks that cows and bullocks trod hundreds or even thousands of years ago. The straight roads often modernised (obviously) were originally Roman roads. I saw several passing places on that country lane that you showed where you pull in to let another driver pass by. Always interesting to get a different perspective. I have driven through out Europe too and extensively in the US. Your snow blizzards are terrible to drive in just like UK fog! Hope you enjoy your stay here.
Am I allowed to point out that it is the Traffic signs in the USA that are different. Most of the world use the same sign layouts, colours and meanings as does the UK. Enjoy living in the UK but always have an umbrella handy.
Republic of Ireland drives on the left, but has a weird mix of American style and European style road signs. Also unlike the UK all their signage is metric.
You could also add a bit about the difference in the length of day between summer and winter, especially as you go further north . It is 10.00pm here just now but the sky is still light. Contrast with winter when it can be dark by 3.00pm
Great vid…..settle-in and have a great time in UK👍🏻You never know, one day you might settle here….many Americans do. One of my friends came over here from NYC years ago on an extended holiday, armed with all his family history papers, determined to to look-up where his ancestors came from. He found the village in Surrey, just south of London, and his ancestor’s entries the local records office and church from 1820 or so. He fell in love with the place and now lives just a few miles from there with his English wife!👍🏻Life has come a full circle😀
General rules for signs are, circular ones TELL you to either do something, or don't. Triangles WARN you, octagons (only is 1) TELL you to stop, others are advisory and information. Speed limits are varied by class of vehicle. I advise anyone nervous about driving to have a lesson or 2 from a driving school, it's easy. Or get yourself a set of "P" plates, these are for new drivers and everyone gives them a wide berth cos you just don't know what to expect
It's octagonal so you can tell it's a stop sign even if it's covered by snow. Accompanied by a thick stop line and the word STOP in case the stop sign gets knocked down in an accident. Proper belt and braces approach.
Driving in US I could never work out when I could and couldn't turn right on a red light at traffic lights esp when there was no filter arrow. At least here a red light means stop in every circumstance and dont mention trucks they scared me to death, the speed they drive. In the UK they are limited in speed so are rarely overtaken by one on non motorway or dual carriageway roads.Have fun guys
You need to try driving up Hardknot pass in the lake district. When you reach the top you can't see the road for a few feet :) there's a roman fort to look at plus you can take the kids on the ravensglass railway, that will take you to the coast and main line
Whilst somewhat superficial, this is one of the best 'Americans driving in the UK/Europe' videos that I have seen. Even the most rigorous American driving test is far too easy! Yes, study the UK 'Highway Code' and its equivalent in Europe but also consider following online driving Instructors such as Ashley Neil or DGN. Ideally, book a some sessions with a local driving instructor. Driving on the left in the UK I have also driven thousands of miles driving on the right in Europe in my 'right hand drive' British car. That makes it difficult to overtake on a 'two way road' unless you have a trustworthy and competent driver in the passenger seat. Conversely, driving in America in an 'automatic' LHD Ford Mustang was easy despite the total lack of discipline of American drivers. Be very aware of setting off on the 'wrong side of the road'! On one occasion I parked on the left side of the road to vi sit a French restaurant, on leaving my wife had to remind me to move over to the right! Maybe place a big arrow on the dashboard pointing to the appropriate side and you will not kill an innocent British motorcyclist! Anne Sacoolas - face the music! On the 'Freeway' (Motorway/Autobahn/Autostrada) or even a 'dual carriageway' you may think you are going fast at 90mph but there is likely a vehicle filling your mirror and overtaking you at 100/120 or even (in Germany) 160mh+!
@@michaelchannell404 She's scared of going to prison, and given the state of UK prisons I have some sympathy with her on that count. Of course we should have prisons fit for people to live in, but that requires money and initiative.
The first video on TH-cam I’ve seen of where I live. Alconbury is a nice little village, I lived there for a few years. I live just outside st ives now. 👍
Also worth noting if it's not already been mentioned regarding #4, if you're driving on a single track road (especially so in Scotland) and have someone behind you looking to pass, it's common courtesy to pull into a passing place to let them go in front of you.
I have to agree with comments on the spatial awareness, as it is second nature to me to drive down a narrow road, quite often a road marked 60mph will get cars doing 60mph on them but to either learner's, new drivers or older people they may be a bit more slow and steady.
Hi As you are in Central England may I suggest you pop along to Stratford upon Avon to see the old cottages and houses preserved there from Dhakespeares day. I know when a recent novelist wrote a story about Shakespeare she found it very easy as all she had to do for her story set mainly in Stratford was to pop along to see the houses and was immediately transported back to the old times in the Birthplace buildings
Looks like you are driving in my part of the world, I recognised most of the roads on this post, take care Americans always seen to struggle on those little Fen roads.
@@MacandBlair When you get a bit more acclimatised to the driving, it can be worth heading off on the lanes as you can come across some lovely little villages. When I have visitors from the US, Canada and Australia I always "scare" them by taking them cross country to a favourite pub. A lot of local people are scared by the lanes to my house, with its dry stone walls! There's a village nearby where the road and the stream share the same space. It's really beautiful.
