|
Re: Driving in the US
Before coming to the US, I spent several years driving in Cairo, Egypt.
Even though I think the driving round these parts is really quite crappy, it is nothing compared to negotiating the streets of Cairo - and outside... For instance, even here people use headlights at night, and you don't get shaken down for Baksheesh after getting a 'police escort'.... |
Re: Driving in the US
Have tried the driving in Orlando which is not to bad, probably helped by the fact that every 2nd car is a tourist and has no bloody idea where they are going. On our arrival in June after getting very lost on way from airport to apartment my OH managed to turn off the freeway and by this time being very tired (his excuse turned directly left therefore wrong way he continued for a minute or two when we suddenly saw car coming straight at us ! panic happened so he promptly took the brand new hire car (9mile on clock at collection) straight over the central reservation. the sheer look of panic on his and the other drivers face was priceless.
His complaint whilst driving out there is where the hell are all the road signs ? and when there are road sign they are so close to the juntions its too late to move over. we do more U turns in 2 weeks than he does in a year. should be fun when we move out there, or maybe he will finally get the hang of it. |
Re: Driving in the US
One Friday afternoon, early in my career as a coach driver, my then boss told me I would have to go to England the next Tuesday. Realising that the Brits drive on the other side of the road I decided that some experience would benefit me once I crossed the Channel.
That Monday I went to my boss and told him that I wouldn't go to England, no matter how much he would pay me to do so. I told him that last Saturday I tried driving from Utrecht to Amsterdam on the left side of the road and I had never felt so scared and horrified..... :eek: |
Re: Driving in the US
Originally Posted by Toontje
(Post 5255552)
One Friday afternoon, early in my career as a coach driver, my then boss told me I would have to go to England the next Tuesday. Realising that the Brits drive on the other side of the road I decided that some experience would benefit me once I crossed the Channel.
That Monday I went to my boss and told him that I wouldn't go to England, no matter how much he would pay me to do so. I told him that last Saturday I tried driving from Utrecht to Amsterdam on the left side of the road and I had never felt so scared and horrified..... :eek: |
Re: Driving in the US
Good God. He pulled you over for a 2 second short pause?! Talk about anal!!
Originally Posted by lisag8070
(Post 5251151)
The first time I drove in US was about 5yrs ago in Tampa, we lived in an apartment complex and was lucky to have a strip mall right next door, anyway one saturday night I thought I'd be brave and drive to pick up the chinese, we had an expidition and I'd been driving it around the complex for weeks getting used to the size and everything, so packed my baby into the back and my brother (over for a hols) jumps in the front and off we went...I only went the way where I made right hand turns so turned right onto main road and then immediately turned right into the strip mall, (all the while telling my bro not to speak or put the radio on as I didn't want any distractions !) so there's a stop sign, so I stop, then start moving again and go a few more yards to the chinese....and yes a cop pulls up behind me and has a go at me telling me I didn't stop at the stop sign for long enough, apparently I paused for only 3 secs and I should of paused for 5 secs no lie, I was stunned, then he spends a good 10 mins checking my UK licence as he'd never seen one before, so I'm stood there red faced while everybody's watching, my chinese is getting cold and my bro is pissing himself laughing, he finally lets me go after another 10 min lecture ......
Needless to say it took me a good 5 months before I tried that again...:lol: |
Re: Driving in the US
Originally Posted by lisag8070
(Post 5251151)
The first time I drove in US was about 5yrs ago in Tampa, we lived in an apartment complex and was lucky to have a strip mall right next door, anyway one saturday night I thought I'd be brave and drive to pick up the chinese, we had an expidition and I'd been driving it around the complex for weeks getting used to the size and everything, so packed my baby into the back and my brother (over for a hols) jumps in the front and off we went...I only went the way where I made right hand turns so turned right onto main road and then immediately turned right into the strip mall, (all the while telling my bro not to speak or put the radio on as I didn't want any distractions !) so there's a stop sign, so I stop, then start moving again and go a few more yards to the chinese....and yes a cop pulls up behind me and has a go at me telling me I didn't stop at the stop sign for long enough, apparently I paused for only 3 secs and I should of paused for 5 secs no lie, I was stunned, then he spends a good 10 mins checking my UK licence as he'd never seen one before, so I'm stood there red faced while everybody's watching, my chinese is getting cold and my bro is pissing himself laughing, he finally lets me go after another 10 min lecture ......
Needless to say it took me a good 5 months before I tried that again...:lol: There is no set time that you must sit at a stop sign. You complied with the order to stop. Whether or not you sit there for 1 second or 5 seconds is irrelevant......as long as your wheels stop moving that's all you need to worry about. Reminds me of when I was pulled over for doing 74mph in a 65 zone with a Coach Load of people on, several years ago, by an Illinois State Trooper. As the vehicle had a Speed Limiter set at 68mph, I said to the Cop "Go Ahead and write the ticket for 74mph then. I have a Speed Limiter set at 68mph. As soon as I drop these people off, I'll gladly load the F*****g Thing up with a bunch of your Colleagues and we'll all take a bus ride and we can all take turns at trying to get this thing to go over 70mph.........which is a total waste of time 'cause it ain't going to happen in a month of Sundays. And then we can go to Court and watch the ticket being tossed":curse: Needless to say he gave my licence back to me, and headed to the nearest Dunkin' Donuts to drown his sorrows. :rofl: Nothing against Illinois' finest, but, this guy was a Major Horse's Ass! Jim (Coach Driver). |
Re: Driving in the US
Just a quick question..as can't remember from when I was in the US ....
Do you have to park the same way you are driving? Just watching a film, and saw cars parked on the same side of the road, facing both ways. It's illegal here, as I found out when I got a ticket when I first arrived :rolleyes: Just curiosity, thanks :) |
Re: Driving in the US
Originally Posted by Weirdstone
(Post 5260618)
Just a quick question..as can't remember from when I was in the US ....
Do you have to park the same way you are driving? Just watching a film, and saw cars parked on the same side of the road, facing both ways. It's illegal here, as I found out when I got a ticket when I first arrived :rolleyes: Just curiosity, thanks :) |
Re: Driving in the US
Originally Posted by Sally
(Post 5260937)
Yes you have to park facing the direction of travel, at least in California.
|
Re: Driving in the US
Hmm. Snowbunny or Sugarmooma or Toontje or any other Texas residents here, do you know if it's the law in Texas to park in the direction of travel???
I've parked many times on the other side of the road, but seeing as I'm on 90-day probation following my little rear-ender, I'm not keen to get another ticket for something as stupid as that. And yes, I've Googled it and come up with nothing! |
Re: Driving in the US
Originally Posted by dbj1000
(Post 5262295)
Hmm. Snowbunny or Sugarmooma or Toontje or any other Texas residents here, do you know if it's the law in Texas to park in the direction of travel???
I've parked many times on the other side of the road, but seeing as I'm on 90-day probation following my little rear-ender, I'm not keen to get another ticket for something as stupid as that. And yes, I've Googled it and come up with nothing! P.S. Love the Spaghetti Monster :lol: |
| All times are GMT -12. The time now is 6:13 pm. |
Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.