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

[Markospoon]

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.

[Odinson]

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.

[sabu]

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.

[fargoman]

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

[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 ?

[jamaicajeanne]

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

[newfiegirl59]

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

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.

[newfiegirl59]

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 ?

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.

[Marblehead]

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

[Bnewb]

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.

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.