@@Lily-Bravo There are no unrestricted roads in the UK. It actually means 60mph (or 70mph on a divided highway) and has done for decades. Now the Isle of Mann does have some genuinely unrestricted speed limit roads, not that you can go particularly fast on them given they're just country roads.
Good video. Just to say, if you are entering a large roundabout (two lane wide)-to stop accident. If you are going left(indicating left) or straight on, stay on the left side of the road. If you are turning right, STAY on the right side of the road whilst indicating right, remaining on the right side as you enter and turning on the roundabout then after 12o'clock of the roundabout, ease the car to the left as you go round to the exit of the roundabout, indicating left (to others coming on to the roundabout that you are exiting there). Of course this is for general roundabout. Sometimes there are signs approaching a roundabout of which lanes you should be on. Please stay in lane whilst on a roundabout, Especially turning right. Use indicators. I'm from the old school but alas with saying all this, the UK is becoming lazy with drivers not using their indicators to indicate their intentions.
Love this. Of course, on country lanes (the narrow ones with passing places), it is not unusual to find yourself stuck due to other hazards ..... well, okay, it might be unusual to find a cow in the centre of the road, refusing to budge, so that one has to just switch off the engine and wait!!! 😆😆😆😆 Yes, this happened to us in North Yorkshire, once. We still laugh about it!
We have a common nearby where the cows and some ponies are let out in Spring through to Autumn. There is a 40mph limit but the cows have priority. There are several different breeds and they seem to keep together in herds. There is also a golf course and kite flying goes on as well.
I was a passenger in the car, giving my son some driving practise before his test ,when we found ourselves facing a flock of sheep. .I was most impressed with the way he didn`t panic ,just switched off and waited, he was quietly gratified to receive a salute of thanks from the drover.
There is a Somerset story about two drivers passing each other in a narrow lane. As they passed the driver in one car wound down the window and yelled "pig". The other driver replied "cow" and drove off round the bend - straight into a large porker!
Welcome to the UK. I'm not far from where you are. We recently moved from London to North Milton Keynes (ha ha not far by your standards), which is not too far from Kettering. There tends to be so much more roundabouts up this way, but they're easy once you get used to them.
Welcome to the UK. Reading the Highway Code enables to establish the fundamental rules so this is good. Well done. I think the police will always think 'safety first' so adopt that view point when out. Liked.
Six exits is not the limit for roundabouts, I know of one with seven and there is no legal limit. It's just a matter of size and complexity, there is less need for roundabouts with many exits,
Great videos and thank you for being so polite about us, just one gripe…….please, oh please ditch the music. It’s far too loud and distracting, especially if one’s hearing is not so good.
Nice to see that you took that time to learn to drive safely in the UK. Unlike the US diplomats wife that dove on the wrong side last year. Killed a teenager then went back to the US within 24 hours and refused to talk the the police or the boy's parents!
@@alastairgreen6783 It's a bit different than that. She was the wife of a diplomat. He had diplomatic immunity. But she didn't. He was just 16 riding a moped. She turn out of an RAF base where her husband worked for the US government onto the wrong side of the road and hit him face on. He died there and then! She went to the US embassy hiding. The UK police and his parents begged her to talk them. But she claim diplomatic immunity and went on the next flight to the USA. It was only when she was back in the US that the UK government found out that the diplomatic immunity was only for her husband and not for her. The UK Prime Minstser contacted the US President (Obama) for her to fly back and speak with the UK police and the boy's parents. But nothing!
@@sunseeker8457 Yes, you are almost correct but you name the wrong US President - a year ago it would have been Trumpy! And Harry Dunn was 19. "19-year-old British man who died following a road traffic collision, on 27 August 2019" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Harry_Dunn
Good video. How often do you post. I'd be interested to see more of what yo find different about the UK. You might want to turn down the music a bit - it makes it hard to hear your voices.
Thanks for the advice David. This was one of the first videos we ever recorded. But I am still working on getting the sound mix right. We try to post once a week.
Britain is the safest place to drive or ride in the world statistically speaking....Im slightly surprised by your vid, most visitors comment on the speed, (we drive quick) and the politeness in contrast to many countries....were pretty proud of being the best drivers in the world actually, so enjoy.
@@Isleofskye More than half of the population of London was not born in the UK and that means a drop in driving standards has occurred - foreign drivers can drive on their own countries licences for 2 years before they need to take the British driving test, which is much tougher. I moved out to Essex where good driving manners and common courtesy are still to be found.
I could not agree more, my friend. The difference in courtesy and politeness and even friendliness between Kent, where I have lived on the border of with S E London since 1983 is amazing and has got wider apart even making allowances for the slightly slower pace. Around.2 years ago I returned to my old haunts and drove down a VERY wide road the wrong way. The reaction was incredible from 2 or 3 Guys, in particular. One Guy acted that I had violated his whole family and he was furious and yet 5 yards away from him ! 10 miles from Central London but a million miles in other ways.
