Driving in the US
Aug 27th 2007, 6:00 pm
#16
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,717
Re: Driving in the US
I arrived in Houston after a delayed 26 hours journey. It was 2 a.m. I had only ever driven in the UK, Kos, and Cyprus before.
I jumped in to a bright orange Ford Mustang convertible and left George Bush Intercontinental Airport feeling tired and stressed.
The roads were wider, marked differently and signs were confusing (ie Freeway signs did not necessarily hang over the lane they related to).
I encountered my first ever flashing red traffic light - WTF! I had no idea what it meant; luckily at 3am nobody was there to give a hoot.
I arrived at my hotel at 3:30am, not before almost missing the hotel and quickly jumping off the freeway. In my haste I exited, and looked the wrong way (well, the right way if your British) to check for traffic. I pulled straight in front of a car doing 50mph! Figuring I could avoid an accident by accelerating I stabbed the accelerator to the floor and roared off - only to find the car I cut up was a pissed off cop who had been about to pass me and was now left in my dust trail. Lights flash, choice words are screamed at me (AT GUNPOINT - "driver, exit the vehicle. driver let me see your hands etc" all very scary). After explaining my lack of US driving experience the cop lightened up and joked with me. He wrote up a simple warning, shook my hand and wished me on my way.
So my first driving experience was unforgettable
I jumped in to a bright orange Ford Mustang convertible and left George Bush Intercontinental Airport feeling tired and stressed.
The roads were wider, marked differently and signs were confusing (ie Freeway signs did not necessarily hang over the lane they related to).
I encountered my first ever flashing red traffic light - WTF! I had no idea what it meant; luckily at 3am nobody was there to give a hoot.
I arrived at my hotel at 3:30am, not before almost missing the hotel and quickly jumping off the freeway. In my haste I exited, and looked the wrong way (well, the right way if your British) to check for traffic. I pulled straight in front of a car doing 50mph! Figuring I could avoid an accident by accelerating I stabbed the accelerator to the floor and roared off - only to find the car I cut up was a pissed off cop who had been about to pass me and was now left in my dust trail. Lights flash, choice words are screamed at me (AT GUNPOINT - "driver, exit the vehicle. driver let me see your hands etc" all very scary). After explaining my lack of US driving experience the cop lightened up and joked with me. He wrote up a simple warning, shook my hand and wished me on my way.
So my first driving experience was unforgettable
How was your first time driving in the US?
Was you nervous, was it confusing for you, did you nearly, or did have an accident? Did you get used to it quickly? Did you have problems when you traveled back to England and needed to drive there?
Do you have any tips/suggestions that helped you get used to the American way of driving?
I've been driving in England for 8 years ~ But the concept of driving over here just puts the fear of God in me. It's silly really because I know *how* to drive, it's just I still have a number of those "Stomp your foot in the passenger foot well breaking moments" in my Husbands car when he is driving because of the other cars coming the "wrong way" at me!
I just have a fear that if I was let loose on my own here, I'd have one of those stomping moments and cause an accident. I think I may go to a drivers school for some lessons here with someone experienced.
Was you nervous, was it confusing for you, did you nearly, or did have an accident? Did you get used to it quickly? Did you have problems when you traveled back to England and needed to drive there?
Do you have any tips/suggestions that helped you get used to the American way of driving?
I've been driving in England for 8 years ~ But the concept of driving over here just puts the fear of God in me. It's silly really because I know *how* to drive, it's just I still have a number of those "Stomp your foot in the passenger foot well breaking moments" in my Husbands car when he is driving because of the other cars coming the "wrong way" at me!
I just have a fear that if I was let loose on my own here, I'd have one of those stomping moments and cause an accident. I think I may go to a drivers school for some lessons here with someone experienced.
Aug 27th 2007, 11:25 pm
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3,264
Re: Driving in the US
Driving here's pretty easy I think driving on the 'wrong' side of the road is not much of a problem. But I hate trying to get on the highway other drivers don't pull over and they don't slow down, it's every man for himself out there
I don't have sat nav, and I got lost in a dodgy part of Harrisburg the other day after dropping someone at the train station, that was a bit hairy.
I don't have sat nav, and I got lost in a dodgy part of Harrisburg the other day after dropping someone at the train station, that was a bit hairy.
Aug 28th 2007, 12:17 am
#19
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,105
Re: Driving in the US
How was your first time driving in the US?
Was you nervous, was it confusing for you, did you nearly, or did have an accident? Did you get used to it quickly? Did you have problems when you traveled back to England and needed to drive there?
Do you have any tips/suggestions that helped you get used to the American way of driving?
I've been driving in England for 8 years ~ But the concept of driving over here just puts the fear of God in me. It's silly really because I know *how* to drive, it's just I still have a number of those "Stomp your foot in the passenger foot well breaking moments" in my Husbands car when he is driving because of the other cars coming the "wrong way" at me!
