You've got to laugh!

Best one in Calgary is: when things get a bit static in slip roads to your Deerfoot Trail due to some accident. Drivers in trucks just give up waiting and go off road (deep snow or not) to find the nearest road!
I ended up wishing I could do the same. Slim chance in my Oldsmobile Intrigue.!

You most certainly do have to pay more attention in the Uk when driving - because of the arrogant, me first, possessive nature of so many drivers over there. It was a revelation ot us when we first drove here that indicating your intention to change lanes was respected (usually - always exceptions) as opposed to the almost unversal English response of closing the gap so that you can't move over. Too many UK drivers think they own the road and will not let anyone move ahead of them into "their bit of road" while here, as someone said, there is just more room and so people are more relaxed.

The M25 round London scares the hell out of me, I will drive miles to avoid it, whereas here I find metropolitan racetracks nerve-racking but survivable.

And - a couple of other posts - why would anyone drive a manual shift over here when automatics are ubiquitous and allow you to concentrate on driving instead of being a boy racer? Curious thing the need of some people to hang onto old technology. I never understood it.

you do not have to be a boy racer to drive a manual car, it really is what some people prefer.
i find a lot of people in their huge suv`s think they are untouchable and driving an auto gives them one more reason to use their mobile and drink their timmy`s

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

Just browsing the forum and stumbled across this thread - it would seem that the driving in Canada and Australia has much in common..! (obviously without the -40c temp though!)

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

Just to add to this..

I have to rescind my earlier statements ....

I now have come to agree that Canadian drivers are just plain bad.. Having just driven for two and a half days coming back from the southern states we returned into Canada over the Lewistown bridge and then the driving standard took a violent nose dive….

I use to think all North American drivers were bad, well certainly in the Greater Toronto Area I think that they are by far the worse drivers I have ever known and provide the most unpredictable driving conditions I have ever driven in… that includes Paris and Milan..

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

Quick question.
My NS handbook says that you should sound your horn before overtaking and passing another vehicle. On my road trips I have never experienced this and wonder if it actually happens (or is taught).
The stopping for school buses is so good though.

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

Don't they stop for school buses in the UK..........here they have a bar that comes out when the driver is stopped to let the kids off...it is to prevent the kids running in front of the bus where the driver can't see them....so this big arm comes out and the kids must go around it and the driver sees them. neat huh!

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

I've mentioned this before but (from my observations) they drink and drive more.

I've been on nights out where 3-4 people have had 5-6 pints and jumped into the car.

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

maybe more people drive here.so therefore more cars on the road..more accidents by average

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

Good point. The last time I was in England I was much more nervous as a passenger because it didn't seem to matter where you went there were just cars and more cars. Very claustrophobic.

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

I know I thought drivers in Alabama were bad until I moved up here and saw REALLY bad drivers. There aren't that many road rage incidents but there is a glut of really awful drivers.

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

Ontario guide says the same thing. Never seen it done in practice though.

I dont think canadian drivers are any worse than UK...more distracted maybe, juggling a coffee and a cellphone, and maybe more inclined to slip into the zone while driving long straight undercrowded roads. Drink driving does seem more acceptable here though. Personally I think drivers of automatics are less likely to pay attention, as they dont have to concentrate as much, or anticipate gear changes, or use engine breaking etc, but its probably an unfair generalisation anyway. Canadian drivers (at least outside the GTA) seem a lot less agressive to me, which has to be a good thing. Scariest place I've driven was Detroit, they are just nuts, and the state of the roads doesnt help at all.

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

'Scuse me - but do you mean UK, or Canada?

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

Yes I have noticed this frequently too Iginla. All of my friends and people I see in restaurants over here are middle-aged, and all drink and drive....this is quite alien to me as nobody I knew in England ever did this when I was with them and to my knowledge just had it indocrinated into them that you just don't do this! I am used to it now, however I still would never do it.

Talking of the drivers - they are just crap! I live in Smallsville Canada and these people are just useless at driving. I had to laugh at the comment about shifting down gear and watching the car behind you almost die of heart failure because you didn't slam your foot on the brake! I am also guilty of this little "trick" but I do keep a close eye on them incase they run into the back of me, LOL!!!

Re: Road rage or bad driving?
 

Canada