Actually, this "hook turn" sign only appears in Melbourne's downtown area. Because of the trams that are used here, the city worked to provide a safe option for people to turn right (across traffic here because in Australia you drive on the left) and keep the road clear for trams and oncoming traffic. So you must wait on the side of the road for the light to turn red and then you turn as fast as you can to get out of the way of the traffic whose light just turned green and are now racing toward you. I won't tell you who, but one of us didn't turn to the guidebook (there really is one) when we first moved here to find out how to perform the hook turn and he/she couldn't understand why so many people were honking.
2 comments:
The first time, we thought John had lost all his expert driving skills, after having lived through the experience we can honestly say he, John got us through the intersection with only elevated blood pressure, shallow breathing and muscle cramps in eyelids from keeping them closed so tightly.
The second time, and somewhat more used to the adrenaline rush, John got a thumbs up and a "good job dad" from those of us in the car. To have mastered all that is required driving down under, I am happy and grateful to see them all return to the USA "practically prefect in every way."
I read about this in our Lonely Planet guide book. Hilarious!
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