I had the opposite experience driving overseas, when I should have been driving on the right. At a security gate I mistakenly drove though on the left. I pipped my horn at another vehicle coming towards me before I realised he was correct and I was wrong. Its embarrassing to say the least when that happens.
I live on the South Coast Portsmouth area near the sea, our weather is diffrent to what it's like in the Midlands and North England it's warmer and very humid here very rare we get snow if it does snow it stays no more then 2 days then it's gone. We have palms and grapes being grown here.
@@MacandBlair if you like history portsmouth is the place, want to eat and shop go to Gunwharf Quays can sit out side overlooking the Harbour or shop around Nike shop or Addis shop Clarkes shoe shop great for cheaper kids shoes. Brighton is a fantastic place to visit like the palace pier and the lanes with the small shops of strange things! You go to Brighton watch where you park as some multi-storey car parks can be expensive or park on Madeira Drive near the pier out side.
@@MacandBlair you'd love it. admiral lord nelson's flagship, hms victory, is at portsmouth. wherein he died, winning the battle of trafalgar 1805. don't ask to see the engine room though. sorry, not being rude, but the guide told me that some americans do
For American viewers, Some of the roads in the UK, like the A429 Fosseway, it's an old Roman road (check out Chedworth Roman villa, just off the a429 near Cirencester). If it's straight, chances are it's based on an old Roman road. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_roads_in_Britannia
Great vid but the music was a tad intrusive and makes speech harder to distinguish as one ages. Your presentation is great and does not need music beneath it for me but I realise others may disagree. Cheers.
A couple of years ago, I took an American couple out for the day, en route a car collided with us, they were surprised by how polite we are and that I was more concerned for the safety and well being of the lady who drove into us ( she was having a very bad day) they said in the US it could get violent, but I am sure most people are the same the world over, I took them to the Tank museum, they loved it, and as a surprise, to a hidden village that their ancestors would have known, called Tyneham, I think they wanted to live their !!
I love your series, it is such a breath of fresh air. Your attitude is exemplary. My only comment would be to ditch the music. Your voices are enough. Do you like Marmite ?
Never heard them called fog legs before, fog lamps, Yes, or did I miss hear ? We do have narrow back roads, these were originally for horse & carts, where as American roads were built with the car in mind, and as you generally drive bigger cars, hence bigger roads.
Its not really a Fog. I would say mist. Mostly in rural areas with damp on the fields and changing temperatures. Sometimes there will be an heavy mist over the fields about 8 to 12 ft high, While everywhere else is clear. Looks pretty cool i think.
from where you’re driving in the video I’m guessing you work on the Alconbury U.S base, I live not far from there and worked on the building site on the RAF base
@@MacandBlair Although the Magic Roundabout is in Swindon, Milton Keynes is famed for its roundabouts: When MK was built in the late 1960s, all main junctions were made rbts, as they are safer and can handle more traffic.
Looks like you're living somewhere near to me. If you've not visited Stamford yet, you should - it's a small market town full of history. If you ever decide to check it out, let me know, and I'll give you a tour of our beautiful town - maybe make you some homemade (as opposed to 'pub grub' Sunday Lunch.
Welcome to the UK ..i understood what you said about double roundabouts ,but i think your target market ie fellow americand will not have a clue what you meant lol..With the dirt tracks lol you will notice on your video pot holed part with no grass at the edge ,those are where you can pull in to let others by ..Weather wise ..if you want 4 seasons in 1 day try scotland !!! Or don't you know about Colorado ??? lol..Hope you are enjoying it here
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Im an American, I got my Full UK DL 2 years ago, roundabouts are very easy once you get use to them, spiral roundabouts are abit more difficult, overall driving in the UK is easier because the other drivers are more courteous , and you have to be courteous too
Have you tried the Magic Roundabout in Swindon? Fun to behold.
A big spiral roundabout near me has had all the paint for the lines wear off. The locals still spiral because we know how it works, but people who don't know it drive as if it has circular lanes. There have been a number of near miss accidents because of this. But the entire road is being rebuilt and they don't want to repaint the lines until they've finished some time next year.
Compared to the driving you see in some other countries, almost all UK drivers are courteous.
@jack drought always one racist about
Roundabouts are great. If we didn't have them, there would be traffic lights everywhere. Roundabouts keep traffic flowing.
Except when councils seem to be putting traffic lights on every bloody roundabout
@@MasonBryant Too many cars.
This is like a 1970's public information film... only better! :) (Yes I am that old)
I've only just come across your channel and so I would like to say, even though you've been here for a while now, welcome to the UK. I hope you like it.
Thanks Carl.
Excellent. I'm British, but unlike some videos, you have been informative but not Judgemental. Well done.
Roads are very narrow in most towns so you'll develop spacial awareness skills when traffic's coming from the opposite direction. It all takes time, welcome to the UK
As a Brit living abroad. I miss roundabouts. They are so convienent
Sorry about all the narrow roads but most were created hundreds (if not thousands) of years before cars were even thought of.
