Why is driving in the States so difficult (To me!)
Discussion
Whenever I read a travel brochure it raves about how easy it is to drive in the USA. I have been at least 10 times, Florida mainly and find it really difficult. The signposting is dreadful, interstates are way below the condition of UK motorways, the roads seem more dangerous with poor markings and I always, always get lost. I cant even seem to come off a road at the right junction. Surely I can't be the only one?
I've never had an issue
I've always thought it to be a lot easier, clear overhead signs instead of half worn lane markings. Traffic signals above the relevent lane instead of 100yds away on a pole.
Wide junctions with plenty of visibility and room to park on the side of the road where 2 way traffic can still pass.
I've always thought it to be a lot easier, clear overhead signs instead of half worn lane markings. Traffic signals above the relevent lane instead of 100yds away on a pole.
Wide junctions with plenty of visibility and room to park on the side of the road where 2 way traffic can still pass.
Whilst I never have a problem I can understand that if the OP regularly takes wrong turnings and gets lost then things can get a bit stressful, as on the divided carriageways (Dual carriageways) a U turn can involves an exit ramp , ah but I can't hang a left here, OK so I'll go right and look for oh bollards, where the frick am I now.
A good sat nav and one that recognises which side of the road a particular destination address is so gets you to approach from the correct direction is a big help.
Route preparation is a big help satnav or no satnav.
A good sat nav and one that recognises which side of the road a particular destination address is so gets you to approach from the correct direction is a big help.
Route preparation is a big help satnav or no satnav.
Having the right sort of car helps too so other drivers don't mess you around. A preferably white Crown Vic (whilst like driving a tennis court fitted with recirculating ball steering) has the same strange calming effect on other traffic as you find in UK with a white Volvo estate blinged up with disco lights and funny battenburg patterns on the side. It really pisses 'em off when you stick to the limit as the buggers daren't overtake or cut you up.
k things up.F i F said:
Having the right sort of car helps too so other drivers don't mess you around. A preferably white Crown Vic (whilst like driving a tennis court fitted with recirculating ball steering) has the same strange calming effect on other traffic as you find in UK with a white Volvo estate blinged up with disco lights and funny battenburg patterns on the side. It really pisses 'em off when you stick to the limit as the buggers daren't overtake or cut you up.
My Crown Vic doesn't have the same effect over here unfortunately.
Thankyou4calling said:
Whenever I read a travel brochure it raves about how easy it is to drive in the USA. I have been at least 10 times, Florida mainly and find it really difficult. The signposting is dreadful, interstates are way below the condition of UK motorways, the roads seem more dangerous with poor markings and I always, always get lost. I cant even seem to come off a road at the right junction. Surely I can't be the only one?
You're not alone I found it difficult as well. For me it was having to drive a left hand drive car as well. I just didnt feel confident. We went again in Sept and my wife did all the driving thank god!Thankyou4calling said:
The signposting is dreadful, interstates are way below the condition of UK motorways, the roads seem more dangerous with poor markings and I always, always get lost.
I find their signposting to be much better than ours; just about ALL roads to be in far better condition than ours and markings to be exactly as much as required. In God knows how many 000's of miles, I have never got lost and no, I wasn't using satnav. Additionally, I find the standards of driving to be generally better and the manners and courtesy to be way beyond ours.In summary, I prefer driving over there, especially away from the large cities.
The States is one of the easiest places I've found to drive......... lived out there for 5 years and found it very simple then too......just got back last Friday from another 4 days business trip - covered about 600 miles without any incdient and really easy free flowing traffic.
In fact I commented to my passenger how easy it was and how I'd not found myself reaching for the horn at all......
In fact I commented to my passenger how easy it was and how I'd not found myself reaching for the horn at all......
I found it easy but I thought the driving standards were terrible so I on extra alert. Just general inattentiveness, mobile phone use, etc leading to wandering in the lanes and then the odd idiot that drivers like an utter loon swerving across numerous lanes at once. There are lots of cops around, though.
At least when people go 80 in Europe they pretty much know what they're doing (of course with some exceptions).
At least when people go 80 in Europe they pretty much know what they're doing (of course with some exceptions).
It's quite interesting to read some of these comments about US driving standards/ability.
I am English, but have lived in the US for around 10 years and I travel extensively here and abroad through work.
It is quite reasonable to state that the US has more than it's fair share of out-and-out lunatics, inconsiderate a-holes and doddering imbeciles. However, there are also plenty of the same back in the UK. I was there in September and it really was evident to me that overall driving standards have become abysmal, compared to pretty crappy just 10 years ago.
Having had a lot of experience plying the highways and byways in both countries, I would suggest that the US is less stressful, rather than less skillful. US main routes are bigger, wider and usually of equal or better surface quality (sun-belt state's concrete roads excepted)and overall are far less congested. Highway traffic moves considerably faster in my home state than it does in the UK - probably down to a lack of camera enforcement and radar detection equipment being legal, as much as open space to get your boot down.
Like it or loathe it, overtaking on either side helps traffic flow more smoothly - you just have to keep your wits about you.
Off the main routes, US roads have nothing on the rural counterparts in the UK - the only saving grace here is that you are far less likely to get busted for speeding, in that camera use is minimal (but growing) in this country.
The thing that really disappointed me about my most recent driving experience in England, was how bloody inconsiderate and downright aggressive so many drivers are.
Perhaps the fear of getting shot at makes the septics a little more forgiving?
I am English, but have lived in the US for around 10 years and I travel extensively here and abroad through work.
It is quite reasonable to state that the US has more than it's fair share of out-and-out lunatics, inconsiderate a-holes and doddering imbeciles. However, there are also plenty of the same back in the UK. I was there in September and it really was evident to me that overall driving standards have become abysmal, compared to pretty crappy just 10 years ago.
Having had a lot of experience plying the highways and byways in both countries, I would suggest that the US is less stressful, rather than less skillful. US main routes are bigger, wider and usually of equal or better surface quality (sun-belt state's concrete roads excepted)and overall are far less congested. Highway traffic moves considerably faster in my home state than it does in the UK - probably down to a lack of camera enforcement and radar detection equipment being legal, as much as open space to get your boot down.
Like it or loathe it, overtaking on either side helps traffic flow more smoothly - you just have to keep your wits about you.
Off the main routes, US roads have nothing on the rural counterparts in the UK - the only saving grace here is that you are far less likely to get busted for speeding, in that camera use is minimal (but growing) in this country.
The thing that really disappointed me about my most recent driving experience in England, was how bloody inconsiderate and downright aggressive so many drivers are.
Perhaps the fear of getting shot at makes the septics a little more forgiving?
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