Driving in the USA - worse than here!
Discussion
Having recently returned from a nice holiday in Orlando, I can safely say I actually prefer driving in the UK.
In the US they just choose the lane (usually 3 or 4 lane highway) they're comfortable with, and just sit there at 65-75 mph in their big fat lard ass yank mobile and simply will not move (despite signs saying 'slower vehicles keep right'). As much as I hate middle lane morons in the UK, dear God it's nothing like as bad as in the 'States. To make matters worse, even the extremely long lorries get in on the act (they don't seem to have any speed restrictions?) and you can find yourself stuck for miles in a rolling road block.
The only way to make any real progress in to turn up the aggression, and weave in and out of the traffic...which I found fun, but wifey not so amused.
I used to like driving in the US, but something has gone wrong.
In the US they just choose the lane (usually 3 or 4 lane highway) they're comfortable with, and just sit there at 65-75 mph in their big fat lard ass yank mobile and simply will not move (despite signs saying 'slower vehicles keep right'). As much as I hate middle lane morons in the UK, dear God it's nothing like as bad as in the 'States. To make matters worse, even the extremely long lorries get in on the act (they don't seem to have any speed restrictions?) and you can find yourself stuck for miles in a rolling road block.
The only way to make any real progress in to turn up the aggression, and weave in and out of the traffic...which I found fun, but wifey not so amused.
I used to like driving in the US, but something has gone wrong.
Orlando is a tourist hotspot and seems to attract driving that you have described - thing is, the traffic usually keeps moving even it's too slow for you. Rarely seeen a traffic jam on the freeways over there, but I'm always in Nevada/California/Arizona/Utah on the West side.
How many potholes did you see?
How many potholes did you see?
Dr.Doofenshmirtz said:
Having recently returned from a nice holiday in Orlando, I can safely say I actually prefer driving in the UK.
In the US they just choose the lane (usually 3 or 4 lane highway) they're comfortable with, and just sit there at 65-75 mph in their big fat lard ass yank mobile and simply will not move (despite signs saying 'slower vehicles keep right'). As much as I hate middle lane morons in the UK, dear God it's nothing like as bad as in the 'States. To make matters worse, even the extremely long lorries get in on the act (they don't seem to have any speed restrictions?) and you can find yourself stuck for miles in a rolling road block.
The only way to make any real progress in to turn up the aggression, and weave in and out of the traffic...which I found fun, but wifey not so amused.
I used to like driving in the US, but something has gone wrong.
Must be recent, was ok back in March!In the US they just choose the lane (usually 3 or 4 lane highway) they're comfortable with, and just sit there at 65-75 mph in their big fat lard ass yank mobile and simply will not move (despite signs saying 'slower vehicles keep right'). As much as I hate middle lane morons in the UK, dear God it's nothing like as bad as in the 'States. To make matters worse, even the extremely long lorries get in on the act (they don't seem to have any speed restrictions?) and you can find yourself stuck for miles in a rolling road block.
The only way to make any real progress in to turn up the aggression, and weave in and out of the traffic...which I found fun, but wifey not so amused.
I used to like driving in the US, but something has gone wrong.
MLMs in the US are a problem, but then just undertake and be done with it. Don't get angry, get even.
If you think Florida is bad for trucks (I didn't think it was actually and I live there) then don't ever go through West Virginia! Morons the lot of them.
Dr.Doofenshmirtz said:
and weave in and out of the traffic...which I found fun, but wifey not so amused.
I used to like driving in the US, but something has gone wrong.
Wifey was right, in some states you can be ticketed for changing lane too aggressively. I used to like driving in the US, but something has gone wrong.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_...
Dr.Doofenshmirtz said:
Having recently returned from a nice holiday in Orlando, I can safely say I actually prefer driving in the UK.
In the US they just choose the lane (usually 3 or 4 lane highway) they're comfortable with, and just sit there at 65-75 mph in their big fat lard ass yank mobile and simply will not move (despite signs saying 'slower vehicles keep right'). As much as I hate middle lane morons in the UK, dear God it's nothing like as bad as in the 'States. To make matters worse, even the extremely long lorries get in on the act (they don't seem to have any speed restrictions?) and you can find yourself stuck for miles in a rolling road block.
The only way to make any real progress in to turn up the aggression, and weave in and out of the traffic...which I found fun, but wifey not so amused.
I used to like driving in the US, but something has gone wrong.
