Scared of driving in the US
Mar 28th 2010, 8:29 am
#76
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Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Lebanon, TN, US
Posts: 24
Re: Scared of driving in the US
I also want to add that the concept of 4 way stop signs is soooo much better than a roundabout. Roundabouts are fine with sensible traffic levels but if they have high traffic then the selfish gits queue across them blocking people trying to go across perpendicular to them!
Mar 28th 2010, 8:44 pm
#77
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 151
Re: Scared of driving in the US
I was a little nervous when i first drove in NJ on holiday in Feb, but that was mainly down to the snow and driving an automatic in the snow (never a great combination, give me a manual any day in that situation).
However I have spent the past 5 years living in france, so driving on the "wrong" side is second nature now, and I must say, after getting used to the logic over there, driving in the US is so much easier than driving in Europe.
I'd say it's similar to driving in Australia, nice wide roads, no cars parked in the middle of them as in Europe, and much better signed etc.
Can't wait to get back over there.
However I have spent the past 5 years living in france, so driving on the "wrong" side is second nature now, and I must say, after getting used to the logic over there, driving in the US is so much easier than driving in Europe.
I'd say it's similar to driving in Australia, nice wide roads, no cars parked in the middle of them as in Europe, and much better signed etc.
Can't wait to get back over there.
Mar 28th 2010, 10:29 pm
#78
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Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,427
Re: Scared of driving in the US
As for the automatic v stick -- I've driven both in the snow and other adverse weather. Personally, I think that an atuo combined with traction control & anti-lock brakes is wonderful -- less to worry about. My present car is German and it was one of the few sedans with a stick -- but they advised that the traction control was not as good.
I owned sticks for 25 years and still rent them abroad. I've come to like the auto's better.
Mar 28th 2010, 10:44 pm
#79
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Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Southwestern Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,902
Re: Scared of driving in the US
Most 15 year olds figure it out pretty quick. It's not difficult.
Put the gear selector in "D" (for "Drive") the pedal on the right makes the car go, the pedal on the left makes it stop, if you want to exit the car, put the selector into the "P" (for "Park") position first. You don't have to worry about turn indicators here, you'll seldom use the brakes... Most US drivers can drive, eat a full meal, apply makeup/shave and carry on a cellphone conversation simultaneously.
Put the gear selector in "D" (for "Drive") the pedal on the right makes the car go, the pedal on the left makes it stop, if you want to exit the car, put the selector into the "P" (for "Park") position first. You don't have to worry about turn indicators here, you'll seldom use the brakes... Most US drivers can drive, eat a full meal, apply makeup/shave and carry on a cellphone conversation simultaneously.
But, honestly it is 10 times easier driving here using an automatic car. The first time you go out driving will be a bit weird on the other side of the road, but you will get used to it very quickly. It will feel like a breeze compared to back home if you drive an automatic.
On the other hand, when I go back home to visit I never drive, because I am scared I'll forget what side of the road I am on, not to mention using a gear shift (now that's hard if you haven't driven in a country for 22 years).
Mar 29th 2010, 6:25 am
#80
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 151
Re: Scared of driving in the US
You are hilarious!
But, honestly it is 10 times easier driving here using an automatic car. The first time you go out driving will be a bit weird on the other side of the road, but you will get used to it very quickly. It will feel like a breeze compared to back home if you drive an automatic.
On the other hand, when I go back home to visit I never drive, because I am scared I'll forget what side of the road I am on, not to mention using a gear shift (now that's hard if you haven't driven in a country for 22 years).
But, honestly it is 10 times easier driving here using an automatic car. The first time you go out driving will be a bit weird on the other side of the road, but you will get used to it very quickly. It will feel like a breeze compared to back home if you drive an automatic.
On the other hand, when I go back home to visit I never drive, because I am scared I'll forget what side of the road I am on, not to mention using a gear shift (now that's hard if you haven't driven in a country for 22 years).
Mar 29th 2010, 4:16 pm
#81
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
Re: Scared of driving in the US
I've moved over to the Boston area this year & i'll have to say the standard of driving in this area is really bad & it gets worse when you move out to Natick/Framingham.
In the UK we moan about the state of the road surface, drivers who refuse to move over from middle lane & who drive to close but we have it good in the UK.
I never feel unsafe driving at home or even in Europe(France, Italy & Germany) but here its just madness, trucks with no speed restriction pulling 70-80mph, cars drifting from lane to lane, driving so close to your car you cant even see their headlights in your rear view, cutting you up at junctions & as for the junction design and surfaces well lets just say its from the dark ages. I don't know if its just me but it seems that when the yanks get behind a wheel they switch off to everyone around them & continue as if they are the only ones on the road. So far in my three months here I feel that this country needs a good kick up the backside and as for the anti healthcare lobby
In the UK we moan about the state of the road surface, drivers who refuse to move over from middle lane & who drive to close but we have it good in the UK.
