Driving and Priority to the Right

[UglySister]

Do you have this where you are?

I know it is the case in a few European countries. For those that don´t know, when driving along even a main road, unless indicated otherwise, you have to give way to all traffic coming out of a side street. A frind of mine, living in France for more than 10 years, has only just found out about this rule! Fortunately, nobody was hurt!

i thought they had stopped this?

I think it´s still valid in France, Austria and Belgium...

Definitely still applies in France. A friend recently took his driving test and confirmed it. There is a road sign with a kind of diamond on its side that means that you don't have to observe the priority to the right for particular junction.

Whether people actually drive that way seems to depend on age. Older guys (wearing hats) seem to pull out without even looking on the basis that they have priority. Younger people do show some caution especially when they are on a really little road.

But since you don't know who's round the corner, you have to work on the basis that someone might just pull out.

Definitely in Belgium and can apply on some major roads. We have a lovely book called "Driving in Belgium" which says that if you are pulling onto a road from the right and someone is coming along the main road it is of no concern to you what his intentions are as you have priority.
So in other words, don't look, just pull out!

It seems to be less common in France as they have (sensibly) designated most major roads as "priority" and have "stop" and "give way" signs.

I don't remember it being the rule in Austria (except on small roundabouts and as there was one on my road I had several near misses there - giving way when you are on the roundabout - FFS!)

Hi MrsSchadenfreude, just seen your posts... well I failed to give way on roundabouts in Austria for YEARS, I´m amazed I´ve got to be so old!

still have it in switzerland. pain in the arse. mainly in small towns, but a couple of scary junctions in Zürich. what's wrong with give way lines ffs

In Austria you still have to give way to the right, except that a fair number of the the side streets now have stop signs. Having said that there are still a few very strange junctions that you are just not sure about unless you are a local.

You don't give way to the right on roundabouts though i.e. same as UK (but the other way round IYSWIM)

Yes - it's priority from the right here in Hungary as well. And they are fairly aggressive drivers too.

Its valid in Switzerland on some roads but its usually/sometimes clearlyish marked. I had been driving here for about a year before someone told me about it !

Ernest - are you in Switzerland? Where?

Doesn't seem to apply in Germany (although I don't drive so my only experience is as a passenger). Germany has a lot of traffic lights and priority seems, as far as I can tell, to be an issue of the 'mainness' or 'minorness' of the road.

Can't really comment about Germany But YES In France - and Belgium and Switzerland - you have to give way to cars coming from your right unless a sign before states otherwise - usually a main rood.
TBH, the major problem will be in town centres were you have to be VERY carefull with roads on your right and at some junctions - The same rule still applies.
I have been living in the UK for 7 years now - I am french - and I am still carefull about it here even if it doesn't apply !
When I am driving soemwhere in Europe, I actually suppose that this rule apply whatever the country.

hi leogaela, yup, in ZH. You too

Ernest, just outside Zürich - In October we moved to a small village (Arni) near Birmensdorf just over the border in Aargau, but I work in Zurich.

Where are you?
How long have you been here for?

wow only about half an hour from you, you nearish Dietikon? I'm there all the time, and Glattzentrum wallisellen

yes, we are not very far from Dietikon. Have you been to the swimming pool there? They have a great outdoor one. Its a bit of a drag to get to Glattzentrum on the motorway so I don't go there very often. Usually shop for clothes in Zürich in my lunch hours.

How amyn and how old are your children? I have one ds 16 months.

I got 3, aged 2, 5 & 6. Older 2 in KG. I rarley go into Zürich - not so much fun with 3 bored & uncooperative helpers in tow. Do you work full time?

I work 3 days, Tues, Wed, Thurs. You?
Do they go to the Swiss KG?
Shall I CAT you my email address? I can email you off line and see if we are interested in meeting up.

Yes, cat me if you like.