Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Other Local Resorts & Areas => Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum => Topic started by: spencer family on August 15, 2008, 09:43:01 AM
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Hi everyone we are coming to Fethiye on Monday and are hiring a car for a few days I saw a post on the forum with road signs etc can someone point me in the right direction please! Have never drove in Turkey before so am a bit apprehensive any tips would be welcome!! :)
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Road signs very similar to uk. Remember speed limits are in KPH, if you hire a van derivitive such as a Fiat Doblo, the max speed limit is 80KPH. Remember to drive on the right:D The main thing to remember is to always expect the unexpected from other drivers. They will come out of side roads and look after they have come out, they will jump red lights, so if yours is on green just have a quick look to your left before you move off. At night some of the traffic lights will flash either red or amber, you treat these as you can go through but with caution, if your lights are flashing red you must give way to others coming through across you. On roundabouts you must give way to those entering the roundabout.
You will get motorbikes, and sometimes cars, coming at you on the wrong side of the road. They are usually going to turn down a side road, or have just come out of one, they will avoid you but it is a bit of a shock when it first happens.
Expect to see some 'wonderful' sights such as 4 or even 5 people on one scooter.
If you have an accident, even a small bump, you must leave tha cars where they are and call the Police/Jandarme.
There is far less traffic here than in the UK so no traffic jams to worry about.
After a short while you will get used to the driving conditions here, we quite enjoy driving over here. Just be road wise and observant and you will enjoy driving here, trust me I'm a ........?:D
Hope this helps and I am sure others over here will add anything I have missed.
Eric
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Unfortunately Eric forgot to mention the kamikazi dogs.......have one foot hovering over the brake at all times :D
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Thanks Eric, will take your advice on board 8)
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One other tip - if you are on a busy main road and wanting to turn LEFT, unless there is no traffic behind you pull into the right (side of the road) and indicate left. Then turn when both lanes are clear. Pulling to the middle of the road indicating left is not appreciated and often not expected, so you may end up with another car in your boot.
The upside is that while you will see many crazy manouevers, there is no road rage here, so if you need to drive along at 10mph for a while, nobody cares, they just go round you.
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Do ensure you have your driving licence with you, plus the car's rental/insurance details from the provider. Any failure to carry means a fine as a minimum. Do not forget the drink/drive levels, they are LOWER than UK levels.
I am sure you will get the hang of things and fully enjoy the sights and scenery, not to mentions the herd of goats coming towards you in the fast lane. 8)
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Do make sure that the horns working & press it at least every ten to fifteen seconds. Or you may be arrested or something.
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when you hire the car,do the car hire firms need the new identity english licence or will they still accept the old one
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Beware of speed trap- they do exist out there
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The old paper licence works ok.
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Also make sure you have your passport with you as well as your driving license.
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If you believe in a God, talk to him just before you turn your ignition......
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Never needed a passport for driving and in fact my passport is stashed away somewhere I never know about.
Expecting the unexpected
Pay particular attention to all of the following which are common in Istanbul & Ankara as well as other parts of the country: Apart from driving on the wrong side of the road there are a couple of other things you should know.
* Passing on the right and cutting in front of other vehicles from the right side
* Pulling over to the right and letting vehicles pass before turning left
* Unexpected stops or turns without signaling, for no apparent reason.
* Stopping in unexpected locations to pick up or let off passengers by cars, buses and trucks, including main highway entrance ramps, intersections, and along major highways
* Pedestrians seemingly completely oblivious to oncoming traffic who continue to walk or run in front of vehicles to cross streets and main highways
* Trucks parked on the highway at night without lights rather than on the side of the road
* Disabled vehicles parked without warning signs
* Inattentive drivers
* Unskilled drivers
* Taxis and other vehicles with bad brakes
* Unexpected lane changes and stops by taxis, mini-buses (dolmus) and city buses
* Tractors, horse carts and farm vehicles traveling without lights at slow speed on highways
* In the countryside, the use of stones or tree branches rather than warning signs to mark accidents, breakdowns, and road work
* During rainstorms, accidents increase dramatically because of oil on the road surface
* Road surfaces that are much smoother and provide less traction than normal
* Vehicles backing up (in reverse) on exit ramps and on main highways
* Animals on highways
* In the countryside, watch for herds of sheep, goats and other animals on roads
* Drivers who tend to drive in the middle of the road, making it difficult to overtake them (do NOT overtake on the right, even if there is room to do so)
* Drivers that overtake on blind curves
* People stopping in the middle of the road to have a chat with Starman
* At night, cars without lights or lights missing
* Oncoming drivers who flash their headlights whether you have your "brights" on or not
* Tire-shredding potholes
* Tailgating drivers (i.e., drivers following too closely)
* Drivers that attempt to pass you while you are passing another vehicle
* Unmarked intersections (i.e., no stop signs), primary road has right of way, but proceed with caution
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Thats Birmingham sorted what about driving in Turkey
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Thanks Eric really helpful mate. Coming out next week to do some sanding and painting with my lad and might yet hire a car.
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Dear Spencer family,ref your query as to driving in Turkey,if you value your family,and your sanity,do'nt. :)
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Geordieboy.
Its reall no problem. If you do what starman mentions. Iv'e driven there for ten years, had an eight year break and then did it again for the month of May. Easy .
LOL
Steve
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Another tip is to know that when you hire a car there will be no petrol in it. Unlike car hire in the U.K. when you get a full tank of fuel and return it with a full tank, in Turkey you get an empty tank and have to sweat it out looking for a garage immediately. We often wonder what happens to the fuel in cars returned to the Hire Car Agencies after hire. We know that we cannot manage to empty the tank and often return it one quarter full, but we have yet to get a car that did not have the needle on Empty!!
Jacqui.
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They probably syphon it off.