I usually drive. My husband navigates. That’s our standard arrangement when we drive anywhere, and when we are on holiday – local and foreign.  I prefer driving as it gives me something to do. I get fidgety and bored, otherwise.

It was no different during our last holiday. We picked up a rental from the car hire company. My husband drove it for a few days in suburbia. I took over when we went for our holiday to Devon from Kent – about 360 km. Driving in England is like driving in Malaysia, mostly. That is, we drive on the left side of the road also known as left-hand traffic. The steering wheel and various controls for signals, lights and wipers are located on the right side of the car.

As an aside, 75 countries and territories use left-hand traffic while right-hand traffic is followed in 165 countries and territories. The left-hand traffic users are mostly countries that were British colonies and/or are British Overseas Territories. So where did this practice come from? Apparently, back in the day when knights and sword fighters reigned, right-handed swordsmen preferred to keep to the ‘left side of the road’ so they could easily use their right hand to wield their sword to an approaching opponent. Also, to easily mount from the left side, and dismount from the right side of the horse[1]. Hmm…

Back to driving. I drive an automatic. I think many do in Malaysia. I find it easier for city driving and stop-start situations. So, automatically, whenever we do car rentals, we tick the auto box only to be lumbered with long estates/station wagons and sedans/saloons. My husband and I knew that car hire companies in England and especially in and around the Dartford area in Kent offered a better selection of manual transmission vehicles.

We resisted for a long time but finally caved. Better a manual SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) that we’d rather drive than a hearse like automatic estate/wagon that we loathed the sight of and was a nightmare to park. SUVs are our preferred choice for three reasons. Being vertically-challenged, the higher seats give me better visibility – I feel like I’m in more control of the car and situation (in my head, probably, but it doesn’t matter), slightly spacious boot space for our bags etc., and better looking. 

Having not driven a clutch-gear combo in over 4 years, I resorted to muscle memory. I remembered, forgot, remembered to depress clutch and engage the appropriate gear particularly at traffic lights and roundabouts. Engine died. Small panic. Calm returned. Engine on. Stepped on clutch. Engaged gear. All good. Thankfully, I remembered more that I forgot.

In England, there are motorways, A-roads, B and C-roads. I’m good on motorways, A, B and C but not so on D-roads. Driving on motorways is not a problem. Same with A-roads but for the varying speed limits of between 20mph and 70mph. I mind a little only because of how quickly the speed limit fluctuates. For instance, I accelerate to 70 mph, barely remain at that speed, then decelerate to 50mph or come to an almost standstill at 20mph depending on where I am on the A-road – dual-carriage, hazardous corner or a school or housing estate. What is A-roads? They are major roads between regional towns and cities. Also called ‘trunk’ roads, they comprise single and dual-carriageway roads in rural and urban areas. We have ‘trunk’ roads at home.

I also like the B and C-roads that connect small towns and villages. Classed as minor roads, they sometimes offer an alternate route to major roads that may be more scenic or have interesting sites. B and C-roads make up over 87% of total road length in the UK with over a whopping 200,000 miles or 321,870 km of minor roads across the country. These roads only ever have a single carriageway. Most often, there are two lanes, with cars able to pass each other[2]. No problem.  We have B and C-type roads at home.

But, some minor B and C-roads have only one lane, with passing places to allow cars travelling in opposite directions to pass. Problem. Those are my D-roads. The dangerously no-space to manoeuvre roads. I don’t think we have D-roads at home. I’ve never liked them even when I was/am not at the wheel. D-roads give me stress. I’m on high alert. My neck cranes. Looking, staring and trying to anticipate on-coming vehicles. Made more difficult this time as the hedges were too tall in June. I felt hemmed in. Apparently, hedge cutting is avoided from March to August as it’s the main breeding season for nesting birds. Reasonable reason.

I reversed, squeezed the SUV into spaces that weren’t there and tested the brake a few times. Retrospectively, it was quite exciting but I’d still rather steer clear of D-roads.