h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Newbie; driving etiquette

Posted Jan 5, 2001

Well, here I am, first day on the job, as it were. Basically, I was looking at a number of entries on driving etiquette and I felt I just had to get my two cents in. Here were my thoughts:

If you're going to be driving in the Province of Ontario in Canada, if you wait at an intersection for a green light to turn right, generally people will honk at you. In the Province of Quebec, however, it is illegal to turn right on a red light, and people will therefore honk at you.

If you're going to be driving in the City of Montreal, Quebec, you should be aware that the position of the text on the overhead signs on the highways going into and out of Montreal has nothing to do with whether a particular exit or entry will be from the left or the right. Do not be fooled into changing lanes until you see the actual on- or off-ramp itself.

If you're going to be driving in the City of Toronto, Ontario, you should be aware that most of the downtown streets have two lanes only. This means you must be prepared for delivery trucks, taxis and friends giving friends a lift to stop dead in the right lane at any time. If you get stuck behind a stopped vehicle in the right lane, it will be some time before the left lane drivers let you in (if indeed any of them do voluntarily). Generally, driving in Toronto requires both courtesy and assertiveness.

Indigo S. signing off.

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Latest reply: Jan 5, 2001