To drive in Jamaica, its fun, ...but

I have driven in and around Negril over the years.
Mi family van.
It was ok, always stayed on the left.

When you get to the Round-A-bout,
the car that is in there first
has the right of way.
Made my turn , headed down the road and
hit a straight away.
That's when I stepped on the gas.
It was fun, sped a little, had fun,
then broke it down to regular speed.

My lady friend wants me to rent a car from a local.
"5000 a day is all he wants"
because we have big plans this trip.

"Oh, no, baby,I tried it once, stone cold sober.
This trip is all about fun in the sun.
I drink waaaaaay to much beer, love being out at night.

Besides, The Taxis and private drivers are all around the place.

I would rather give you that $5000 J.

That got her. "ok, you are right.

So, no driving for this old man.:cool:

Many fond memories driving in Jamaica over the years. First days took a little concentration, getting in the wrong side, wipers instead of turn signals - wake up the second day and all is well, driving like I was born there!

Craziest drive (a day 1) met friends at MBJ who had landed earlier and had quite a headstart on us. Our flight was delayed so we didn't start driving until after dark, in a huge rainstorm, during the peak of the land crab migration! Island Rental used to have some pretty beat up cars; this one had dim headlights, touchy wipers and a hole in the driver's side floor board. Thousands of big crabs scuttling across the road, then stopping when I got close with claws threateningly pointed up at me. I dodged as many as I could but ended up crushing many. I saw many more through the hole in the floor passing unharmed - I thought each one I smashed would pierce one of the dicey tires but none did. Finally made it to Negril (this was when the road was in bad shape) where I washed the metallic taste of fear out of my mouth with the first of many Stripes. The rest of that trip was idyllic - my only regret was not stopping and grabbing some of those tasty critters for us to eat.

Like you Markospoon, I now travel as a passenger and look forward to reasonings with friends and drivers.

I also loved driving in Jamaica until about 20 years ago.......just stopped paying attention for one second coming down from La Grange, missed the left exit and went into a round-about on the right. Came out on the wrong side right into a head-on. Fortunately, no one was hurt but I mashed up the cars and it could have been a disaster. Island Rental got to keep my $1,000 deductible. Sticking with a taxi is a lot more relaxing.

I cancelled my car rental reservation yesterday..no more right/left side worries..cabbing it ..

i would like to read so where about the rules of the round a bouts. i always though the car on the right gets the right of way ?

Whoever is already in the round a bout has the right of way.


http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/roundabouts/

How to drive a roundabout
Roundabouts are designed to make intersections safer and more efficient for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. There are two types of roundabouts: Single-lane roundabouts and multi-lane roundabouts.

There are a few key things to remember about driving roundabouts:

Yield to drivers in the roundabout
Stay in your lane; do not change lanes
Do not stop in the roundabout
Avoid driving next to oversize vehicles

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fargoman

I cancelled my car rental reservation yesterday..no more right/left side worries..cabbing it ..

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Oh Fargoman, don't chicken out it's really freeing not to have to worry about finding a ride and it's more cost effective if you are only staying a week or 2.we rent all the time and we have saved thousands on tour rates by driving ourselves.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by original spanky

i would like to read so where about the rules of the round a bouts. i always though the car on the right gets the right of way ?

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that's correct spanky, because the car in the round about will be on your right side as you enter into the round about , so it will always have the right of way.

For the first 25 years, I rented a car except for my 3rd trip. My 2nd trip, I copied WW2 too maps and explored the entire island, 950 miles in 10 days. I had many exciting moments and just as many serendipitous adventures that I only would have experienced driving a rental. Once I got to my 60's, I started to reconsider. Too much responsibility and cost to keep up. I highly recommend renting a car if you're adventurous and going to drive hours every day. Otherwise, I recommend that you hire a driver or take public transportation. Respect --Marblehead

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Markospoon

My lady friend wants me to rent a car from a local.
"5000 a day is all he wants"
because we have big plans this trip.

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Marko...not everyone knows this and forgive me if I'm misinterpreting what you're saying...but if you're going to rent a car from a local...make sure they're legally allowed to rent a car to you. If something happens to you or the car...insurance won't cover anything if you've rented from someone not actually legal to rent.

Right Bnewb,
that is another reason I declined.
I can't just get in any ones car.
I always follow the legal and correct way to do things.

and with Island's rates being what they are, it's actually cheaper to do it the legal way....My CC just puts a $500 hold, the local way scares me because if something is going to happen trust me it WILL happen to me

I have rented cars many times in Jamaica. It used to be really expensive but the last few times 2014, 15 the rates were really low. I have driven twice from Kingston to Negril and back and just about everywhere in between. Last few times the cars were automatics with A/C. Having to shift a standard was just another distraction from staying on the left so with an AT I find it a lot easier. Nice thing about a car rental is you can, if you want, be spontaneous about travel plans. Yea I know in high season finding a great room might be a problem but there are usually enough places to find a deal. I have seen some unbelievably beautiful sites that I probably wouldn't have had it not been for a rental.