Yes..lol..around here Suffolk, it's said the narrow winding roads, are Medieval, made by the locals leaving the pubs! The Roman roads are straight as arrows, and some are over 2,000 years old, in better order than the potholed ones we get now..
Pre-dating the Romans, Many Neolithic and Bronze Age trackways went on to become modern roads. Back then little land had been cleared so they had to wind around more trees and other obstacles. Those obstacles disappeared many centuries ago but the roads still follow the original winding routes
I don't mind the roads... its just something Americans who visit need to be aware of and they roads do have great history.
@@davidhoward2487 ... The Roman roads are straight as arrows... Straight is great , but bendy is trendy ( Chelmsford 123 reference )
Also, British cars are of a reasonable size compared to hulking great American cars so will easily fit narrow roads.
Texan here! I’m living in England as well 😌 I moved here before Rona decided to close everything down. My husband is British. I am taking my official driving test next month to have a full license.
Lori. Good luck on your test!
@@MacandBlair As you've surely noticed, traffic density here is much greater but don't allow that to intimidate you. Good luck with your driving test.
@@davidtaylor4832 Thank y’all 👏🏻
Good luck, :) Once you have passed then the true learning begins :)
I passed Y’all! No driving faults either 😇 I don’t know how I managed that but I did 😂 wooohooooo freeedom
When people start driving in the UK I always recommend they take a one or two hour driving lesson, including if they hire a car straight away. It can help with confidence by easing you in gently and 'holding your hand' first time out. Luckily you were on really quiet roundabouts when you were filming. Practice makes perfect. It could help if you take a look at Ashley Neal's channel. This is not a criticism by the way. When I hadn't driven for a couple of years I took a two hour lesson just to get me back into the way of it, especially as I had my kids in the car.
I really hope you are enjoying living in the UK and look forward to seeing other videos. Stay safe and healthy!
Good suggestions.
Conquer Driving is a very good channel to watch as well.
@@antonycharnock2993 Yes. I like Ashley for 'on the road' but Driving Videos UK for the animated descriptions. They are clearer and easier to understand.
An excellent idea !
My experience of Americans driving in the UK is somewhat coloured by the daily near-death moments working as a signalman at Lakenheath.
Red lights mean "stop", folks, not cross to the wrong side of the road, speed up, and try to send the poor old boy pushing the level crossing gates into the next county!
@@perfumedmanatee6235 nope, just more trains carrying passengers that go much faster !
The killed one in the end and ran off back to murica .
Seems like you're settling in quite nicely. Happy days.
Thanks
Go to Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire and experience the magic roundabout. 7 mini roundabouts around a large one in the middle
Just do what I did, go all the way round the outside and try not to freakout when a car goes the "wrong way" round the roundabout.
Coming from Hemel, I remember when it was created, it was a bit confusing at first, but it works well.. speeds up the traffic..
There's a "magic" roundabout somewhere in Wiltshire, too
@@willrichardson519 Swindon to be precise:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)
I've managed to avoid it so far.
I first came across the Swindon Magic roundabout unexpectedly! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing…. About six roundabouts surrounding one in the middle. It was OK though, you just treat each one as a single roundabout until you can exit them all. Hopefully in the direction you intended! 😬
The Rolling English Road
By G. K. Chesterton
Before the Roman came to Rye or out to Severn strode,
The rolling English drunkard made the rolling English road.
A reeling road, a rolling road, that rambles round the shire,
And after him the parson ran, the sexton and the squire;
A merry road, a mazy road, and such as we did tread
The night we went to Birmingham by way of Beachy Head.
I knew no harm of Bonaparte and plenty of the Squire,
And for to fight the Frenchman I did not much desire;
But I did bash their baggonets because they came arrayed
To straighten out the crooked road an English drunkard made,
Where you and I went down the lane with ale-mugs in our hands,
The night we went to Glastonbury by way of Goodwin Sands.
His sins they were forgiven him; or why do flowers run
Behind him; and the hedges all strengthening in the sun?
The wild thing went from left to right and knew not which was which,
But the wild rose was above him when they found him in the ditch.
God pardon us, nor harden us; we did not see so clear
The night we went to Bannockburn by way of Brighton Pier.
My friends, we will not go again or ape an ancient rage,
Or stretch the folly of our youth to be the shame of age,
But walk with clearer eyes and ears this path that wandereth,
And see undrugged in evening light the decent inn of death;
For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen,
Before we go to Paradise by way of Kensal Green.
You want to try the single track roads with high verges round Devon and Cornwall. They’re fun!
We have even more of them in Scotland but here we love cliff on one side and sheer drop on the other.
@@scootbenet yikes!
And by high verges we mean up to several feet high. Some feel like you're driving almost underground.
you get them all over, not just Devon and Cornwall. Any rural part of the U.K. in May/June will have them in all their beautiful-but-tricky ways
@@ebl36 Not in West Yorkshire where my parents live, and not in East Anglia where I live (where the issue is making sure you don't end up in a deep drainage ditch if you come off the road).
You need to drive the magic roundabout in Swindon oh my that’s fun
But works beautifully,
'The weather can change quickly in the UK and you might get sun, rain or high winds'...........or ice, fog, mist, snow and sometimes all of these in one day lol :)
So true! Four seasons in one day.
