‘Students in Turangi fatal named’

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10805383

What struck me was the apparent cluelessness of police, with regard to the cause. Everyone who has driven for the first time in the opposite traffic, and in a local car, knows about one’s tendency to keep too close to the curbside. They should have warned these students before the trip, advising them to always align near the *centreline*. That way, their chance of survival would have been much better.

I have noticed in some countries even things like RADIO RECEIVERS are handed. There are some radio receivers (for domestic AM/MW and FM radio) that tune from the low frequencies on the right to the higher frequencies on the left, where I understand the general contemporary convention is “from left to right”.

In the southern hemisphere water gurgles down the plughole CLOCKWISE (i.e. from Left To Right), and in the north of the plant its from Right to Left ! Maybe this presents a guide to many things in the Southern Hemisphere. All except for the Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries of South America. At least people in the Falkland Islands drive on the correct side of the road.

W tend to light candles from left to right here, perheps even that is in reverse in continental europe and the USA.

Great site !

In Japan some top-end prestige cars are only imported as LHD, such as the AMG or M models, Ferraris and American cars. However, I’d dispute that LHD are more expensive than RHD; the Maybach 57 and 62 were available in RHD or LHD in Japan and the RHD versions were some 2 million yen more expensive. It is odd to see LHD Rolls Royces and Jaguars, but that was outside the American Club in Tokyo.

As for pedestrian traffic in Japan, it is mostly on the left. However, in large railway stations at busy times it could be described as “tidal”. Witness Shinagawa Railway Station on a weekday morning and 95% of the foot traffic is heading East. To cross you either don’t bother, because there’s an entrance/exit on both sides or you consider it like crossing a fast-flowing river and curve your way across. A useful gesture is to put you hand out like you’re going to shake someone’s hand and bow slightly. This indicates your intention to cut across someone’s line. If you follow the tide, you can get from A to B. It won’t be the most direct route, but you’ll do it with minimal disruption to others. And without taking on a force of nature.