[A typical country lane in Dorset, England. Note the lay-by on the right. Photo is mine]

THE ROADWAYS OF ENGLAND

The very first thing you need to know about British driving is that they drive on the left side of the road.! This knowledge can help to keep a casual road trip through Devonshire from becoming a fast trip to the local hospital.

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The highways and byways of England come in a wide variety of types. Check any Rand McNally or AA Guide and you will find the following listings (in one form or another):

The M roads. These are similar to American Interstates. Ex. “The M3 can take you out of London.” or “I-95 is the best way to Savannah, Georgia.”

The A roads. These are similar to a State route or something like that. Ex. “The A303 will take you to Bourton, Dorset.” or “Route 17c will take you to charming small towns like Owego, NY.”

The B roads. These are a bit narrower than the A roads but still resemble drives like a County road in America. Ex. “The B3092 will take you through Gillingham.” (A note: These, as well as many A roads have the sometimes notorious “Roundabouts” that vex so many Yanks and others from countries that drive in other ways that the Brits do.) or “Be careful on Turner’s road, there are tractors there.”

Lanes. These are very often lined with hedgerows that can scratch any arm that may be hanging out of the window. Or, if you find yourself motoring in Yorkshire, the stonewalls can scratch your rented Volvo if they put just one more layer of paint at the factory in Sweden. This type of roadway is the subject of this blog post.

Mixed Use. These can be used by farm vehicles, cars, bikes and Vespa scooters. Perhaps even a walker or two might be found on these paved ways.
Bridle Paths. You can hike on these, but you better watch your step.

Footpaths. Ramblers only.

? There are other byways, but I tend to avoid them. So no comment here.

THE HAND SIGNS COMMONLY USED ON THE LANES

So now we come to the central topic of this post. This begs the question: What is the proper way to pass an oncoming vehicle when you are driving down a charming country lane that is wide enough for 1 1/2 of said vehicle? I will try to make some sense of this delicate subject. Bear with me. This is not easy. But I have loads of experience in this area, so unless you get the chance to sit down with a proper Brit, I’m all you have.

Use your imagination. You’re driving along, say, on Bells Lane. The hedges are inches away from your left door (remember you’re driving on the left). Every so often, an ivy branch brushes against the left door. No problem. So far.

Suddenly you spy an oncoming Fiat. It’s heading straight toward you. There is only room for a car and a half. But you and your Volvo and the Fiat make two. What to do?

Fortunately, the British Highway Department is one step ahead of you. They’ve thought this thing through. They provide a pull-over lay-by every ten meters or so. Who slows first? Who pulls over and let’s the other person pass?

That’s where the legendary British etiquette comes in. Variations exist but a general guideline rules in these situations. The term is called “Whatever”.

Once the pass-by is nearly over, the drivers of the two vehicles usually acknowledge what has just transpired between these two moving objects that have found themselves in the same place at the same time in this very large world. It’s all a bit existential, really.

I have studied this issue in detail. I look. I observe. I make notes. And, here is what I have found:

#1—Do nothing. This usually means that the other driver is a bit annoyed at you (or you at them).

#2–One Finger Wave. This can be dicey. It can mean a slightly polite indication of the aforementioned passing event, or, it can mean something altogether different. The latter is very common in America. It can stem from mild road rage, or it can be an indication of a homicidal intention. Best to move to the next option.

#3–Four Finger Wave. (I rarely, if ever, have encountered a two finger wave or even the more rare three finger wave). This usually means: “All is okay, mate. Cheerio.”

#4–Five Finger Wave. “You’re doing very well, mate. Thanks tons.”

#5–The Full Palm Wave. “I think I love you. Call me.”

There you have it. Now you are ready to take on the Adventure of Driving in England. Your next step is to see a bank officer to take out a mortgage on your Grandma’s farm to pay for your rented Volvo.

Cheers mate!