arwalden
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Thu Sep-11-03 12:49 PM
Original message |
| A Question About U.K. Automobiles... |
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Edited on Thu Sep-11-03 01:01 PM by arwalden
We all know that you guys in the U.K. drive on the "wrong" side of the road---but I've always wondered...
If the steering wheel is on the right, is the position of the brake and accelerator and clutch also reversed? Or is that a standard configuration that remains the same no matter which side the steering wheel is on?
No special reason for asking. Just wondering.
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| muriel_volestrangler
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Thu Sep-11-03 01:00 PM
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| 1. Brake etc stay the same |
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Gear stick is still in the middle of the car, of course, so a manual transmission could take a little getting used to. What feels weird for a Brit driving an American stick shift is leaving my left hand controlling the wheel while changing gear.
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| arwalden
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Thu Sep-11-03 01:02 PM
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| 2. I Was Thinking It Would Be WEIRD Changing Gears With My LEFT Hand... |
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... since it's so natural to use my right hand.
Thanks very much for the reply and the information!!
-- Allen
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| Skittles
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Thu Sep-11-03 01:39 PM
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like you are not a switch hitter with your hands and knobs. :evilgrin:
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| arwalden
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Thu Sep-11-03 01:45 PM
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I'm not sure I know how to reply to that! For once... I'm at a loss for words. ;-)
-- Allen
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| trof
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Thu Sep-11-03 01:03 PM
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| 3. Unless you roll inverted |
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and then it all changes.
;-)
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| rjbcar27
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Thu Sep-11-03 01:40 PM
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| 5. What an odd question mate! |
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Why would you think the rest of the controls would be reversed? :-)
Come over mate and drive mine, it's easy and you'll get to learn how roundabouts work.
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| mr blur
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Thu Sep-11-03 02:49 PM
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First time I drove in the US I had to go for MILES before I could turn round. Which was probably just dumb of me but roundabouts are just such a smart thing. Mind you , most people have no idea of how to use one, but...
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| pippin
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Thu Sep-11-03 07:34 PM
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| 8. actually being on the "wrong side" goes back |
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Actually keeping to the "wrong side" of the road as in U.K. goes back to Roman times when the legions marched along the "wrong side" so that their sword arms were free.
Had they marched on the right side they would not have had their sword arms ready to draw quickly if they were on the road and attacked by oncoming enemies.
Just a histroical footnote.
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| arwalden
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Thu Sep-11-03 07:48 PM
Response to Reply #8 |
| 9. So what caused the switching of sides in North America? |
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Passive-aggressive rebellion?
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