I love watching these. It’s a delight to see you settle in and enjoy life in the UK.
agreed. just a detail Mac; the light between red and green is named amber in the uk.
Cool vid guys and informative to anyone coming over. Hope to see more of how you get on over here.
It would be nice if people would understand that the UK is not the only country in the world where cars are driven on the left. I get rather angry when people make the UK seem like a curious oddity to be mocked when there are other nations that do the same. Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, India, Thailand, South Africa and Malta are are a few examples.
I believe about 35 percent of the world actually drives on the left.
@@alanbicknell7696 Until recently the majority of cars in the world were built for driving on the left.
Yes, it all changed last year
Here in Brunei, plus Singapore and Malaysia, also use the British system.
As well as our winding lanes criss-crossing the countryside, we also have an extensive public footpath network, usually heading for churches and pubs! I don't know if you have had a chance to explore any of these yet. Our Ordnance Survey maps show them as dashed lines.
I am glad you noticed we drive on the left hand side of the road. feel a bit safer now!
I'm so happy to hear from beautiful Blair💕 Thank you so much for your views about the UK. Its really helpful to those of us thinking about moving👏🏾🕊
Loved the graphics with video, I watch alot of these comparisons, yours is on of the best, keep it up
Thank you. We will.
Something unique about country roads in Britain is the camber, where roads have an inbuilt curve across the width. This is to help drain off the rain but it takes some getting used to, and if you don't hold the wheel firmly enough you may find the car drifts to the nearside. Some manufacturers even have to adapt their cars' suspension for the British market accordingly (the first Renault Scenic and the Vauxhall Vectra are two that come to mind.)
Well done on mastering the roundabouts, and welcome to the UK from 'down the road' in Hastings
Darren. Thank you.
I really like your videos, it's so interesting to get different perspectives on the UK
Really appreciate your views and sharing, particularly as I'm an ex pat and miss seeing England.
Loved the info, The fog and those narrow roads at 60mph would scare me to death!!
Nice video, I look forward to seeing more of your comparisons. Welcome to Britain.
Thanks. We are identifying differences daily.
I’ve been really enjoying your videos but after seeing this one I think you live pretty close to me (Peterborough). I’m really impressed that you have made an effort to visit out of the way places rather than just London. Thanks for the videos, I look forward to more of them.
Good video nicely explained . What I really like about roundabouts is if they are used properly then they are often quicker than a junction .
My partner agrees, why get stuck at traffic lights?
Statistically speaking traffic light controlled junctions have more accidents per year in the US than uk roundabouts and on average all uk roundabouts combined have nearly x2 the traffic flow of the us traffic light junction per year.
Nice to have you here
Glad you are over this side of the pond - welcome. I would love to have your opinion of the much-loved Magic Roundabout in Swindon.
I am looking to make it to that roundabout.
@@MacandBlair combine it with a trip to Avebury, largest European stone circle, for more old stonework, magically atmospheric in each season. Then Silbury Hill. It's the largest prehistoric man made mound in Europe.
Many of those country roads and lanes were created as tracks that cows and bullocks trod hundreds or even thousands of years ago. The straight roads often modernised (obviously) were originally Roman roads. I saw several passing places on that country lane that you showed where you pull in to let another driver pass by. Always interesting to get a different perspective. I have driven through out Europe too and extensively in the US. Your snow blizzards are terrible to drive in just like UK fog! Hope you enjoy your stay here.
Welcome to our wonderful country. I hope you fall in love with it!
Am I allowed to point out that it is the Traffic signs in the USA that are different. Most of the world use the same sign layouts, colours and meanings as does the UK.
Enjoy living in the UK but always have an umbrella handy.
Republic of Ireland drives on the left, but has a weird mix of American style and European style road signs. Also unlike the UK all their signage is metric.
You could also add a bit about the difference in the length of day between summer and winter, especially as you go further north . It is 10.00pm here just now but the sky is still light. Contrast with winter when it can be dark by 3.00pm
Christine, I am just now experiencing the vast difference in day lengths. It is so strange to see daylight at 10 PM.
Great vid…..settle-in and have a great time in UK👍🏻You never know, one day you might settle here….many Americans do. One of my friends came over here from NYC years ago on an extended holiday, armed with all his family history papers, determined to to look-up where his ancestors came from. He found the village in Surrey, just south of London, and his ancestor’s entries the local records office and church from 1820 or so. He fell in love with the place and now lives just a few miles from there with his English wife!👍🏻Life has come a full circle😀
We moved to the UK 6 months ago Welcome , hope you are enjoying it :)
So far it is going really well. Much more peaceful than the US.
General rules for signs are, circular ones TELL you to either do something, or don't. Triangles WARN you, octagons (only is 1) TELL you to stop, others are advisory and information. Speed limits are varied by class of vehicle.
I advise anyone nervous about driving to have a lesson or 2 from a driving school, it's easy. Or get yourself a set of "P" plates, these are for new drivers and everyone gives them a wide berth cos you just don't know what to expect
It's octagonal so you can tell it's a stop sign even if it's covered by snow.
