Driving tips for UK

Left turn- NO, only in california speeding laws enforced - Oh Yes speed cameras- Oh Yes- see answer above Useful tips- read up and obey the laws.

I've seen a lot of British folks make a left against the light into a one-way road. As you can in the U.S. if the states wants to get federal road money. Don't ask me why (or how much gas it saves), but it all came in with the 1970s fuel crunch.

Turning left against a red light is illegal in the UK. Speed cameras have multiplied in the last few years. Our friends and family are completely paranoid about them. Especially be as attentive in construction zones as you'll see the locals being.

Thanks, everyone. Is there anyway to anticipate where the cameras might be? Usually I just keep the same speed as everyone else on the road, but if they're already exceeding the speed limit, I don't want to get nailed. Any other hints about driving?

Don't drive in the bus lanes! Just got two camera tickets in the mail this week - ouch! There are cameras everywhere, but they usually have a road sign showing where they are. I stay within 10mph of the speed limit and (knock wood) haven't gotten a speeding ticket.

My Garmin GPS sounds a signal when there is a camera zone and another if I exceed the limit while in that zone. I tend to use the GPS a lot, even when I know the directions, just for that feature. So you might consider a GPS if you are concerned about missing the camera signs.

Its possible to match the numbers on the dashboard with the posted speed limit. Same number or less = no ticket. That way no matter what speed others are doing you will be right. Watch out for fast looking cars (taken off drug dealers) and Volvos, they may well be unmarked cars. Learn about the National Speed Limit, so when you see the derestricted sign you will know what speed that refers to, different on different types of roads.

Be aware that as a general rule, speed limits are not posted in Europe. All motorists are supposed to know the standard speed limits of the different road types, which are typically divided into: "Inside built up area", "outside built-up area" and "motorway". These also vary by country. You can only expect posted speed limits if the speed limit on a particular strech of road for some reason deviates from the standard speed limit.
I don't think any Western european country allows turns on red, except Germany, where a fixed green arrow sign placed at the intersection allows a rigt turn on green - a rule that they inherited from the former GDR.

Hi Gary, to answer your questions in the order you posed them: 1. You cannot go through a red light under ANY circumstances. 2. Speed limits are enforced and there are plenty of speed cameras in urban areas and accident hotspots. However they are well signposted and your Garmin/TomTom will make a beep when you approach a known location. REmember they make the signs & cameras very visible to get people to slow down rather than hide them to get money via fines. 3. Speed limts will be signposted but the default (i.e. the speed you should maintain unless there are explicit signs) would be 30mph in urban areas (think anywhere with street lighting) and 60mph on 'A' roads and 70mph on motorways. If you want the full info, here is a link to the UK Highway Code: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/Driversandriders/index.htm Enjoy.
Steve.

Just returned from the UK. No turns on red allowed. Lots of speed cameras everywhere, but big signs to warn you. Only problem I had was not knowing what the limit actually was..... you can go 100 miles without seeing the speed limit posted, so know them ahead of time.

"Only problem I had was not knowing what the limit actually was..... you can go 100 miles without seeing the speed limit posted, so know them ahead of time." - And that's because of the way standard speed limits work in Europe. There is a set of standard limits which apply to the different road types. Speed limits are only posted if the speed limit at a certain place deviates from this standard limit. This helps reducing the number of speed limit signs! In many countries it is actually illegal to put signs showing a speed limit which is equal to the standard speed limit (except at the border) since the speed limit sign actually means "local speed limit" or "a speed limit different from the standard speed limit".