Episode 12 Transcript

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The UK Journey Planning Podcast Episode 12 Transcript – Making ready to drive within the UK with Tripiamo

Intro

Tracy:

Hello, and welcome to the UK Journey Planning Podcast. Are you planning a visit to the UK and contemplating driving for a part of your trip? Maybe you listened to our earlier podcast about driving the north coast 500 in Scotland and now dream of taking a street journey of your personal across the UK. Nevertheless, are you feeling confused or nervous on the considered driving in an unfamiliar atmosphere and on the other aspect of the street from what you’re used to?

Tracy:

We all know it is a big supply of tension for a lot of contemplating driving within the UK and is usually raised in emails and in our UK Journey Planning Fb group. Effectively, that is the podcast episode for you. Right this moment I’m joined by John Cortese, founding father of Tripiamo, which goals to assist North Individuals perceive how you can get round safely, regardless of the place on the planet you’re, together with what you should know to remain protected in the event you’re planning to drive within the UK.

Tracy:

After listening to this podcast, you’ll understand how Tripiamo’s guides can put together you to your journey and assist allay your fears and stresses about driving within the UK. So John, it’s nice to have you ever on the UK Journey Planning Podcast at this time. Would you want to inform us a bit of bit about your self and in addition about Tripiamo and what made you begin the corporate?

John:

Yeah. Effectively, firstly, Tracy, thanks a lot for having me right here. It’s actually a pleasure to be right here. So my identify’s John Cortese. I began Tripiamo, which actually is a enterprise that I began actually to assist folks journey safely and journey confidently regardless of the place they’re on the planet.

John:

So what we do is we create digital on-line guides to show folks how you can drive abroad and how you can get round with different transit modes like motorbikes, bicycles, and public transit, however actually supplying you with a simplified and high quality understanding of the variations in getting round in a foreign country, and actually what you should know to remain protected earlier than you arrive, whether or not it’s for trip or in the event you’re visiting household, finding out or for enterprise. However our guides are available in with sort of some issues and so they include them to make sure that you’re assured and know what you should know earlier than you hit the street.

John:

In order part of the Tripiamo, we offer first a sequence of quick micro movies that cowl subjects from distinctive street guidelines to driving etiquette, to rationalization of street indicators and dashing restrictions and the way and the place to park, rental automotive suggestions, and all the things else you may think about you would possibly have to know.

John:

However what actually makes us distinctive is that we offer an precise 360 diploma expertise that really permits you to expertise what it’s wish to drive or getting round, or get round in a foreign country earlier than you really get there. So this fashion you understand, actually, precisely what to anticipate or how you can maneuver, whether or not you’re getting on a motorbike within the metropolis of Edinburgh, in the event you’re driving on the English countryside or simply even strolling throughout the streets of London.

John:

So we additionally then present a set of useful supplies and prime suggestions when you’re on the go. However actually all of that is backed by our crew’s in depth journey experiences, our analysis with dependable sources, reminiscent of wanting and studying within the particulars of each driving handbook in every nation, interviewing locals, expats, guests, and all the things they’ve skilled in between. So we actually, our purpose right here with Tripiamo is to just be sure you can get round like an area, regardless of the place you’re on the planet.

Tracy:

I imply, that’s completely good. I do know in our Fb group, and infrequently by e-mail, I do get numerous questions and issues and worries raised, significantly about driving on the left within the UK, as a result of clearly it’s reverse aspect to North America. So whereas it’s not a lot of a fear, I assume, when Individuals set into mainland Europe, as a result of the vast majority of mainland Europe do drive on the right-hand aspect. I’ve to assume there, myself. However clearly there are locations like [inaudible 00:04:30] Island, Cyprus and Malta additionally drive on the left, in addition to there are, as I say, 72 international locations world wide that really drive on the left. So, it’s with contemplating that.

Tracy:

It’s a stress for folks. And very often, there’ll be a [discount 00:04:46], “I’m not going to drive. I gained’t drive within the UK as a result of it actually worries me.” So I do know after we’re speaking earlier than, you’ve talked concerning the completely different modes of transport that your guides cowl. So I do know driving is one thing significantly that our listeners could wish to know a bit of bit extra intimately about how you’ll assist them and the way you’ll relive their stress and worries and anxieties that they’ve by in the event that they entry the guides by Tripiamo.

John:

That’s actually a terrific query. And while you boil it down, vacationers actually are involved about simply destructive outcomes of driving wherever, whether or not it’s on the other aspect of the street, whether or not it’s nonetheless on the identical aspect, it’s simply understanding what to do while you get to that specific nation and the issues which are completely different.

John:

However to speak about that reverse aspect of the street driving, I additionally wish to handle this level by speaking a bit of bit about simply driving internationally on the whole, as a result of there are a number of issues to consider while you’re driving in any worldwide nation, and it ought to be good. You need to be capable to.

