Photo by Yves Cedric Schulze on Unsplash

If you’ve been checking out our LinkedIn recently, you may have noticed a new series we’ve been posting called Roads Around the World. Each week, we post a video of traffic somewhere in the world and ask you to guess where it is. The videos are sourced from real footage we’ve shot to localize our training for over 125 countries.

Localizing footage is an important part of ensuring our content is relatable and impactful for our users. It’s also had an unintended effect: familiarizing the Alertdriving content team with unique driving differences in countries around the world. Here are a few of the most compelling traffic laws and driving norms we’ve come across.

The Australian Hook Turn

In a few intersections in Victoria, where signs are posted, drivers actually have to get into the far left lane in order to turn right. It’s called a “hook turn” and despite looking scary, it actually makes a lot of sense.

Because Australians drive on the left side of the road, a hook turn starts in the left-most lane. The driver pulls into the intersection and moves over as far to the left as possible, stopping clear of any pedestrian crossings or bike lanes. This allows traffic in the lanes traveling the same direction to proceed past. The driver should then signal right. Once the light for the street they want to turn onto is green, the driver completes the turn and the traffic behind them follows in turn.

These hook turns are mandated at a few specific intersections because of Melbourne’s elaborate tram system. If a driver were in the right lane trying to turn right, they would hold up the tram line and cause delays, so these streets use signage and specially painted road markings to show turning cars where to stop and wait inside the intersection. It’s akin to the common practice on North American streets of having a short lane immediately preceding an intersection dedicated to turning traffic, so the whole lane isn’t being held up.

The German Rettungsgasse

In Germany, Austria, and a few other European countries, drivers are required to move over in slow-moving traffic to leave a pathway empty in case an emergency vehicle comes by. Yes – just in case. It’s not a quick scramble to move out of the way when the emergency responders are already trying to get through, it’s a completely clear path through the middle of slow-moving traffic reserved just for the possibility of emergency response.

In German, this emergency access lane is called a “Rettungsgasse” and, besides being the law, it relies on the courtesy of drivers to not only form the lane but respect it once it’s in place. A few selfish drivers could ruin the system and block up the free lane, but a recognition of the importance of a rescue lane, and the threat of steep fines and potential investigations for violators, have made the Rettungsgasse successful.

The French Safety Kit

In France, drivers are legally mandated to carry two key safety items in their vehicles at all times. The first is a reflective safety vest that must be stored within reach. Drivers are expected to put it on before exiting their vehicle in the event of a breakdown or collision. This helps keep them visible and safe while on the side of the road.

Drivers are also required to have a warning triangle in their vehicle. In the event of a breakdown, collision, or other emergency stop, they need to place the warning triangle behind their vehicle at a sufficient distance. This helps alert other drivers to a stopped vehicle ahead.

It can be difficult to know all the rules of the road. Some places have complex and unique laws and signs that you may have never seen before. It’s even more difficult to know what is common courtesy in all driving scenarios. The most important thing to remember behind the wheel is to be predictable, be visible, and be safe.

Sources:

https://www.racv.com.au/royalauto/transport/vic-road-rule-guides/what-are-hook-turns-how-to-do-one.html

https://autos.yahoo.com/policy-and-environment/articles/why-german-austrian-traffic-law-125612833.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAJB313RFniyq9lFUEmw430rdTncTkZnv8OyioLNy0a0ZVi5HLI79jT4-1FY2XJRM-drOVgUL4NR7-O4-n_p3Yfmc2LyJulNhFjolK3u1fRrRIsWfC2aBW5FQ1lFmdey6w8D-UuORBBI1plpkZwvLz5VOyAH1X-0-bfZbJTlLbCo

https://www.lifehammerproducts.com/en/blog/what-do-i-need-in-my-car-when-driving-through-france/