How hard (for an American) to drive in Yorkshire?
May 3rd, 2016, 01:45 AM
#21
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I wrote "co-pilot", not backseat driver!
GPS devices are a mixed blessing. Sometimes they tempt you to take your eyes off the road when you should be watching the traffic. Occasionally they will lead you down a "road" that becomes impassible. If you program in the wrong destination you can end up miles off your target. A helpful co-pilot with a good paper map is often better.
By coincidence, I have been programming my GPS this morning for a trip this afternoon to the other side of the county to a place I haven't visited for years. I will probably ignore the Garmin (as I usually do) and take the route I prefer.
GPS devices are a mixed blessing. Sometimes they tempt you to take your eyes off the road when you should be watching the traffic. Occasionally they will lead you down a "road" that becomes impassible. If you program in the wrong destination you can end up miles off your target. A helpful co-pilot with a good paper map is often better.
By coincidence, I have been programming my GPS this morning for a trip this afternoon to the other side of the county to a place I haven't visited for years. I will probably ignore the Garmin (as I usually do) and take the route I prefer.
May 3rd, 2016, 01:52 AM
#22
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I understand what you are saying about GPS but at the end of the day, we have found that even if the TomTom isn't 100% accurate, the drive is significantly less stressful than navigating old school with a map. (That being said, I do love road atlases)
If you're dumb enough to put in the wrong destination and not do a sanity check of the route before driving (protip: always try to navigate by post code instead of city/town) then you're probably going to have difficulty with a map.
If you're dumb enough to put in the wrong destination and not do a sanity check of the route before driving (protip: always try to navigate by post code instead of city/town) then you're probably going to have difficulty with a map.
May 3rd, 2016, 02:36 AM
#23
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You mean like this coach driver?
http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...rong-la-plagne
Remember, we are talking about visitors who are unfamiliar with place names, post codes, etc. Even professional drivers make mistakes, and it's unfair to call someone "dumb" when they do.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...rong-la-plagne
Remember, we are talking about visitors who are unfamiliar with place names, post codes, etc. Even professional drivers make mistakes, and it's unfair to call someone "dumb" when they do.
May 3rd, 2016, 02:40 AM
#24
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The coach driver was a dumbass. As a "trained" "professional" he should have known better.
Am I really the only one in the world that actually double checks (and sometimes rechecks the double check or gets a companion to verify my entry)? Taking an extra 30 seconds can save hours.
Don't be a dumbass: be sure of your destination address before setting out.
Am I really the only one in the world that actually double checks (and sometimes rechecks the double check or gets a companion to verify my entry)? Taking an extra 30 seconds can save hours.
Don't be a dumbass: be sure of your destination address before setting out.
May 3rd, 2016, 03:53 AM
#26
Here's my take on it: the driver is going to have to "learn" where the left front bumper is visually.
Make WIDE right-hand turns and TIGHT left-hand ones.
The inevitable "roundabout" is easier IF you remember that you can keep going around, and around, and around until you remember which "exit" to take.
I would PAY for an automatic shift unless you like shifting with your left hand.
Make WIDE right-hand turns and TIGHT left-hand ones.
The inevitable "roundabout" is easier IF you remember that you can keep going around, and around, and around until you remember which "exit" to take.
I would PAY for an automatic shift unless you like shifting with your left hand.
May 3rd, 2016, 04:10 AM
#28
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As a resident of the Yorkshire Dales I find driving on motorways or in towns far more stressful than the lanes and roads around my village!
Honestly, whilst it is good to be prepared I do think you are over thinking the 'narrow lanes' too much. The major routes through the Dales are largely NOT that narrow - after all they have lorries, caravans, delivery vans and buses going through them.
If you should find yourself on a very narrow lane then get your passenger to make a quick mental note of passing places (a gateway or drive) so that if you did meet something or someone then you know how far you have to reverse.
I would also ask you to pull over somewhere safe on any road if you found a queue forming behind you - this would be courteous driving to let others pass who clearly want to go faster than you.
One last thing to think about - literally thousands of people in England (us included, often towing our caravan) drive down to the Channel Ports each day driving on the left, cross the Channel and then immediately drive on the right (in a left hand drive car of course!)!
Honestly, whilst it is good to be prepared I do think you are over thinking the 'narrow lanes' too much. The major routes through the Dales are largely NOT that narrow - after all they have lorries, caravans, delivery vans and buses going through them.
If you should find yourself on a very narrow lane then get your passenger to make a quick mental note of passing places (a gateway or drive) so that if you did meet something or someone then you know how far you have to reverse.
I would also ask you to pull over somewhere safe on any road if you found a queue forming behind you - this would be courteous driving to let others pass who clearly want to go faster than you.
One last thing to think about - literally thousands of people in England (us included, often towing our caravan) drive down to the Channel Ports each day driving on the left, cross the Channel and then immediately drive on the right (in a left hand drive car of course!)!