Most individuals that do it get alongside fantastic and so they’re utterly fantastic, however there are specific issues that folks have reminiscent of private or household harm. I do know that getting round is usually deemed protected, however street associated accidents could be a main reason for points for Individuals and others touring internationally.

John:

Individuals are involved about tickets. Foreigners can get tickets after which simply any automobile rental harm, however actually numerous this stuff might be addressed with simply understanding the fundamentals of what’s happening. And I’m going to get to that in a second. However, because it significantly pertains to driving on the other aspect of the street, what Tripiamo has is a number of issues to essentially assist.

John:

So first, we offer these micro movies like I discussed, and we cowl actually all the major conditions and subjects vacationers used to driving on the other aspect of the street get confused by whereas they’re driving throughout the UK.

So we’ll provide you with an understanding of what to anticipate from each facet of your journey, from one thing so simple as selecting up your automotive on the rental company and what’s completely different there, getting within the automotive, understanding what normal performance is positioned and the place it’s, such because the steering wheel being on the appropriate hand aspect of the automotive, or the place is the fuel pedal?

The place’s the acceleration? To what are the completely different driving conditions that you could be be confused by that as we’ve interviewed dozens and dozens of individuals of what’s completely different, and ensuring that we cowl these issues.

Tracy:

So simply to form of joke there, I do know one of many greatest points, and in addition even for Australians go into the UK to drive and the identical with Individuals, is that we drive in Australia, we drive automatics greater than a stick shift. And I do know that in North America is similar. I used to dwell in Canada and once more, had an automated, however within the UK that’s nonetheless, it prices you extra to hire an automated to start out off with, however really it’s extra uncommon.

Tracy:

So to truly get an automated will value you extra and also you do must get in and get that rental fairly early on as a result of there is-

John:

Appropriate.

Tracy:

… a better demand, particularly from folks from Australia and North America who need, desire to have an automated somewhat than the stick shift.

John:

Completely. And that’s additionally our advice as nicely. Though, if in case you have expertise driving stick, please, by all means, go forward in the event you really feel snug, however particularly in the event you’re not even used to these roads and the street indicators within the UK, however not to mention driving on the other aspect, you wish to just be sure you’re taking note of what’s in entrance of you, not essentially taking a look at your GPS or additionally fascinated by how try to be driving a stick shift.

John:

So I do wish to handle Tracy, simply a few different issues too about your query round what Tripiamo does to assist calm you, as a result of we all know that numerous these issues might be mitigated simply with that apply. Along with these micro movies, we provide you with, really, like I mentioned, actual life, 360 driving footage with educational steering for all the completely different conditions it’s possible you’ll encounter when you’re within the UK, reminiscent of going by roundabouts, small roundabouts, multi-lane roundabouts. That’s one thing that basically issues folks.

John:

Driving in rural areas, city, suburban areas, on highways, actually going by any varieties of intersections that aren’t even roundabouts, however simply let’s say multi-lane intersections. That’s one thing that’s very difficult for those that are driving on the other aspect of the street, however vacationers are far more ready for his or her excursions after they’re utilizing our guides.

John:

However I wish to use an analogy right here too, simply to form of provide you with an concept. So let’s say you’re in a calculus math class and perhaps you’re in highschool and also you’re about to take your midterm or last, and also you’ve by no means opened the calculus textual content e-book. That’s what it might be like driving internationally. And even saying this, you in all probability have the data and the conditions to take that calculus class since you’ve accomplished your algebra class, your geometry class and you understand the fundamentals of math, identical to you bought your license in your house nation.

John:

However in the event you don’t know the ideas of calculus or driving in that specific nation, in the event you haven’t seemed on the textbook or finished some examples, you could possibly be going into that check blind. And typically when you may go in that check blind, one thing can go fallacious. However once more, what we’re offering is that simplified information so that you simply don’t must essentially learn the textbook, however you may get it in a extremely quick time, be assured and guarantee that driving or biking or getting round on the whole isn’t a fear it’s a must to take into consideration when you’re touring overseas.

Tracy:

No, that’s nice. And so I do know we talked about issues like roundabout and dashing, tolls, you cowl guidelines and parking, as a result of parking is a matter, I do know. And I’ve mentioned it very often to folks, count on within the UK that you simply’ll must pay for parking. And I do know you cowl issues like congestion zones and I all the time advocate folks to not drive in London anyway. So hopefully you wouldn’t be having to cope with that in the event you had been going to be visiting London. And clearly issues like gasoline stations and the various kinds of petrol.

Tracy:

I’ve really had mates who’ve traveled to the UK earlier than and had a rental automotive and it was a diesel and so they put petrol in a diesel automotive and I’ve heard of that occuring earlier than as nicely. It’s-

John:

[crosstalk 00:11:07].

