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 highway journey of your personal across the UK. Nonetheless, are you feeling confused or nervous on the considered driving in an unfamiliar surroundings and on the alternative facet of the highway from what you’re used to?

Tracy:

We all know this can be a large supply of tension for a lot of contemplating driving within the UK and is commonly raised in emails and in our UK Journey Planning Fb group. Properly, that is the podcast episode for you. Right now I’m joined by John Cortese, founding father of Tripiamo, which goals to assist North People perceive the right way to get round safely, irrespective of the place on this planet you’re, together with what you could know to remain secure if you happen to’re planning to drive within the UK.

Tracy:

After listening to this podcast, you’ll know the way 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 immediately. Would you want to inform us a little bit bit about your self and in addition about Tripiamo and what made you begin the corporate?

John:

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

John:

So what we do is we create digital on-line guides to show individuals the right way to drive abroad and the right way to get round with different transit modes like motorbikes, bicycles, and public transit, however actually providing you with a simplified and high quality understanding of the variations in getting round out of the country, and actually what you could know to remain secure earlier than you arrive, whether or not it’s for trip or if you happen to’re visiting household, learning or for enterprise. However our guides are available with variety of some issues and so they include them to make sure that you’re assured and know what you could know earlier than you hit the highway.

John:

In order part of the Tripiamo, we offer first a collection of brief micro movies that cowl subjects from distinctive highway guidelines to driving etiquette, to clarification of highway indicators and dashing restrictions and the way and the place to park, rental automobile ideas, and every thing else you’ll be able to think about you may have to know.

John:

However what actually makes us distinctive is that we offer an precise 360 diploma expertise that truly lets you expertise what it’s prefer to drive or getting round, or get round out of the country earlier than you really get there. So this manner you recognize, actually, precisely what to anticipate or the right way to maneuver, whether or not you’re getting on a motorcycle within the metropolis of Edinburgh, if you happen to’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 high ideas when you’re on the go. However actually all of that is backed by our staff’s intensive journey experiences, our analysis with dependable sources, equivalent to wanting and studying within the particulars of each driving guide in every nation, interviewing locals, expats, guests, and every thing they’ve skilled in between. So we actually, our purpose right here with Tripiamo is to just remember to can get round like a neighborhood, irrespective of the place you’re on this planet.

Tracy:

I imply, that’s completely good. I do know in our Fb group, and sometimes by electronic mail, I do get a whole lot of questions and considerations and worries raised, notably about driving on the left within the UK, as a result of clearly it’s reverse facet to North America. So whereas it’s not a lot of a fear, I suppose, when People set into mainland Europe, as a result of nearly all of mainland Europe do drive on the right-hand facet. 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 around the globe that truly drive on the left. So, it’s with contemplating that.

Tracy:

It’s a stress for individuals. And very often, there’ll be a [discount 00:04:46], “I’m not going to drive. I received’t drive within the UK as a result of it actually worries me.” So I do know once 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 notably that our listeners could wish to know a little bit 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 means of in the event that they entry the guides by means of Tripiamo.

John:

That’s actually an incredible query. And while you boil it down, vacationers actually are involved about simply detrimental outcomes of driving wherever, whether or not it’s on the alternative facet of the highway, whether or not it’s nonetheless on the identical facet, it’s simply figuring out what to do while you get to that individual nation and the issues which might be completely different.

John:

However to speak about that reverse facet of the highway driving, I additionally wish to deal with this level by speaking a little bit bit about simply driving internationally generally, 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 have the ability to.

Most individuals that do it get alongside effective and so they’re utterly effective, however there are particular considerations that folks have equivalent to private or household harm. I do know that getting round is usually deemed secure, however highway associated accidents could be a main reason behind points for People and others touring internationally.

John:

Persons are involved about tickets. Foreigners can get tickets after which simply any car rental injury, however actually a whole lot of 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 notably pertains to driving on the alternative facet of the highway, what Tripiamo has is just a few issues to actually assist.

