Of Driving and other Frightful Pastimes

We are spoiled in Minnesota.  We may not realize it as we slog through construction and curse at other drivers, but we are spoiled.  We have roads.  With shoulders.  And ditches.  Roads that two cars fit abreast with room in the middle for a third if we liked (or a large piece of lumber).  In Scotland, that is not the case.  There are roads, mind you, but not like ours.  They have dual carriage ways and single carriage ways.  The dual carriage ways have a dotted line between you and the oncoming traffic.  The single carriage ways may or may not have room for two cars to pass each other, no dotted line and no shoulders.  They do have passing places which are small niches carved out of one side of the road or the other that should you meet another car coming toward you, you can slow down and smudge over a bit and the two of you can wave and pass each other.  Where there should be a shoulder, there is a crumbly bit of pavement that is edged in either foliage that has taken over a foot of the road, a small wet ditch about a foot deep, a cliff going down into a river gorge, or a stone fence.  The road may or may not be wide enough for two cars to pass and a car is headed your way.  No passing place, stone fence, and a car bearing your way.  I dare you not to panic.

Oh, and did I mention, locals drive these roads at 50 mph plus.  And they are curvy.  Very curvy.

Here is what I have discovered about driving in Scotland.  First, do not stare at the crumbled edge of pavement on your left, you will fall off the road.  Look out front like you normally do.  Second, the other drivers know if there is room or not to pass and they will clue you in.  Try to ignore the fact that it looks like your side mirrors are going to high five as you pass each other.  They wont.  If the motorist coming toward you is not worried, slowing down, or moving to the side, you can both pass each other with a bit of room to spare.  You can actually see this if someone is in front of you (extremely helpful).  If the other driver is slowing down, slow down yourself.  If he moves over, you move over if you can.  Sometimes you can't and it's on the other driver to make the space if they can.  If the passing place is on your side, it is your responsibility to judge oncoming traffic and use the passing place and wait for the other car to pass.  You can also stop on the road opposite a passing place and let the oncoming car veer around you in it.

Now that I see there is some rhythm to the roadway, I have had much more pleasant driving experiences.  At least on roads.  Once you get into town, the intersections are a whole other matter.