Maybe cos that's the speed limit, try going hoofing past and see how long you last. They are very strict on speeding but it makes everyone drive at the same speed and traffic flows well.In the US they just choose the lane (usually 3 or 4 lane highway) they're comfortable with, and just sit there at 65-75 mph in their big fat lard ass yank mobile and simply will not move (despite signs saying 'slower vehicles keep right'). As much as I hate middle lane morons in the UK, dear God it's nothing like as bad as in the 'States. To make matters worse, even the extremely long lorries get in on the act (they don't seem to have any speed restrictions?) and you can find yourself stuck for miles in a rolling road block.
The only way to make any real progress in to turn up the aggression, and weave in and out of the traffic...which I found fun, but wifey not so amused.
I used to like driving in the US, but something has gone wrong.
Nickyboy said:
Maybe cos that's the speed limit, try going hoofing past and see how long you last. They are very strict on speeding but it makes everyone drive at the same speed and traffic flows well.
You're right of course. They have bigger wider roads and if everyone sticks to 70 (which most it has to be said do) traffic does indeed flow very well. I'm just more used to cruising at 80-85, 70 felt way to slow in the Dodge Avenger R/T we had.I think the UK is a lot strickter on speeding though. They don't have the Scameras like we do. Not sure how the fines stack up compared to us though?
I love driving in Florida. We have a place just South of Naples.
To be honest, it is IMHO much better place to drive.
You need to be a little bit careful WRT speeding. 2 things to be aware of.
1. The 'bear in the air'. They have small planes that fly over the freeways and clock your speed and then have the bikes to pull you up. Note to self - driving a rental bright yellow Audi A4 cab with the roof down at 140mph isn't a great idea. Just got a telling off and a small fine!!
2. The cop cars, especially the state troopers have technology to clock you whilst you're driving in the opposite direction. Note 2 to self - it's probably not a good idea getting pulled at just under 100mph (in a 50mph) when you've been in the country less than 3 hours!!
. The chap was extremely pleasant and I obviously passed the attitude test as we chatted about the Dodge Charger I had rented before he sent me on my way.
Neither instance above was I driving like a cock - roads were clear, it was dry etc etc. The police seem to be extremely reasonable. No doubt if I was driving like a t
t weaving etc (especially in 1.) I would have been thrown in jail there (fair enough), but they were reasonable.
Cheers
The Moose
To be honest, it is IMHO much better place to drive.
You need to be a little bit careful WRT speeding. 2 things to be aware of.
1. The 'bear in the air'. They have small planes that fly over the freeways and clock your speed and then have the bikes to pull you up. Note to self - driving a rental bright yellow Audi A4 cab with the roof down at 140mph isn't a great idea. Just got a telling off and a small fine!!
2. The cop cars, especially the state troopers have technology to clock you whilst you're driving in the opposite direction. Note 2 to self - it's probably not a good idea getting pulled at just under 100mph (in a 50mph) when you've been in the country less than 3 hours!!
. The chap was extremely pleasant and I obviously passed the attitude test as we chatted about the Dodge Charger I had rented before he sent me on my way.Neither instance above was I driving like a cock - roads were clear, it was dry etc etc. The police seem to be extremely reasonable. No doubt if I was driving like a t
t weaving etc (especially in 1.) I would have been thrown in jail there (fair enough), but they were reasonable.Cheers
The Moose
The Moose said:
I love driving in Florida. We have a place just South of Naples.
To be honest, it is IMHO much better place to drive.
You need to be a little bit careful WRT speeding. 2 things to be aware of.
1. The 'bear in the air'. They have small planes that fly over the freeways and clock your speed and then have the bikes to pull you up. Note to self - driving a rental bright yellow Audi A4 cab with the roof down at 140mph isn't a great idea. Just got a telling off and a small fine!!
2. The cop cars, especially the state troopers have technology to clock you whilst you're driving in the opposite direction. Note 2 to self - it's probably not a good idea getting pulled at just under 100mph (in a 50mph) when you've been in the country less than 3 hours!!. The chap was extremely pleasant and I obviously passed the attitude test as we chatted about the Dodge Charger I had rented before he sent me on my way.
Neither instance above was I driving like a cock - roads were clear, it was dry etc etc. The police seem to be extremely reasonable. No doubt if I was driving like a tt weaving etc (especially in 1.) I would have been thrown in jail there (fair enough), but they were reasonable.