Accompanied by a thick stop line and the word STOP in case the stop sign gets knocked down in an accident.
Proper belt and braces approach.
Welcome to the UK.. A very friendly country...
Great observational video, I'm looking forward to the next one, maybe turn down the music a bit though - especially when you are narrating?
Richard will do. I am still very new to making videos thanks for the advice.
Driving in US I could never work out when I could and couldn't turn right on a red light at traffic lights esp when there was no filter arrow. At least here a red light means stop in every circumstance and dont mention trucks they scared me to death, the speed they drive. In the UK they are limited in speed so are rarely overtaken by one on non motorway or dual carriageway roads.Have fun guys
Stop signs do mean stop... and that is good.
Well presented video.
You need to try driving up Hardknot pass in the lake district. When you reach the top you can't see the road for a few feet :) there's a roman fort to look at plus you can take the kids on the ravensglass railway, that will take you to the coast and main line
Whilst somewhat superficial, this is one of the best 'Americans driving in the UK/Europe' videos that I have seen. Even the most rigorous American driving test is far too easy! Yes, study the UK 'Highway Code' and its equivalent in Europe but also consider following online driving Instructors such as Ashley Neil or DGN. Ideally, book a some sessions with a local driving instructor.
Driving on the left in the UK I have also driven thousands of miles driving on the right in Europe in my 'right hand drive' British car. That makes it difficult to overtake on a 'two way road' unless you have a trustworthy and competent driver in the passenger seat. Conversely, driving in America in an 'automatic' LHD Ford Mustang was easy despite the total lack of discipline of American drivers.
Be very aware of setting off on the 'wrong side of the road'! On one occasion I parked on the left side of the road to vi sit a French restaurant, on leaving my wife had to remind me to move over to the right! Maybe place a big arrow on the dashboard pointing to the appropriate side and you will not kill an innocent British motorcyclist! Anne Sacoolas - face the music!
On the 'Freeway' (Motorway/Autobahn/Autostrada) or even a 'dual carriageway' you may think you are going fast at 90mph but there is likely a vehicle filling your mirror and overtaking you at 100/120 or even (in Germany) 160mh+!
Thanks for sharing.
Anne sacoolas should come back! Running away will never make that go away
@@michaelchannell404 She's scared of going to prison, and given the state of UK prisons I have some sympathy with her on that count. Of course we should have prisons fit for people to live in, but that requires money and initiative.
Lovely family. Be Well, Stay Well ❤
We just moved to the Birmingham area. I find driving quite daunting, and I get honked at daily 😁. Thanks for the videos!
The first video on TH-cam I’ve seen of where I live. Alconbury is a nice little village, I lived there for a few years. I live just outside st ives now. 👍
Used to live in Sawtry just up the road been a while now through still missing the big skies
I can think of several UK drivers who should watch and learn how to drive in the UK from your video.
Also worth noting if it's not already been mentioned regarding #4, if you're driving on a single track road (especially so in Scotland) and have someone behind you looking to pass, it's common courtesy to pull into a passing place to let them go in front of you.
I have to agree with comments on the spatial awareness, as it is second nature to me to drive down a narrow road, quite often a road marked 60mph will get cars doing 60mph on them but to either learner's, new drivers or older people they may be a bit more slow and steady.
You guys are making me homesick! We lived there for 9 years and my kids were born there!
Hi As you are in Central England may I suggest you pop along to Stratford upon Avon to see the old cottages and houses preserved there from Dhakespeares day. I know when a recent novelist wrote a story about Shakespeare she found it very easy as all she had to do for her story set mainly in Stratford was to pop along to see the houses and was immediately transported back to the old times in the Birthplace buildings
You must the magic roundabout in Swindon just for the fun of it, it's crazy lol
You should check out the Magic Roundabout in Swindon.
I think they live closer to the one in Hemel
Hope you guys have a Good time here x
Try the magic roundabout in Swindon, its hard at first but works great 👍
Excellent helper.
Hi nice to meet you ,welcome to the UK hope you will be happy here and make it your permanent home 🏡 😊
Looks like you are driving in my part of the world, I recognised most of the roads on this post, take care Americans always seen to struggle on those little Fen roads.
I try to avoid the smaller roads.
@@MacandBlair they are beautiful but potentially lethal, the combined potential speed is much higher than on motorways
@@MacandBlair When you get a bit more acclimatised to the driving, it can be worth heading off on the lanes as you can come across some lovely little villages. When I have visitors from the US, Canada and Australia I always "scare" them by taking them cross country to a favourite pub. A lot of local people are scared by the lanes to my house, with its dry stone walls! There's a village nearby where the road and the stream share the same space. It's really beautiful.
@@willrichardson519 Just because the speed limit is notionally unrestricted doesn't mean you can drive dangerously.
@@Lily-Bravo There are no unrestricted roads in the UK. It actually means 60mph (or 70mph on a divided highway) and has done for decades. Now the Isle of Mann does have some genuinely unrestricted speed limit roads, not that you can go particularly fast on them given they're just country roads.