Tracy:

… simply being acutely aware of these issues. And I feel while you’re on vacation, when you get into that vacation mode after which typically these stuff you neglect, you neglect really, I’m again into … oh, I’ll simply put the petrol within the automotive. Oh, oops, I’ve put the fallacious type in. And that’s a really costly mistake you could make.

Tracy:

So it’s these types of issues that your tutorial movies cowl as nicely, which I feel is de facto useful. And once more, one thing for our listeners to get the guides and put together themselves earlier than they really go to the UK, in order that they’ve that … geared up with that data to scale back their stress ranges and elevating these ranges of consciousness.

And I do know, I can take into consideration once I moved to France in 1989. So it’s a very long time in the past now, and truly was driving. Clearly, I used to drive on the left after which was driving on the appropriate.

Tracy:

And so the one time I really did have an accident as a result of I seemed the fallacious manner. Fundamental mistake, first day within the automotive, first day within the automotive, seemed the fallacious manner. So fortunately it wasn’t a severe accident. It was only a little bit of a aspect influence, however it was sufficient to shake me up for some time.

Oh. So one thing like this might’ve been implausible. So I assume I’m going to ask about, in the mean time your guides cowl the UK, however are they going to cowl different locations? As a result of I feel that additionally is perhaps of curiosity.

John:

Sure. And that’s a terrific query. We’re increasing as we communicate into a number of different international locations, significantly for now in Western Europe and we hope to have most of these prepared earlier than the summer season journey season begins. So, be looking out.

Tracy:

That’s sensible. That’s nice that you simply’re going to supply … have a bit extra, going to supply from the UK out, as a result of I do know some folks will journey to the UK, spend a little bit of time within the UK, maybe perhaps get the prepare over to France after which go and wish to rent a automotive in France or begin off in France.

And doing a street journey in Europe, it’s thrilling. However once more, in the event you’re really going to spend a while staying in France or Italy and also you’re going to drive, then you definitely go to the UK, once more, you’re going to nonetheless have that very same difficulty that you simply’re going to be on the opposite aspect of the street.

Tracy:

But in addition even in locations, France and Italy have completely different … they’re going to have completely different guidelines and laws to what you’re used to. And I had that one … as a result of I lived in Canada, seems like I’ve lived in every single place, however I lived in Canada and I’d been residing in France, really moved to Canada.

Tracy:

After which from a rural setting in France to a giant … I moved to Toronto. So then getting used to the completely different guidelines in Canada was one thing that was all model new to me. One thing like this might’ve been superb, would’ve been completely implausible. Will surely have helped me, made me really feel much less confused and way more ready about driving once I went.

Tracy:

So I feel that’s sensible. Clearly I’m going to place hyperlinks within the present notes to Tripiamo. So anyone listening can be capable to go over to your web site and so they should buy a few of your guides. So would you want to only say as soon as they’ve bought this, how lengthy have they got entry to the information? Is it downloadable? How do they entry them?

John:

Yeah, so we created it fairly easy. Mainly, you go on our web site, you buy a information and so they’re accessible for a full yr. You log into our Tripiamo portal the place you’re going to have the ability to entry, whether or not you’re on the airport and also you’re in your house earlier than the place you arrive.

If you happen to’re on the lodge even, in that nation, you may entry all the guides. After which we additionally present form of a downloadable PDF too you could carry as simply in case reference. Let’s say you’re driving and also you’re like, “What does that street signal imply? And I don’t actually bear in mind from the movies.” You possibly can have that for reference too. However accessible on desktop, telephone, pill, something you identify, so long as you bought web connection.

Tracy:

Excellent. That sounds wonderful. And I do know there’s a money-back assure as well-

John:

Appropriate.

Tracy:

… that you simply’ve bought with that. [crosstalk 00:14:46].

John:

Completely.

Tracy:

So, that’s implausible. I’m certain folks gained’t want it since you’re actually providing a implausible product. There’s positively a necessity for this as a result of as I say, it’s a typical query that we get requested in our Fb group and emails very often is that stress and anxiousness.

And the way will we put together to drive within the UK? As a result of in the mean time we’re simply, we wish to do it and we actually wish to do a street journey, however we’re only a bit nervous about what are we going to come across? We’ve heard about all these roundabouts. We’re going to be on a special aspect of the street than we’re used to.

So it’s form of all these questions. And as you say, while you first decide up your employed automotive is definitely remembering which aspect of the automotive you get into in the event you’re going to be driving it. It’s these form of fundamentals as nicely.

John:

And even in the event you’re getting right into a taxi too, even in the event you’re not driving. Understanding which aspect, in the event you’re going within the entrance of the automotive.

Tracy:

Yeah. And I do know you speak about with modes of transport as nicely is strolling and given recommendation about if you’re strolling round London. Truly, any individual commented the opposite day that’s in London about the truth that they’ve bought indicators on the pavement earlier than you cross the street to remind you which of them method to look, as a result of that’s such a typical downside. If you happen to’re used to driving on a special aspect, you’ll look the other way.

