How to Drive in America: a guide for Brits.
- Thread starter Stinkles
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My favorite is when there is two cars in both lanes going the same speed limit which just happens to be 10 mph under.
Or people not having the common sense to get the fuck out of someone blind spot when they have the chance to. If there is no one in front of you theres no excuse to be hiding out in the blindspot
Or people not having the common sense to get the fuck out of someone blind spot when they have the chance to. If there is no one in front of you theres no excuse to be hiding out in the blindspot
UK here, I went on holiday to Canada last year and drove down to and back from New York. America wasn't anywhere near as bad to me as I had heard (except the whole turning right on a red thing, I couldn't get used to that), but Canada was horrendous. Pretty much nobody indicated (or they did it as they were doing the maneuver which is pointless), they would try and get in every gap I'd leave for safety and they didn't care what lane they used to overtake you which was pretty fucking scary!
Everyone I know, including myself, was taught how to drive by parents. If you're under 18, you're required to log 50 hours (10 of them at night). Over 18, you just have to show up and pass the test.
The USA is so car-centric you essentially learn driving by osmosis. When I first got behind the wheel I pretty much knew how everything worked already.
My mom actually paid for driving lessons. She drove around the first day and the guy thought she was just messing with him, because he felt she already knew how to drive and was ready to go get her license.
How long does it take to get a licence in the US? I've done around 35 hours of driving and taking my lesson in a couple of weeks, apparently 40 hours is the average.
this is true
shadyspace
Banned
We all drive automatics. There's less to learn.
50 hours for Nebraska.
edit: this is what I did
1999 - got learner's permit, drove around dad's car for a bit, drove around stepdad's manual for a bit, but never went to full license because it would have bumped our family's insurance up
2012: Went and tested for the learner's permit, got it again, 4 weeks later had my Driver's License. I actually would have had it in 2 weeks, but someone backed into the car I was using to practice with and it got stuck in the repair shop for an entire week in the middle there.
That sounds fine, although being taught by your parents is pretty insane. After having real lessons I can drive so much better than my parents.
I'm a US citizen (grew up in a midwest suburb) on vacation in Britain right now:
I hate your roads, so much. Did you know that in your road guides/atlases you rank your roads by RISK? I shit you not, in the atlas we have there's a RISK chart for all of the roads in your country. We drive along these country roads that wind and curve for miles and miles and miles, that are one lane wide, and people constantly drive 70mph and have to slam on the breaks the moment they see another car. There's apparently no rule about keeping tree/shrub growth away from the road either, just not directly on the road.
I do actually really enjoy roundabouts though, they make way more sense than 4 way intersections with stoplights.
I hate your roads, so much. Did you know that in your road guides/atlases you rank your roads by RISK? I shit you not, in the atlas we have there's a RISK chart for all of the roads in your country. We drive along these country roads that wind and curve for miles and miles and miles, that are one lane wide, and people constantly drive 70mph and have to slam on the breaks the moment they see another car. There's apparently no rule about keeping tree/shrub growth away from the road either, just not directly on the road.
I do actually really enjoy roundabouts though, they make way more sense than 4 way intersections with stoplights.
Funky Papa
FUNK-Y-PPA-4
It makes a lot of sense to me. Many Spanish young drivers learn the basics in empty industrial zones and the like with a little help from their parents. Driving schools are fucking expensive these days (they were already grossly overpriced when I got my licence more than a decade ago), so it is not extrange that people log the absolute minimum number of school hours before taking the practical test.
This, however
sounds absolutely mental to me.
Funky Papa
FUNK-Y-PPA-4
That and manuals is why we own at rally driving.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
No, they're worse because you can't control the breaking as much. You're just pushing down to different levels where it clicks where you can keep that from happening while holding the button on a hand emergency brake making a more gradual and safe stop.
Unless you're just pissed at waiting 30 secs at a light, lights/stops for 4 way intersection are so much better than circles it's not even funny. People always almost fuck up and hit you or are going way too fast through the circle.
Seraphinianus
Banned
Remember: it's not an "emergency lane," it's an "express lane" and it was built just for YOU. When you're stuck in traffic and your exit is half a mile ahead, screw waiting, hop into your personal express lane.
It's is explicitly reserved for Escalades, Range rovers and most Mercedes models.
OP is true in Canada as well.
Edmonton, AB has some of the worst drivers I have ever encountered after living in Toronto and Victoria. Drivers will close the weakness vacuum, then decide you aren't going fast enough, swerve around and then infront of you, only to realize there is another car 20 feet ahead and repeat the process.
Edmonton, AB has some of the worst drivers I have ever encountered after living in Toronto and Victoria. Drivers will close the weakness vacuum, then decide you aren't going fast enough, swerve around and then infront of you, only to realize there is another car 20 feet ahead and repeat the process.