Looking at the signs you're near us in Cambridge, which I recommend visiting if you haven't 👍🏻
Good video.
Just to say, if you are entering a large roundabout (two lane wide)-to stop accident.
If you are going left(indicating left) or straight on, stay on the left side of the road.
If you are turning right, STAY on the right side of the road whilst indicating right, remaining on the right side as you enter and turning on the roundabout then after 12o'clock of the roundabout, ease the car to the left as you go round to the exit of the roundabout, indicating left (to others coming on to the roundabout that you are exiting there). Of course this is for general roundabout. Sometimes there are signs approaching a roundabout of which lanes you should be on.
Please stay in lane whilst on a roundabout, Especially turning right. Use indicators.
I'm from the old school but alas with saying all this, the UK is becoming lazy with drivers not using their indicators to indicate their intentions.
Love this. Of course, on country lanes (the narrow ones with passing places), it is not unusual to find yourself stuck due to other hazards ..... well, okay, it might be unusual to find a cow in the centre of the road, refusing to budge, so that one has to just switch off the engine and wait!!! 😆😆😆😆 Yes, this happened to us in North Yorkshire, once. We still laugh about it!
We have a common nearby where the cows and some ponies are let out in Spring through to Autumn. There is a 40mph limit but the cows have priority. There are several different breeds and they seem to keep together in herds. There is also a golf course and kite flying goes on as well.
I was a passenger in the car, giving my son some driving practise before his test ,when we found ourselves facing a flock of sheep. .I was most impressed with the way he didn`t panic ,just switched off and waited, he was quietly gratified to receive a salute of thanks from the drover.
There is a Somerset story about two drivers passing each other in a narrow lane. As they passed the driver in one car wound down the window and yelled "pig". The other driver replied "cow" and drove off round the bend - straight into a large porker!
Welcome to the UK. I'm not far from where you are. We recently moved from London to North Milton Keynes (ha ha not far by your standards), which is not too far from Kettering. There tends to be so much more roundabouts up this way, but they're easy once you get used to them.
Welcome to the UK. Reading the Highway Code enables to establish the fundamental rules so this is good. Well done. I think the police will always think 'safety first' so adopt that view point when out. Liked.
Congratulations on your brave move..God bless! New subscriber
Thanks Diana
Six exits is not the limit for roundabouts, I know of one with seven and there is no legal limit. It's just a matter of size and complexity, there is less need for roundabouts with many exits,
You should try the "magic roundabout" in Swindon!!
That roundabout video, it might be the camera angle, but it sure seemed like you went all the way around (turned right) in the outside lane!
Great videos and thank you for being so polite about us, just one gripe…….please, oh please ditch the music. It’s far too loud and distracting, especially if one’s hearing is not so good.
Everyone look out for eachother on the roads, just take care
Nice to see that you took that time to learn to drive safely in the UK. Unlike the US diplomats wife that dove on the wrong side last year. Killed a teenager then went back to the US within 24 hours and refused to talk the the police or the boy's parents!
She should be arrested the minute she leaves the USA.
@@alastairgreen6783 It's a bit different than that. She was the wife of a diplomat. He had diplomatic immunity. But she didn't. He was just 16 riding a moped. She turn out of an RAF base where her husband worked for the US government onto the wrong side of the road and hit him face on. He died there and then! She went to the US embassy hiding. The UK police and his parents begged her to talk them. But she claim diplomatic immunity and went on the next flight to the USA. It was only when she was back in the US that the UK government found out that the diplomatic immunity was only for her husband and not for her. The UK Prime Minstser contacted the US President (Obama) for her to fly back and speak with the UK police and the boy's parents. But nothing!
@@sunseeker8457 Yes, you are almost correct but you name the wrong US President - a year ago it would have been Trumpy! And Harry Dunn was 19.
"19-year-old British man who died following a road traffic collision, on 27 August 2019"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Harry_Dunn
@@RiverMersey Shit. Yes your right. Thank you!
There is an International Warrant out for her,she dare not go outside US jurisdiction! Or be arrested !
I love your videos and welcome to the UK, but could make a suggestion to remove the music when commentating as it sometimes drowns you out.
Enjoy your stay !
Seems like a nice family , welcome to the UK. Ps double roundabouts still confuse me😂😂 lol.
Good video. How often do you post. I'd be interested to see more of what yo find different about the UK. You might want to turn down the music a bit - it makes it hard to hear your voices.
Thanks for the advice David. This was one of the first videos we ever recorded. But I am still working on getting the sound mix right. We try to post once a week.
Thanks 😊
Seems like you have adapted well.
Keep your eyes open as there are some double islands in the Midlands that are only slightly bigger then button islands.
Britain is the safest place to drive or ride in the world statistically speaking....Im slightly surprised by your vid, most visitors comment on the speed, (we drive quick) and the politeness in contrast to many countries....were pretty proud of being the best drivers in the world actually, so enjoy.
True, My Friend but that no longer applies in Inner London.