And it’s simply intuition. You don’t even give it some thought. You’ll simply do this as a result of that’s what you used to. So there’s these reminders about ensuring that you simply’re actually conscious of the place you’re and getting round, whether or not it’s strolling or whether or not you’re going to take a motorcycle or a bicycle, otherwise you’re going to rent a automotive.

John:

And on that time, Tracy, that I’d wish to say too, simply concerning the strolling, that is a type of items of recommendation I give anybody that’s going to the UK. Look, even when there are indicators on the road that say, look left, look proper, I all the time say look each methods earlier than you get into the road, as a result of so many individuals are used to only form of even taking a step into the road and looking out and don’t notice they’re wanting the fallacious manner.

John:

And never all intersections within the UK, or largely within the vacationer areas in Central London and different areas, you’re going to see look left and proper. However not all intersections could have it. In order that’s why you-

Tracy:

[crosstalk 00:16:52].

John:

… even have to essentially say earlier than you get into the road, I actually advocate that.

Tracy:

Completely. And I do know within the Seventies, we did the inexperienced cross code once I was at college and it was, you look left, you look proper, you look left once more. That was what drilled into us. That was you look left, you look proper and then you definitely look left once more earlier than you even think about. And also you do this earlier than you, as you say, step out into the street. And you need to use it on the crossings as nicely. I might counsel that you simply do use the crossings and never jaywalking. Definitely not jaywalking.

Tracy:

And likewise in locations like London as nicely, you’ve bought to take heed to the truth that there’s motorbikes, there’s buses, there’s bicycles, very quick bicycles typically that may go very, very quick previous you. And in the event you don’t have your wits about you, you could possibly get and knocked over. There’s lots to consider, isn’t there?

John:

[crosstalk 00:17:39].

Tracy:

You’re taking a look at all the things, you’re having fun with it, however you additionally must take heed to these issues.

John:

However on that time too, Tracy, I might say there’s positively lots to have a look at, however it’s additionally, it’s very a lot identical to driving wherever or strolling wherever. It’s a must to be prepared, however it’s simply understanding these variations and simply ensuring you perceive them so that you simply’re ready and able to go. And then you definitely’re going to have the time of your life, hopefully.

Tracy:

There’s all the time one query I ask on the finish to our friends on the UK Journey Planning Podcast, John. So that you’re no exception. You’re going to get requested at this time that query. What’s your primary tip for anybody visiting the UK for the primary time?

John:

Oh. Effectively, I feel the wanting earlier than you get into the road could be my primary for anybody, no matter which motor transit you’re taking and nevertheless you’re going to get pleasure from your journey. However since that is actually form of a spotlight proper now on driving, I feel I’m going to offer one significantly round driving.

John:

So that is for particularly of us which are used to driving on the other aspect of the street from what’s within the UK. On the subject of two-way intersections, whether or not it’s single … it’s a two-way intersection you’re approaching, whether or not you’re coming from a one-way or a two-way, be sure to take giant right-hand turns and quick left-hand turns.

It’s going to be form of exhausting to know, however really while you’re there, you’re going to be like, “Oh, that makes numerous sense.” Simply on that observe for the Individuals on the market. No idea of proper on crimson. Can’t do this within the UK.

Tracy:

Ah, sure.

John:

And numerous that’s since you’re making giant right-hand turns. So simply hold that in thoughts. However that may be my one piece of recommendation at a excessive stage for these driving within the UK.

Tracy:

That’s level. That caught me out in Canada, I’ve to let you know, the crimson mild factor. That was the very first thing I realized, I feel. That’s sensible, John.

So thanks a lot for approaching at this time. As I mentioned, I’ll put hyperlinks within the present notes to Tripiamo so folks can pop over there and purchase your merchandise, as a result of they’re wonderful. Guides are actually price it. Undoubtedly for anyone planning to pop over the UK and do … whereas driving or visiting London. As I say, coated fairly a number of alternative ways of getting round. So, that’s sensible. So thanks very a lot for being a visitor on the present.

John:

Oh, thanks, Tracy.

Tracy:

Thanks once more to John for being at this time’s visitor on the podcast. Yow will discover hyperlinks to Tripiamo in at this time’s present notes at uktravelplaning.com/episode12. We now have different podcast episodes, which you’ll get pleasure from too, together with episode 11, which seems on the varied methods to get across the UK, and episode two, which is an introduction to UK prepare journey.

Tracy:

If you happen to’ve loved at this time’s episode, please go away us a assessment and subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You possibly can help our work with the highest tip your information button, which is positioned on our UK Journey Planning web site. All that leaves me to say is thanks for listening, bye for now, and Pleased UK journey planning.