I never feel unsafe driving at home or even in Europe(France, Italy & Germany) but here its just madness, trucks with no speed restriction pulling 70-80mph, cars drifting from lane to lane, driving so close to your car you cant even see their headlights in your rear view, cutting you up at junctions & as for the junction design and surfaces well lets just say its from the dark ages. I don't know if its just me but it seems that when the yanks get behind a wheel they switch off to everyone around them & continue as if they are the only ones on the road. So far in my three months here I feel that this country needs a good kick up the backside and as for the anti healthcare lobby
Mar 29th 2010, 4:22 pm
#82
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 151
Re: Scared of driving in the US
I've moved over to the Boston area this year & i'll have to say the standard of driving in this area is really bad & it gets worse when you move out to Natick/Framingham.
In the UK we moan about the state of the road surface, drivers who refuse to move over from middle lane & who drive to close but we have it good in the UK.
I never feel unsafe driving at home or even in Europe(France, Italy & Germany) but here its just madness, trucks with no speed restriction pulling 70-80mph, cars drifting from lane to lane, driving so close to your car you cant even see their headlights in your rear view, cutting you up at junctions & as for the junction design and surfaces well lets just say its from the dark ages. I don't know if its just me but it seems that when the yanks get behind a wheel they switch off to everyone around them & continue as if they are the only ones on the road. So far in my three months here I feel that this country needs a good kick up the backside and as for the anti healthcare lobby
In the UK we moan about the state of the road surface, drivers who refuse to move over from middle lane & who drive to close but we have it good in the UK.
I never feel unsafe driving at home or even in Europe(France, Italy & Germany) but here its just madness, trucks with no speed restriction pulling 70-80mph, cars drifting from lane to lane, driving so close to your car you cant even see their headlights in your rear view, cutting you up at junctions & as for the junction design and surfaces well lets just say its from the dark ages. I don't know if its just me but it seems that when the yanks get behind a wheel they switch off to everyone around them & continue as if they are the only ones on the road. So far in my three months here I feel that this country needs a good kick up the backside and as for the anti healthcare lobby
Want to see mad driving, drive around the Arc de Triomphe.
Mar 29th 2010, 4:22 pm
#83
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: Scared of driving in the US
I've moved over to the Boston area this year & i'll have to say the standard of driving in this area is really bad & it gets worse when you move out to Natick/Framingham.
In the UK we moan about the state of the road surface, drivers who refuse to move over from middle lane & who drive to close but we have it good in the UK.
I never feel unsafe driving at home or even in Europe(France, Italy & Germany) but here its just madness, trucks with no speed restriction pulling 70-80mph, cars drifting from lane to lane, driving so close to your car you cant even see their headlights in your rear view, cutting you up at junctions & as for the junction design and surfaces well lets just say its from the dark ages. I don't know if its just me but it seems that when the yanks get behind a wheel they switch off to everyone around them & continue as if they are the only ones on the road. So far in my three months here I feel that this country needs a good kick up the backside and as for the anti healthcare lobby
In the UK we moan about the state of the road surface, drivers who refuse to move over from middle lane & who drive to close but we have it good in the UK.
I never feel unsafe driving at home or even in Europe(France, Italy & Germany) but here its just madness, trucks with no speed restriction pulling 70-80mph, cars drifting from lane to lane, driving so close to your car you cant even see their headlights in your rear view, cutting you up at junctions & as for the junction design and surfaces well lets just say its from the dark ages. I don't know if its just me but it seems that when the yanks get behind a wheel they switch off to everyone around them & continue as if they are the only ones on the road. So far in my three months here I feel that this country needs a good kick up the backside and as for the anti healthcare lobby
Mar 29th 2010, 4:23 pm
#84
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Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,427
Re: Scared of driving in the US
Mar 29th 2010, 4:28 pm
#85
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Posts: 8,427
Re: Scared of driving in the US
My father is 88 years old and he has renewed his hatred of the Republican party. Of course, he was a young worshiper of Saint Franklin Delano Roosevelt. My dad's healthcare is taken care of -- it is his health I worry about. Fortunately, he has low blood pressure. I mirror him a lot in MY medical condition except mom left me her eyesight and high blood pressure.
Mar 29th 2010, 5:51 pm
#86
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Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Palmyra, NY
Posts: 2,130
Re: Scared of driving in the US
Turning right on a red is a good idea as long as people still realise that they need to treat it as a stop sign and actually STOP before they make the right turn!
Driving is the US is no problem. If you're anything more than a poor driver in the UK, you'll be an average or better driver in the US irrespective of which side of the road/car you're on.
...Driving is the US is no problem. If you're anything more than a poor driver in the UK, you'll be an average or better driver in the US irrespective of which side of the road/car you're on.
Mar 29th 2010, 6:30 pm
#87
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Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678
Re: Scared of driving in the US
There was a lot of tax cuts over the years instead of maintaining the infrastructure. That is why it is estimated that the US will need to spend over $1 trillion to repair and maintain the current infrastructure.
Mar 29th 2010, 6:53 pm
#88
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Scared of driving in the US
I also want to add that the concept of 4 way stop signs is soooo much better than a roundabout. Roundabouts are fine with sensible traffic levels but if they have high traffic then the selfish gits queue across them blocking people trying to go across perpendicular to them!
Mar 29th 2010, 6:55 pm
#89
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Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Scared of driving in the US
My neck of the woods....and the road care here in winter is awesomely shit...even back roads of Maine are in better shape