Cheers
The Moose
Is that Marco Island ? We lived in Naples for a year, then they told us to go home To be honest, it is IMHO much better place to drive.
You need to be a little bit careful WRT speeding. 2 things to be aware of.
1. The 'bear in the air'. They have small planes that fly over the freeways and clock your speed and then have the bikes to pull you up. Note to self - driving a rental bright yellow Audi A4 cab with the roof down at 140mph isn't a great idea. Just got a telling off and a small fine!!
2. The cop cars, especially the state troopers have technology to clock you whilst you're driving in the opposite direction. Note 2 to self - it's probably not a good idea getting pulled at just under 100mph (in a 50mph) when you've been in the country less than 3 hours!!
. The chap was extremely pleasant and I obviously passed the attitude test as we chatted about the Dodge Charger I had rented before he sent me on my way.Neither instance above was I driving like a cock - roads were clear, it was dry etc etc. The police seem to be extremely reasonable. No doubt if I was driving like a t
t weaving etc (especially in 1.) I would have been thrown in jail there (fair enough), but they were reasonable.Cheers
The Moose
The US is not the UK any b*gger can come and live here.Dr.Doofenshmirtz said:
I think the UK is a lot stricter on speeding though. They don't have the Scameras like we do. Not sure how the fines stack up compared to us though?
Really depends on the state as to how strict they are.For instance, Virginia you don't speed because there is a cop every 100 yards. But Mississippi, you might want to speed just get through the state, and no one would blame you.
marlinmunro said:
The Moose said:
I love driving in Florida. We have a place just South of Naples.
To be honest, it is IMHO much better place to drive.
You need to be a little bit careful WRT speeding. 2 things to be aware of.
1. The 'bear in the air'. They have small planes that fly over the freeways and clock your speed and then have the bikes to pull you up. Note to self - driving a rental bright yellow Audi A4 cab with the roof down at 140mph isn't a great idea. Just got a telling off and a small fine!!
2. The cop cars, especially the state troopers have technology to clock you whilst you're driving in the opposite direction. Note 2 to self - it's probably not a good idea getting pulled at just under 100mph (in a 50mph) when you've been in the country less than 3 hours!!. The chap was extremely pleasant and I obviously passed the attitude test as we chatted about the Dodge Charger I had rented before he sent me on my way.
Neither instance above was I driving like a cock - roads were clear, it was dry etc etc. The police seem to be extremely reasonable. No doubt if I was driving like a tt weaving etc (especially in 1.) I would have been thrown in jail there (fair enough), but they were reasonable.
Cheers
The Moose
Is that Marco Island ? We lived in Naples for a year, then they told us to go home To be honest, it is IMHO much better place to drive.
You need to be a little bit careful WRT speeding. 2 things to be aware of.
1. The 'bear in the air'. They have small planes that fly over the freeways and clock your speed and then have the bikes to pull you up. Note to self - driving a rental bright yellow Audi A4 cab with the roof down at 140mph isn't a great idea. Just got a telling off and a small fine!!
2. The cop cars, especially the state troopers have technology to clock you whilst you're driving in the opposite direction. Note 2 to self - it's probably not a good idea getting pulled at just under 100mph (in a 50mph) when you've been in the country less than 3 hours!!
. The chap was extremely pleasant and I obviously passed the attitude test as we chatted about the Dodge Charger I had rented before he sent me on my way.Neither instance above was I driving like a cock - roads were clear, it was dry etc etc. The police seem to be extremely reasonable. No doubt if I was driving like a t
t weaving etc (especially in 1.) I would have been thrown in jail there (fair enough), but they were reasonable.Cheers
The Moose
The US is not the UK any b*gger can come and live here.Where abouts were you in Naples??
I like Naples but I don't think I would live there...unless I worked in bonita/further north.
Cheers
The Moose
When I went to SF/LA/Vegas back in June I found it fine. Must be the old Florida drivers. I found driving to be a pleasure and didn't have to deal with any idiots, but if you got them you could spot them about 3 seconds before they'd do something stupid due to the shocking driving over here. 
Can't say i've ever found it a problem. I'm there usually twice a year and don't really mind their style of driving.
If anything I find their motorway rules better - overtaking or undertaking is generally ok but you shouldn't really going down the aggressive style (especially on your hols) and the cops tend to frown on the weaving in and out in order to make progress. Doesn't go down well at all.