John:

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

So we’ll offer you an understanding of what to anticipate from each facet of your journey, from one thing so simple as selecting up your automobile on the rental company and what’s completely different there, getting within the automobile, figuring out what basic performance is positioned and the place it’s, such because the steering wheel being on the fitting hand facet of the automobile, 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 largest points, and in addition even for Australians go into the UK to drive and the identical with People, is that we drive in Australia, we drive automatics greater than a stick shift. And I do know that in North America is identical. I used to stay 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 really get an automated will value you extra and also you do should get in and get that rental fairly early on as a result of there is-

John:

Right.

Tracy:

… the next demand, particularly from individuals from Australia and North America who need, desire to have an automated quite 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 if you happen to really feel comfy, however particularly if you happen to’re not even used to these roads and the highway indicators within the UK, however not to mention driving on the alternative facet, you wish to just remember to’re being attentive to what’s in entrance of you, not essentially taking a look at your GPS or additionally desirous about how you need to be driving a stick shift.

John:

So I do wish to deal with 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 a whole lot of these issues might be mitigated simply with that apply. Along with these micro movies, we offer you, really, like I stated, actual life, 360 driving footage with educational steering for all the completely different conditions you might encounter when you’re within the UK, equivalent to going by means of roundabouts, small roundabouts, multi-lane roundabouts. That’s one thing that actually considerations individuals.

John:

Driving in rural areas, city, suburban areas, on highways, actually going by means of any kinds 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 who are driving on the alternative facet of the highway, however vacationers are far more ready for his or her excursions once they’re utilizing our guides.

John:

However I wish to use an analogy right here too, simply to form of offer you an concept. So let’s say you’re in a calculus math class and possibly 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 guide. That’s what it might be like driving internationally. And even saying this, you in all probability have the data and the stipulations to take that calculus class since you’ve accomplished your algebra class, your geometry class and you recognize the fundamentals of math, similar to you bought your license in your house nation.

John:

However if you happen to don’t know the rules of calculus or driving in that individual nation, if you happen to haven’t appeared on the textbook or finished some examples, you could possibly be going into that check blind. And typically when you’ll be able to go in that check blind, one thing can go improper. However once more, what we’re offering is that simplified information so that you simply don’t should essentially learn the textbook, however you may get it in a very brief time, be assured and guarantee that driving or biking or getting round generally 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 stated it very often to individuals, count on within the UK that you simply’ll should pay for parking. And I do know you cowl issues like congestion zones and I all the time suggest individuals to not drive in London anyway. So hopefully you wouldn’t be having to cope with that if you happen to had been going to be visiting London. And clearly issues like gasoline stations and the several types of petrol.

Tracy:

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

John:

[crosstalk 00:11:07].

Tracy:

… simply being aware of these issues. And I believe while you’re on vacation, when you get into that vacation mode after which typically these stuff you overlook, you overlook really, I’m again into … oh, I’ll simply put the petrol within the automobile. Oh, oops, I’ve put the improper kind 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 believe 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 … outfitted with that data to cut 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 fitting.

Tracy:

And so the one time I really did have an accident as a result of I appeared the improper means. Fundamental mistake, first day within the automobile, first day within the automobile, appeared the improper means. So fortunately it wasn’t a critical accident. It was only a little bit of a facet influence, however it was sufficient to shake me up for some time.

Oh. So one thing like this is able to’ve been incredible. So I suppose I’m going to ask about, in the intervening time your guides cowl the UK, however are they going to cowl different locations? As a result of I believe that additionally is likely to be of curiosity.

John:

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

Tracy:

That’s good. 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 individuals will journey to the UK, spend a little bit of time within the UK, maybe possibly get the prepare over to France after which go and wish to rent a automobile in France or begin off in France.

And doing a highway journey in Europe, it’s thrilling. However once more, if you happen to’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 problem that you simply’re going to be on the opposite facet of the highway.

Tracy:

But additionally 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, appears like I’ve lived all over the 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 is able to’ve been wonderful, would’ve been completely incredible. Will surely have helped me, made me really feel much less confused and way more ready about driving once I went.

