Driving in the Land Down Under

Just in case you have a lapse in attention, these signs are there to help

You would think, given that the two nations are so similar, that driving down here would be the same as driving in Canada. Besides the obvious driving on the wrong side of the road, of course.
But, no. Subtle differences make driving here quite a different experience.
I've already talked about the beauty of roundabouts, especially for the directionally challenged. The other thing I love about driving here are the speed limits. You can race down windy country roads at 90km/hr and only have to take your foot off the gas a touch to slow down to 70km/hr through populated areas. However, if you are a little leery about careening though the countryside or want to slow down a little to enjoy the beautiful drive, most drivers will sit two feet from your bumper while they wait for a passing lane.
Some other observations:

• Australians are diligent about staying in the outside lane except to pass. So diligent, in fact, that on a freeway, doing 110km/hr, they will wait until they can practically kiss your bumper, whip into the other lane to pass, and cut right back in front of you close enough to kiss the other end.

This is a common sight on the freeway

• At home, our traffic lights are front and centre in the intersection, dangling directly in front of the driver. Here, every intersection is a "Where's Waldo" hunt. Sometimes they're obvious, sometimes they're hiding behind a gum tree, sometimes there's a bridge in the way so you don't see the light until you are 100m away from it. Often, there are so many poles with lights on them that it's practically impossible to tell which one is for me. I either wait for another driver to make the first move, or stay where I am until someone lays on their horn.

Uhhhh... Which one is for me?

• Left hook turns. I refuse to drive into the city for fear of the left hook turn. If you're interested, google it, because I don't want to think about the dreaded turn enough to try and explain it.

• Parking signs. I'll let this image speak for itself:

• Although I'm assured that pedestrians have the right of way, drivers do not stop for people wanting to cross at intersections. Even zebra crossings aren't entirely safe. For Canadians who are used to jumping out into traffic whenever they want to cross the street, a walk downtown can be death defying.

I've been here for ten months so you may be asking yourself what prompted this rant about driving. Well, I got my first speeding ticket. Ever. For going 2 km over the speed limit. On a street where, if travelling north, you can go 80 km/hr but only 60 km/hr going south. Cameras are set up at strategic places around the city and the authorities rake in millions from lead footed drivers and dumb Canadians. You don't even know you've committed a sin until you get a nasty piece of mail a week later.

This is the intersection where I got nailed. According to the Herald Sun, so did 12,500 other people last year, resulting in a revenue stream of $2.8 million

I shouldn't complain though - it could be worse. Rob was threatened with a $230 ticket for having his feet up on the seat on the train.