How have your driving habits changed since moving to Japan?

After coming to Japan, I've noticed that I drive differently than I used to beforehand. And I don't mean on the other side of the street!

For example, I often put my automatic car in neutral and put on the emergency brake when I'm at a red light, or I know I will be stopped for an extended period of time.

Also, I sometimes turn off my headlights at night when I'm waiting at a red light. I turn them back on when it turns green, of course!

Also, I use my hazard lights A LOT more than I ever used to! For thanking the guy behind me for letting me in the expressway, to signify that I'm backing up, to signify that I'm making an ubrupt stop on the expressway, to signify that I'm parked, but I'll be back in my car soon, etc.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. How about you? Have your driving habits changed since coming to Japan?

I drive more slowly and git-like than I used to in the UK.

That light-off thing at junctions - don't do it! Very easy way to get yourself killed by a turning truck.

As a former biker I also switch on my car lights at the slightest suggestion of poor visibility. I've found it really quite amazing because when other drivers can actually see your car they tend NOT to smash into it!

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mr.sumo.snr said:

That light-off thing at junctions - don't do it! Very easy way to get yourself killed by a turning truck.

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You're probably right. I picked that habit up in Osaka. It's hard to give up, though!

Mikawa Ossan said:

For example, I often put my automatic car in neutral and put on the emergency brake when I'm at a red light, or I know I will be stopped for an extended period of time.

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I drive a manual so everytime I pull up at some lights in my parents auto I'll still change it to neutral and put the handbrake on Some habits never die!

I think the idea with the hazard lights to signal when you are to stop is a good idea, especially when taxis do it and you are on a motorbike about to overtake on the left hand side (that's telling you something about my driving habits in Japan right there). Unfortunately its not common practice here in Australia so I think it would freak other drivers out more than anything else...

I thought of another one as I was parking at the grocery store a little while ago: I back up into parking spots instead of pulling in head first a majority of the time nowadays. I never used to do that in America.

Of course, many of the parking lots here in Japan are different from what you'll find the midwestern United States. I haven't seen nearly so many of those huge sprawling parking lots that seem to be so ubiquitous over there.

I have a licence but I don't drive here. Oh how I would love to cruise down the とうめい though.