Why can't Americans drive ?
Jun 12th 2007, 4:43 pm
#46
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: UK to PA
Posts: 281
Re: Why can't Americans drive ?
I concur, worst drivers in the world.
I think the main reason for it is that they are too busy yacking on the phone, drinking 32oz coffees and eating burgers; Americans spend so much time in the car they feel they have to "Multi-task", as it were.
Other reasons why they are so bad:
- The driving test is not really a test, is it, more of a joke, hence people who would fail the test in Europe can easily get on the road.
- Poor Traffic laws - because they do not do lane discipline, it encourages people to swerve around between cars. Equally, the slow ones who just mong it along in the same lane.....well, they are not doing anything wrong are they? And because they are in the way, it encourages other people to swerve around......and so it goes.
- Zero patience. In this now now now and me me me society, there is an overriding sense of righteousness on American roads (you can call it rudeness, actually) - if people were a bit more tolerant of each other it would be better.
- Drunken Drivers - prolific.
I think the main reason for it is that they are too busy yacking on the phone, drinking 32oz coffees and eating burgers; Americans spend so much time in the car they feel they have to "Multi-task", as it were.
Other reasons why they are so bad:
- The driving test is not really a test, is it, more of a joke, hence people who would fail the test in Europe can easily get on the road.
- Poor Traffic laws - because they do not do lane discipline, it encourages people to swerve around between cars. Equally, the slow ones who just mong it along in the same lane.....well, they are not doing anything wrong are they? And because they are in the way, it encourages other people to swerve around......and so it goes.
- Zero patience. In this now now now and me me me society, there is an overriding sense of righteousness on American roads (you can call it rudeness, actually) - if people were a bit more tolerant of each other it would be better.
- Drunken Drivers - prolific.
Here, Here I agree with this totally!!!
Jun 12th 2007, 4:51 pm
#48
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 387
Re: Why can't Americans drive ?
One thing I have noticed is the behaviour of drivers when an emergency vehicle is coming towards them, on the opposite side of the road. Even on a wide four or six lane road with light traffic they come to a complete stop until the ambulance/police car/whatever has passed by. Does this happen elsewhere? The AZ driver manual only says you need to stop when the emergency vehicle is travelling in the same direction as you are.
Jun 12th 2007, 5:49 pm
#49
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: Why can't Americans drive ?
I think it's more that it's not required than that the trainers do a bad job.
That I totally agree with.
Really? Where?
I've lived all over this country and havent noticed that at all. There are good drivers and bad drivers everywhere.
Totally agree with this as well. Unfortunately, the only people that vote in this country are the elderly. Also, the vast majority this country is obviously set up for driving: if you can't drive, you're seriously incapacitated. Because of this, we'll never have sensible license revocation laws.
Yes, arrogance is a uniquely American trait (he says as he reads yet another thread here/article in the British press about how all of us Americans are complete fools and how superior everything and everyone in the UK is.) 
I agree with what you're saying, though. People have become much less considerate on the roads than they were when I learned to drive. I think it's mainly because the volume on American roads has skyrocketed in the past few decades and the infrastructure hasn't caught up yet. People get frustrated and act like assholes.
Having said that, it's a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. I've noticed that most people are driving reasonably while a few are causing multiple problems everywhere they go. It's the old 80/20 rule.
2. The driving test is way too easy to pass.
3. There is no social stigma in some areas if you drive without a license.
4. Driving standards/techniques are very different in different areas.
5. Bad Eyesight of many elderly drivers is not grounds for disqualification.
6. Arrogance is an American epidemic "My truck, My road, My way".
I agree with what you're saying, though. People have become much less considerate on the roads than they were when I learned to drive. I think it's mainly because the volume on American roads has skyrocketed in the past few decades and the infrastructure hasn't caught up yet. People get frustrated and act like assholes.
Having said that, it's a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. I've noticed that most people are driving reasonably while a few are causing multiple problems everywhere they go. It's the old 80/20 rule.
Last edited by Hiro11; Jun 12th 2007 at 5:52 pm.
Jun 12th 2007, 6:06 pm
#50
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: Why can't Americans drive ?
In AZ you have to move to the left (even on a two lane road) and slow down/proceed with caution.
One thing I have noticed is the behaviour of drivers when an emergency vehicle is coming towards them, on the opposite side of the road. Even on a wide four or six lane road with light traffic they come to a complete stop until the ambulance/police car/whatever has passed by. Does this happen elsewhere? The AZ driver manual only says you need to stop when the emergency vehicle is travelling in the same direction as you are.
One thing I have noticed is the behaviour of drivers when an emergency vehicle is coming towards them, on the opposite side of the road. Even on a wide four or six lane road with light traffic they come to a complete stop until the ambulance/police car/whatever has passed by. Does this happen elsewhere? The AZ driver manual only says you need to stop when the emergency vehicle is travelling in the same direction as you are.
When you have a big firetruck with 750 gallons of water inside heading down the road (and a ton of inertia--those things don't stop on a dime by any strech) I prefer to give them as much room as possible to get to where they are going.
Jun 12th 2007, 6:35 pm
#52
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Jun 12th 2007, 8:10 pm
#56
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Jun 12th 2007, 8:50 pm
#57
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,820
Re: Why can't Americans drive ?
It's very beautiful, full of street side cafes and rich people sitting in them, About a mile north of the center on route 50, turn right and there is the nearest thing to a real English pub I have seen over here. 'The Old Bryan Inn'
Jun 12th 2007, 8:52 pm
#58
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: HMP Strangeways
Posts: 5,206
Re: Why can't Americans drive ?
I blame the Police.....Its all their fault !!!!. if they weren't there, no one would slow down or be frightened when they saw them across the highway ?.For those of you who said they have faults with their driving,I think its great. Just think, you too could be the cause of an accident because you werent competant enough or be bothered to increase your driving skills once you passed your original test.I just hope you don't own or fire a gun. because a vehicle is just as much a lethal weapon,with the same results........There are no excuses for bad driving or stupidity.
Jun 12th 2007, 8:53 pm
#59
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Why can't Americans drive ?
Oh !! shut up.... we have to help contol the population explosion...