Tracy:

So I believe that’s good. Clearly I’m going to place hyperlinks within the present notes to Tripiamo. So anyone listening can have the ability to go over to your web site and so they can buy a few of your guides. So would you want to simply 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 out there 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.

When you’re on the lodge even, in that nation, you’ll be able to entry all the guides. After which we additionally present form of a downloadable PDF too you could deliver as simply in case reference. Let’s say you’re driving and also you’re like, “What does that highway signal imply? And I don’t actually bear in mind from the movies.” You’ll be able to have that for reference too. However out there on desktop, telephone, pill, something you title, 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:

Right.

Tracy:

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

John:

Completely.

Tracy:

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

And the way can we put together to drive within the UK? As a result of in the intervening time we’re simply, we wish to do it and we actually wish to do a highway 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 distinct facet of the highway than we’re used to.

So it’s form of all these questions. And as you say, while you first choose up your employed automobile is definitely remembering which facet of the automobile you get into if you happen to’re going to be driving it. It’s these form of fundamentals as nicely.

John:

And even if you happen to’re getting right into a taxi too, even if you happen to’re not driving. Figuring out which facet, if you happen to’re going within the entrance of the automobile.

Tracy:

Yeah. And I do know you discuss with modes of transport as nicely is strolling and given recommendation about if you’re strolling round London. Truly, any person commented the opposite day that’s in London about the truth that they’ve acquired indicators on the pavement earlier than you cross the highway to remind you which ones strategy to look, as a result of that’s such a standard downside. When you’re used to driving on a distinct facet, you’ll look the other way.

And it’s simply intuition. You don’t even give it some thought. You’ll simply try 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 automobile.

John:

And on that time, Tracy, that I’d prefer 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 simply form of even taking a step into the road and looking out and don’t notice they’re wanting the improper means.

John:

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

Tracy:

[crosstalk 00:16:52].

John:

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

Tracy:

Completely. And I do know within the Seventies, we did the inexperienced cross code once I was in school 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 contemplate. And also you try this earlier than you, as you say, step out into the highway. And you need to use it on the crossings as nicely. I’d counsel that you simply do use the crossings and never jaywalking. Actually not jaywalking.

Tracy:

And in addition in locations like London as nicely, you’ve acquired 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 if you happen to 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 every thing, you’re having fun with it, however you additionally should take heed to these issues.

John:

However on that time too, Tracy, I’d say there’s undoubtedly lots to take a look at, however it’s additionally, it’s very a lot similar to driving wherever or strolling wherever. You need to be prepared, however it’s simply figuring out 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 immediately that query. What’s your primary tip for anybody visiting the UK for the primary time?

John:

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

John:

So that is for particularly people which might be used to driving on the alternative facet of the highway from what’s within the UK. With regards to 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, ensure you take massive right-hand turns and brief left-hand turns.

It’s going to be form of arduous to know, however really while you’re there, you’re going to be like, “Oh, that makes a whole lot of sense.” Simply on that notice for the People on the market. No idea of proper on crimson. Can’t try this within the UK.

Tracy:

Ah, sure.

John:

And a whole lot of that’s since you’re making massive right-hand turns. So simply hold that in thoughts. However that may be my one piece of recommendation at a excessive degree 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 discovered, I believe. That’s good, John.

So thanks a lot for approaching immediately. As I stated, I’ll put hyperlinks within the present notes to Tripiamo so individuals 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, lined fairly just a few alternative ways of getting round. So, that’s good. So thanks very a lot for being a visitor on the present.

John:

Oh, thanks, Tracy.

Tracy:

Thanks once more to John for being immediately’s visitor on the podcast. You will discover hyperlinks to Tripiamo in immediately’s present notes at uktravelplaning.com/episode12. We’ve got different podcast episodes, which you’ll take pleasure in too, together with episode 11, which appears on the varied methods to get across the UK, and episode two, which is an introduction to UK prepare journey.

Tracy:

When you’ve loved immediately’s episode, please go away us a assessment and subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You’ll be able to 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 Blissful UK journey planning.