But it's true where I live and in the majority of US states. When I submit this in a court of law or as a thesis, you can come at me bro. Until then, let me fly free. Let me soar.
shadowsdarknes
Member
Thread reminds me how much I miss driving in NJ.
NekoFever
Member
Our driving tests being so difficult is a big part of why the standard of driving is relatively high compared to a lot of places. I got my licence about 12 years ago and had 40 hours of formal lessons with an instructor, a theory test, and a practical test that involved roundabouts, junctions, manoeuvres, and emergency stops. Since then they've added a hazard perception test as well.
Some idiots forget all of it and drive like idiots, of course, but at least they have actually been taught how everything is done.
I've driven in the US and it can be bad, but it's nothing compared to the terror of roads in India. I genuinely don't think I've ever been closer to death.
Some idiots forget all of it and drive like idiots, of course, but at least they have actually been taught how everything is done.
I've driven in the US and it can be bad, but it's nothing compared to the terror of roads in India. I genuinely don't think I've ever been closer to death.
BrLvgThrChmstry
Banned
Love this one.
Seraphinianus
Banned
argentina was the scariest for me. They space themselves in relation to other cars and don't use the lines on the road at all. Probably safe for them, but I was about to have a heart attack.
Bali. I was in three crashes in one trip. They just hit you and don't give a fuck. Everyone's car is basically wrecked.
thezerofire
Banned
fuck people that won't speed. if you're going slower than the flow of traffic, you're a problem, regardless of what the speed limit is.
Shake Appeal
Member
Tailgating is scary fucking shit here. I don't drive, but even being in the passenger seat on a freeway is terrifying.
Yeah backroads can be quite dangerous, I never quite got why they've a speed limit of 60mph when as you say they can be quite narrow. They're a lot of fun though.
Most Mercedes still have one for some unknown reason although they're starting to get rid of them now iirc.
user8503492
Banned
Hate traffic circles/roundabouts.
They're kind of a joke here in New Jersey since at one point during the 1929-30's NJ built 100+ of them.
We have about 25 of them left in the state, I have one about 5 minute from me linking all the shore points and another 10min away from that linking city points.
They're kind of a joke here in New Jersey since at one point during the 1929-30's NJ built 100+ of them.
We have about 25 of them left in the state, I have one about 5 minute from me linking all the shore points and another 10min away from that linking city points.
donkey show
Member
Heh, all that in the OP sounds like driving in LA... and all of it is true.
Most new Lexus' have foot activated handbrakes.
Most new Lexus' have foot activated handbrakes.
I love jumping in these lanes and blocking the pricks that try to bypass everyone instead of waiting inline like everyone else. Other than sex im not sure there's a better satisfaction for me.
Joe Shlabotnik
Banned
I think this very funny list was secretly a social experiment to get everyone to name their own city or state as the worst/wackiest/craziest place to drive in the country.
But seriously you guys should try driving in New York City some time now THAT'S crazy driving
But seriously you guys should try driving in New York City some time now THAT'S crazy driving
i like when the state trooper parks there, and you inch up to see a line of the daring riches who ended up stuck behind him. 95N Woodrow Wilson, I'm looking at you.
I'm sure you're not the only two, but I'm glad someone called out New Jersey specifically. I moved closer to the Pine Barrens specifically to just have less idiots driving around me.
I like it for these reasons as well, it's a good idea that should be implemented into the main light.
Looking at these indicators I find it way easier to know when to start to slow down so I don't accidentally run a yellow/red light, and it helps knowing when the light's going to change to green, it could help others pay attention.
Holy shit, so true!!!
Unfortunately, I do add to the preventing people to pass sometimes when they are dicks. I hate when I'm going 80 in a 65 and some dumb ass is tailgating the shit out of me and continues to do so because they're too stubborn to go around me. I always love speeding up when they finally do decide to try to get in front of me.
My dad taught me how to drive.
The hardest part was parallel parking, which I learned by practicing in the back yard between two trees.
Amazing, huh?
Wha?
Almost every vehicle I've driven in the past five years has had a foot activated handbrake.
Where do you live?
Roundabouts and traffic circles are not one and the same.
Roundabouts are awesome, circles are stupid.
http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr3505.pdf
In the UK our handbrake is activated by the hand. We are unique that way. We also play football with our feet.
Well, technically, it's the "parking brake" here, but I was referencing handbrake because he used the term.
I know you're being sarcastic, but it's interesting that Europe seemingly hasn't moved to foot-operated e-brakes.
We have enough pedals already, thank you.
I live in the City of Paterson and people here cannot drive for shit! I swear the OP wrote this specifically about Jersey.
I didn't even know they existed.
I like my gear stick and handbrake just where they are.
"Moving on"? Why, is it superior in any way?
InvincibleAgent
Member
Most people use blinkers in Oregon. People who don't stand out.
I didn't mean moving on in that way, just that the US seems to be migrating to it for whatever reason.
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