I just have a fear that if I was let loose on my own here, I'd have one of those stomping moments and cause an accident. I think I may go to a drivers school for some lessons here with someone experienced.
Was you nervous, was it confusing for you, did you nearly, or did have an accident? Did you get used to it quickly? Did you have problems when you traveled back to England and needed to drive there?
Do you have any tips/suggestions that helped you get used to the American way of driving?
I've been driving in England for 8 years ~ But the concept of driving over here just puts the fear of God in me. It's silly really because I know *how* to drive, it's just I still have a number of those "Stomp your foot in the passenger foot well breaking moments" in my Husbands car when he is driving because of the other cars coming the "wrong way" at me!
I just have a fear that if I was let loose on my own here, I'd have one of those stomping moments and cause an accident. I think I may go to a drivers school for some lessons here with someone experienced.
Driving on the left when I go back to England is second nature...again I don't think about it. Good luck.
Aug 28th 2007, 12:25 am
#20
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 86
Re: Driving in the US
haha thanks for all the horror stories!! 
I think it's just going to be a case of taking a deep breath and going with it and stay out the sight of any cops!
I think it's just going to be a case of taking a deep breath and going with it and stay out the sight of any cops!
Aug 28th 2007, 12:28 am
#21
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Aug 28th 2007, 2:27 am
#22
Twice half his height
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Central Mississississippippi
Posts: 443
Re: Driving in the US
I've only had to drive once over there when I was last on a visit. I pulled out of a junction, turned right, and casually just moved across to the left of the road and drove on. It took a few moments to realise what was wrong, and after that I decided I need to stop before another car or a cop came by.
I'm terrified of having to drive over there on my own. British roads don't bother me at all, but it's the whole getting used to being on the other side of the car, not necessarily the road.
Parking is the main thing I am not looking forward to. They have parking lots where each space is at a 45 degree angle to the through lanes, not 90 degrees like we have. I hate, and just can't do forward parking at 90 degrees here, I always reverse in. I am not going to be able to do that there, I'll have to swing the car into the space, and I am pretty sure I'll clip something within the first trip to Walmart.
I'm terrified of having to drive over there on my own. British roads don't bother me at all, but it's the whole getting used to being on the other side of the car, not necessarily the road.
Parking is the main thing I am not looking forward to. They have parking lots where each space is at a 45 degree angle to the through lanes, not 90 degrees like we have. I hate, and just can't do forward parking at 90 degrees here, I always reverse in. I am not going to be able to do that there, I'll have to swing the car into the space, and I am pretty sure I'll clip something within the first trip to Walmart.
Aug 28th 2007, 2:31 am
#23
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: Driving in the US
I've only had to drive once over there when I was last on a visit. I pulled out of a junction, turned right, and casually just moved across to the left of the road and drove on. It took a few moments to realise what was wrong, and after that I decided I need to stop before another car or a cop came by.
I'm terrified of having to drive over there on my own. British roads don't bother me at all, but it's the whole getting used to being on the other side of the car, not necessarily the road.
Parking is the main thing I am not looking forward to. They have parking lots where each space is at a 45 degree angle to the through lanes, not 90 degrees like we have. I hate, and just can't do forward parking at 90 degrees here, I always reverse in. I am not going to be able to do that there, I'll have to swing the car into the space, and I am pretty sure I'll clip something within the first trip to Walmart.
I'm terrified of having to drive over there on my own. British roads don't bother me at all, but it's the whole getting used to being on the other side of the car, not necessarily the road.
Parking is the main thing I am not looking forward to. They have parking lots where each space is at a 45 degree angle to the through lanes, not 90 degrees like we have. I hate, and just can't do forward parking at 90 degrees here, I always reverse in. I am not going to be able to do that there, I'll have to swing the car into the space, and I am pretty sure I'll clip something within the first trip to Walmart.
Are you driving a big vehicle?
Aug 28th 2007, 2:35 am
#24
Twice half his height
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Central Mississississippippi
Posts: 443
Re: Driving in the US
I'll go to the very far end of the parking lot where no one else parks, and attempt it a few times. Probably just stay there and walk to the doors too!
Aug 28th 2007, 2:59 am
#25
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: Driving in the US
DH does not have his license yet, never had one in the UK, however he must get one here full stop, it makes no sense for him not to. He's been here 4 years, so has had the opportunity to sit back and observe and learn routes etc.
Well we've been doing some practice driving around our development and it tickles me because he said he is comfortable making left turns instead of right ones. Now why the difference I don't know???
Well we've been doing some practice driving around our development and it tickles me because he said he is comfortable making left turns instead of right ones. Now why the difference I don't know???
