Topic: Right Hand Drive Vehicles

[Traum]

Over the summer here in Vancouver, I noticed that there are quite a few right hand drive vehicles running around on the streets. Most of them are R32 Skylines, although I've seen a few other Japanese cars and the ocassional MG Mini as well. Sometimes there is a passenger in the passenger seat (the left front seat, that is), but other times it's just the driver driving all by himself in the right front seat. The cars appear to have proper BC plates, so I can only assume that they are registered.

There is also at least one used car dealership here in Vancouver (on West 4th near Granville Island) that seems to specialize in these right hand drive vehicles.

I know people can import anything older than 15 years into the country and the cars don't have to go through emission and safety tests. But given the fact that our roads are designed for left hand drive cars, how can these right hand drive vehicles run rampant in the city?

-Rick

[The Mighty Duck]

I don't see much a safety issue with it.  Maybe if it's your first time driving a RHD, but once you're used to it, I'm sure it would be fine.  I mean, the key thing is being able to see in front/beside/behind, and you can do that in a RHD vehicle.  Some manouvers would take getting used to, but you grow into it.

In fact, I imagine it would be easier for some aspects of driving: cruising along streets filled with parked cars among them.  Parking, on the other hand...

[si]

Over the summer here in Vancouver, I noticed that there are quite a few right hand drive vehicles running around on the streets. Most of them are R32 Skylines, although I've seen a few other Japanese cars and the ocassional MG Mini as well. Sometimes there is a passenger in the passenger seat (the left front seat, that is), but other times it's just the driver driving all by himself in the right front seat. The cars appear to have proper BC plates, so I can only assume that they are registered.

There is also at least one used car dealership here in Vancouver (on West 4th near Granville Island) that seems to specialize in these right hand drive vehicles.

I know people can import anything older than 15 years into the country and the cars don't have to go through emission and safety tests. But given the fact that our roads are designed for left hand drive cars, how can these right hand drive vehicles run rampant in the city?

-Rick

Most of Europe, namely Brittain and France, as well as Hong Kong have an influx of right and left handed cars.  Obviously if the road is set up for one type, that type is safest.  But as long as these heterodrivers drive with caution I don't think it should be a big problem here.  

[Arthur Dent]

No issue with RHD  - just need to pass the normal safety. My old Reliant Scimitar was RHD.

[Traum]

My biggest concern is how the guy can ever see in a left turn at the intersection. With another vehicle waiting to turn left on the opposite side, vision is completely blocked for the right hand drive driver. He'd have to turn and stick his car out far enough to the left so that is his view is not blocked. But if he does that, there is a good chance that he woudln't be able to see an oncoming car and have the oncoming vehicle crash into him. At best, when he sticks out far enough, the front end of his car has moved into the oncoming traffic's lane, thereby obstructing traffic.

-Rick

[paulk]

A bigger worry I have with these RHD imports is that there's no verifiable mileage or collision/salvage history akin to CarFax.  Most of the imports have low mileage on the odometer, but is it accurate?

[articsteve]

I've seen a quite a few older Landrovers in right hand drive

Great for delivering mail in Rural Routes where the  mail goes in a box positioned 3 feet above the ground next to the road.

[Traum]

I think most of these imports come directly from Japan. As a city car in the tiny country, they don't travel all that far, and hence the low milage.

But you are absolutely correct about the car history though. There is no easy way to verify it, and that is something that would bother me a lot.

-Rick

[a4_tom]

For RHD driving in LHD nations, you have to take extra cautious when merging and left turn.

[barrie1]

Some of the Brand New Canada Post trucks in the London area are RHD. They just started buying them around a year ago for this area.  The drivers seems pleased with them I hear. 

[si]

Whenever you buy a car that has spent time out of province (even in Alberta), you take a risk on it's history.  The reason you see those RHD cars here is because somebody thought the desire was > the risk.  Personally, you might not have seen me defending RHD if Nissan had sold the Skyline series here.

[Arthur Dent]

and you can you stuff like 300ZX, MR2s, etc for way cheaper (about 1/2 the price in Alberta) from Japan. Places like importcorncern.ca import for you. Of course buying sight unseen is always a risk.

[blue]

      I Want one !! ( or two , lol )

   Have been dreaming about importing them ever since I laid my eyes on a Toyota 75 series , 4.2l turbo diesel , in Oz in the late 80's . What a machine . Anyway , have been following the growth of this industry here in Alberta , and have even notice a big 'run' on Hilux/Surf's lately . I personally think the big attraction , at least here , is about having the dependability of a well engineered and built vehicle , with the added bonus of having a very fuel efficent , torquey little diesel engine ( 30+ mpg ) . As for the RHD part , I do think that if the growth of this industry continues , some form of special licencing should be introduced to make sure the driver is capable of the small yet very important intricacies such as turning left into traffic or merging , as mentioned above . I know this from experience when a buddy and I bought a VW van in Oz , and it became apparent very early on that buddy just couldn't grasp the concept of safely driving on the left hand side of the road , in a right-hand drive vehicle . He could do it , but I got nervous everytime he got behind the wheel ( especially after he bumped off the curb on a bridge ! ) . It's not for everyone , and I'm sure most of you would agree after just watching some folks trying to drive on our roads under normal circumstances . Some get it . some just fake it and get away with it . And to some it's only a matter of time  before they crash . And thats without RHD thrown into the situation . Oh , and in Australia , if you own a LHD vehicle , it is required to put a sign on the back of your vehicle indicating it as a warning to others . I'd go with that .

Rob

[Drivesideways]

Funny...in another thread everyone is pounding their fists over the colour of a rear signal light.  Over here...driving from the wrong side of the car?  "Meh.  No biggie...." 

Oh and...I bet passing slower traffic on a two lane road could result in some laundry emergencies.

[Arthur Dent]

my brother in law bought a Surf (diesel 4Runner). The turbo blew out after a month or so. He ended up swapping in a gas 4 banger from his parts 4Runner. The exterior/interior is in great shape and the turbo motor had a good useable power before it blew. He seems to be able to drive it fine - I guess a small sports car would be even easier.