See what happens if you momentarily hesitate or fractionally slow down :)
@@Isleofskye More than half of the population of London was not born in the UK and that means a drop in driving standards has occurred - foreign drivers can drive on their own countries licences for 2 years before they need to take the British driving test, which is much tougher. I moved out to Essex where good driving manners and common courtesy are still to be found.
I could not agree more, my friend. The difference in courtesy and politeness and even friendliness between Kent, where I have lived on the border of with S E London since 1983 is amazing and has got wider apart even making allowances for the slightly slower pace. Around.2 years ago I returned to my old haunts and drove down a VERY wide road the wrong way. The reaction was incredible from 2 or 3 Guys, in particular. One Guy acted that I had violated his whole family and he was furious and yet 5 yards away from him ! 10 miles from Central London but a million miles in other ways.
I had the opposite experience driving overseas, when I should have been driving on the right. At a security gate I mistakenly drove though on the left. I pipped my horn at another vehicle coming towards me before I realised he was correct and I was wrong. Its embarrassing to say the least when that happens.
I live on the South Coast Portsmouth area near the sea, our weather is diffrent to what it's like in the Midlands and North England it's warmer and very humid here very rare we get snow if it does snow it stays no more then 2 days then it's gone. We have palms and grapes being grown here.
I look forward to making it down there...
@@MacandBlair if you like history portsmouth is the place, want to eat and shop go to Gunwharf Quays can sit out side overlooking the Harbour or shop around Nike shop or Addis shop Clarkes shoe shop great for cheaper kids shoes. Brighton is a fantastic place to visit like the palace pier and the lanes with the small shops of strange things! You go to Brighton watch where you park as some multi-storey car parks can be expensive or park on Madeira Drive near the pier out side.
@@MacandBlair you'd love it. admiral lord nelson's flagship, hms victory, is at portsmouth. wherein he died, winning the battle of trafalgar 1805. don't ask to see the engine room though. sorry, not being rude, but the guide told me that some americans do
@@daveupton8625 i think our maritime history is of more import than shoes shops
For American viewers, Some of the roads in the UK, like the A429 Fosseway, it's an old Roman road (check out Chedworth Roman villa, just off the a429 near Cirencester). If it's straight, chances are it's based on an old Roman road.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_roads_in_Britannia
I am 71 and have not seen a fog in years I think you are talking about mist, which is condensation or low clouds if you are high up
Welcome to the UK. Please stay and live well.
Great vid but the music was a tad intrusive and makes speech harder to distinguish as one ages. Your presentation is great and does not need music beneath it for me but I realise others may disagree. Cheers.
A couple of years ago, I took an American couple out for the day, en route a car collided with us, they were surprised by how polite we are and that I was more concerned for the safety and well being of the lady who drove into us ( she was having a very bad day) they said in the US it could get violent, but I am sure most people are the same the world over, I took them to the Tank museum, they loved it, and as a surprise, to a hidden village that their ancestors would have known, called Tyneham, I think they wanted to live their !!
I love your series, it is such a breath of fresh air. Your attitude is exemplary. My only comment would be to ditch the music. Your voices are enough. Do you like Marmite ?
I have turned down the music... in my newer videos... thanks. I have tried Marmite... not my favorite lol
Welcome
Never heard them called fog legs before, fog lamps, Yes, or did I miss hear ?
We do have narrow back roads, these were originally for horse & carts, where as American roads were built with the car in mind, and as you generally drive bigger cars, hence bigger roads.
Fog lamps.
And more space to build them.
Make sure you do not have fog lights still on when the fog disappears as that's an offence that can get you points on your licence,
Its not really a Fog. I would say mist. Mostly in rural areas with damp on the fields and changing temperatures. Sometimes there will be an heavy mist over the fields about 8 to 12 ft high, While everywhere else is clear. Looks pretty cool i think.
It is unique.
There's also the 7 roundabout ring.
When I (British person) lived in Heidelberg Germany I and my German friends found the Americans very polite drivers. xo
from where you’re driving in the video I’m guessing you work on the Alconbury U.S base, I live not far from there and worked on the building site on the RAF base
If you like roundabouts, go visit the "magic roundabout"in Milton Keynes :-)
I will look that one up.
@@MacandBlair Although the Magic Roundabout is in Swindon, Milton Keynes is famed for its roundabouts: When MK was built in the late 1960s, all main junctions were made rbts, as they are safer and can handle more traffic.
Looks like you're living somewhere near to me.
If you've not visited Stamford yet, you should - it's a small market town full of history. If you ever decide to check it out, let me know, and I'll give you a tour of our beautiful town - maybe make you some homemade (as opposed to 'pub grub' Sunday Lunch.
Gillian, thank you
Welcome to the UK ..i understood what you said about double roundabouts ,but i think your target market ie fellow americand will not have a clue what you meant lol..With the dirt tracks lol you will notice on your video pot holed part with no grass at the edge ,those are where you can pull in to let others by ..Weather wise ..if you want 4 seasons in 1 day try scotland !!! Or don't you know about Colorado ??? lol..Hope you are enjoying it here