Aug 28th 2007, 4:11 am
#26
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: Driving in the US
DH does not have his license yet, never had one in the UK, however he must get one here full stop, it makes no sense for him not to. He's been here 4 years, so has had the opportunity to sit back and observe and learn routes etc.
Well we've been doing some practice driving around our development and it tickles me because he said he is comfortable making left turns instead of right ones. Now why the difference I don't know???
Well we've been doing some practice driving around our development and it tickles me because he said he is comfortable making left turns instead of right ones. Now why the difference I don't know???
I didn't drive either in the UK. I knew I would have to when we moved to Texas and decided to go for it as soon as I could when we arrived...this was almost 20 years ago now. I did the written test the first week we arrived and every evening the OH arrived home from work I would drive around for an hour or two with him to get used to the roads and the different signs and lights etc. I took my driving test a few weeks later, passed, and have enjoyed driving ever since!
We had a very old chevvy Caprice, that car was huge but also very comfortable and I alway parked it way out in any parking lots as I was scared of hitting something. It seemed so wide!
Aug 28th 2007, 7:51 am
#28
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 3,338
Re: Driving in the US
Driving is simple here. In fact, its so easy, feel free to completely switch off - cars just about drive themselves nowadays, don't they? Don't worry about the other people on the road - it's your road and you own it. If someone is in your way, just violently swerve around them. If someone is behind you and wanting to get past, just make sure you hog your lane and make them wait. Never ever indicate or use your mirror either.
Instead of concentrating on driving, use your time on the road to get all those time consuming chores done, such as eating breakfast and drinking massive mugs of coffee. Do your hair and put your make up on, too. One thing you absolutely must do is talk on your cell phone from the second you leave home until the second you get to your destination.
Finally, at night, make sure you drive to your favourite bar and valet park. Its really handy, valet parking, because after drinking 10 bottles of beer, who can walk all that way to where you parked? That nice valet chap will go and fetch your car, and for an extra tip, will help you into your seat and send you on your merry way home.
Instead of concentrating on driving, use your time on the road to get all those time consuming chores done, such as eating breakfast and drinking massive mugs of coffee. Do your hair and put your make up on, too. One thing you absolutely must do is talk on your cell phone from the second you leave home until the second you get to your destination.
Finally, at night, make sure you drive to your favourite bar and valet park. Its really handy, valet parking, because after drinking 10 bottles of beer, who can walk all that way to where you parked? That nice valet chap will go and fetch your car, and for an extra tip, will help you into your seat and send you on your merry way home.
Aug 28th 2007, 8:25 am
#29
Militant Ginger
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Wrong Side of the Hudson River
Posts: 2,311
Re: Driving in the US
Driving is simple here. In fact, its so easy, feel free to completely switch off - cars just about drive themselves nowadays, don't they? Don't worry about the other people on the road - it's your road and you own it. If someone is in your way, just violently swerve around them. If someone is behind you and wanting to get past, just make sure you hog your lane and make them wait. Never ever indicate or use your mirror either.
Instead of concentrating on driving, use your time on the road to get all those time consuming chores done, such as eating breakfast and drinking massive mugs of coffee. Do your hair and put your make up on, too. One thing you absolutely must do is talk on your cell phone from the second you leave home until the second you get to your destination.
Finally, at night, make sure you drive to your favourite bar and valet park. Its really handy, valet parking, because after drinking 10 bottles of beer, who can walk all that way to where you parked? That nice valet chap will go and fetch your car, and for an extra tip, will help you into your seat and send you on your merry way home.
Instead of concentrating on driving, use your time on the road to get all those time consuming chores done, such as eating breakfast and drinking massive mugs of coffee. Do your hair and put your make up on, too. One thing you absolutely must do is talk on your cell phone from the second you leave home until the second you get to your destination.
Finally, at night, make sure you drive to your favourite bar and valet park. Its really handy, valet parking, because after drinking 10 bottles of beer, who can walk all that way to where you parked? That nice valet chap will go and fetch your car, and for an extra tip, will help you into your seat and send you on your merry way home.
EVERYBODY I know drives to the bars. It's insane. As long as you're sober enough to stand up, you're sober enough to drive. Unless you get pulled over.
Everybody thinks I'm nuts when I get a taxi if I'm having a couple of beers.
Aug 28th 2007, 8:45 am
#30
N99sea
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 248
Re: Driving in the US
I was definitely nervous the first time I drove over here...and it took a long time to feel more relaxed about driving on the right. Having said that, I've never really liked driving anyhow even in the U.K., guess it's just a bit of a phobia for me. I have to drive here though, don't have a choice (need to drop daughter off at daycare and then get to work). I live in Seattle and drivers aren't as mad here as in other places (or so they say). You could always take a "refresher" driving course over here if you have worries.
Naomi.
Naomi.