May 3rd, 2016, 05:50 AM
#30
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ay up lad get thee over Buttertubs Pass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ap8nueIuLI (from 1.35min)
and get yourself acquainted with the Highway Code
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code
if you can put a man on the Moon you can drive in Yorkshire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ap8nueIuLI (from 1.35min)
and get yourself acquainted with the Highway Code
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code
if you can put a man on the Moon you can drive in Yorkshire.
May 3rd, 2016, 07:18 AM
#31
Lots of good info above -- and some not so much . . . 
I am confused how one could possibly go the wrong way around at a round about (unless it is the painted circle in the middle of the road teensy type) The road generally points you slightly in the right direction where it meets the circle.
I actually prefer a standard transmission (and I am totally useless with my left hand) Not only is a stick much cheaper, shifting w/ one's left hand is yet another mental cue that 'things are different' and helps one stay alert. I've seen more than one Yank go into sort of 'autopilot' and that is when it can get dicey. Having to shift helps keep them on their toes. And it isn't as if you are pulling someone off the line or street racing -- slow and gentle shifts are just fine.
One thing to keep in mind -- don't get upset when someone is 'tailgating' you. On narrow roads you will be driving slower than the locals -- that is just the way it is. Don't drive any faster than you are comfortable . . . but the driver behind you will overtake (pass) you at the first opportunity -- so will usually stay close so they don't have to make up so much ground in the short space they may have to overtake.
The only places I sometimes get it wrong (and this is rare) is in car parks (parking lots) where there are fewer visual cues as to where one should be.
I am confused how one could possibly go the wrong way around at a round about (unless it is the painted circle in the middle of the road teensy type) The road generally points you slightly in the right direction where it meets the circle.
I actually prefer a standard transmission (and I am totally useless with my left hand) Not only is a stick much cheaper, shifting w/ one's left hand is yet another mental cue that 'things are different' and helps one stay alert. I've seen more than one Yank go into sort of 'autopilot' and that is when it can get dicey. Having to shift helps keep them on their toes. And it isn't as if you are pulling someone off the line or street racing -- slow and gentle shifts are just fine.
One thing to keep in mind -- don't get upset when someone is 'tailgating' you. On narrow roads you will be driving slower than the locals -- that is just the way it is. Don't drive any faster than you are comfortable . . . but the driver behind you will overtake (pass) you at the first opportunity -- so will usually stay close so they don't have to make up so much ground in the short space they may have to overtake.
The only places I sometimes get it wrong (and this is rare) is in car parks (parking lots) where there are fewer visual cues as to where one should be.
May 3rd, 2016, 08:20 AM
#32
Rubicond and Morgana giving great advice above. I live north of Leeds and my MIL used to live in York. Generally you get around the narrow roads "right of way" by smiling a lot (not gurning) and waving but generally if the layout suggest the driver opposite will join the "main road" a micro second before you (if you were joining the main road) then they have right of way.
Staying in York is good as are stopping in Masham, Skipton and Ilkley though Masham has no train link. Each of these towns gives you good examples of yorkshire market town and double up as cake/tea shops, centres of walking.
The best walks are near the various abbeys with Fountains and Bolton standing out, but there are others.
Sheep, do get out of fields, you are meant to stop before you hit them, if they are adults, you leave them where they are and feel guilty, if they are lambs, you should stop, look for distressed looking ewes and pop them over the fence.
You may also find cows wandering free (best to avoid as the insurance is a bit tricky), horses being ridden, slow way down and overtake giving lots of room(but don't toot a hearty greeting), walkers and cyclists (give them a cars width to avoid).
Staying in York is good as are stopping in Masham, Skipton and Ilkley though Masham has no train link. Each of these towns gives you good examples of yorkshire market town and double up as cake/tea shops, centres of walking.
The best walks are near the various abbeys with Fountains and Bolton standing out, but there are others.
Sheep, do get out of fields, you are meant to stop before you hit them, if they are adults, you leave them where they are and feel guilty, if they are lambs, you should stop, look for distressed looking ewes and pop them over the fence.
You may also find cows wandering free (best to avoid as the insurance is a bit tricky), horses being ridden, slow way down and overtake giving lots of room(but don't toot a hearty greeting), walkers and cyclists (give them a cars width to avoid).
May 4th, 2016, 07:23 AM
#33
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A guide to driving in the UK (borrowed from TA):
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTo...n_England.html
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTo...n_England.html
May 4th, 2016, 12:07 PM
#34
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We used the town of Richmond as a base for exploring York. It has a nice central square with a castle, in a pretty setting.
I agree that taking the car back to York is a waste of time. Drive to the Manchester Airport, leave the car, and take a train into Manchester. Or if you're feeling braver, drop the car in Manchester.
I agree that taking the car back to York is a waste of time. Drive to the Manchester Airport, leave the car, and take a train into Manchester. Or if you're feeling braver, drop the car in Manchester.
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