I like the turning right on red too. Just gotta watch for signs telling you when you can't do it or those red arrows. I once waited to turn right while it was red and the guy behind was blasting his horn to get me to go.(You weren't actually allowed to turn right on red at that particular junction) Anyways he was going balistic and I was sure he was gonna get out and 'pop a cap in my ass'.
If anything I find their motorway rules better - overtaking or undertaking is generally ok but you shouldn't really going down the aggressive style (especially on your hols) and the cops tend to frown on the weaving in and out in order to make progress. Doesn't go down well at all.
I like the turning right on red too. Just gotta watch for signs telling you when you can't do it or those red arrows. I once waited to turn right while it was red and the guy behind was blasting his horn to get me to go.(You weren't actually allowed to turn right on red at that particular junction) Anyways he was going balistic and I was sure he was gonna get out and 'pop a cap in my ass'.
jamoor said:
I think traffic flows quicker in the UK, in the evening when there isnt too much traffic you see people driving 80-100 quite frequently. I don't think the same can be said about the US?
Traffic does flow quicker here but in the US it flows better, its rare to find phantom traffic queues and mile after mile of speed up slow down traffic.We may seem to be stricter speeding but we have more reliance of cameras etc, in the US they are very hot on speeding but also they have very visible policing, they'll give you a ticket for anything which in a way does take a way slightly from targeting speeding and nothing else. How often have you seen a copper drive past someone with a light out? In the US more than likely they'll turn round and give them a ticket or VRN
The Moose said:
marlinmunro said:
The Moose said:
I love driving in Florida. We have a place just South of Naples.
To be honest, it is IMHO much better place to drive.
You need to be a little bit careful WRT speeding. 2 things to be aware of.
1. The 'bear in the air'. They have small planes that fly over the freeways and clock your speed and then have the bikes to pull you up. Note to self - driving a rental bright yellow Audi A4 cab with the roof down at 140mph isn't a great idea. Just got a telling off and a small fine!!
2. The cop cars, especially the state troopers have technology to clock you whilst you're driving in the opposite direction. Note 2 to self - it's probably not a good idea getting pulled at just under 100mph (in a 50mph) when you've been in the country less than 3 hours!!. The chap was extremely pleasant and I obviously passed the attitude test as we chatted about the Dodge Charger I had rented before he sent me on my way.
Neither instance above was I driving like a cock - roads were clear, it was dry etc etc. The police seem to be extremely reasonable. No doubt if I was driving like a tt weaving etc (especially in 1.) I would have been thrown in jail there (fair enough), but they were reasonable.
Cheers
The Moose
Is that Marco Island ? We lived in Naples for a year, then they told us to go home To be honest, it is IMHO much better place to drive.
You need to be a little bit careful WRT speeding. 2 things to be aware of.
1. The 'bear in the air'. They have small planes that fly over the freeways and clock your speed and then have the bikes to pull you up. Note to self - driving a rental bright yellow Audi A4 cab with the roof down at 140mph isn't a great idea. Just got a telling off and a small fine!!
2. The cop cars, especially the state troopers have technology to clock you whilst you're driving in the opposite direction. Note 2 to self - it's probably not a good idea getting pulled at just under 100mph (in a 50mph) when you've been in the country less than 3 hours!!
. The chap was extremely pleasant and I obviously passed the attitude test as we chatted about the Dodge Charger I had rented before he sent me on my way.Neither instance above was I driving like a cock - roads were clear, it was dry etc etc. The police seem to be extremely reasonable. No doubt if I was driving like a t
t weaving etc (especially in 1.) I would have been thrown in jail there (fair enough), but they were reasonable.Cheers
The Moose
The US is not the UK any b*gger can come and live here.Where abouts were you in Naples??
I like Naples but I don't think I would live there...unless I worked in bonita/further north.
Cheers
The Moose
Nickyboy said:
We may seem to be stricter speeding but we have more reliance of cameras etc, in the US they are very hot on speeding but also they have very visible policing, they'll give you a ticket for anything which in a way does take a way slightly from targeting speeding and nothing else. How often have you seen a copper drive past someone with a light out? In the US more than likely they'll turn round and give them a ticket or VRN
A person with a light out, is more likely to have other issues. Eg outstanding warrants, driving without a license, no insurance and such like. Hence when they see a busted light, they'll tug you just to see what else falls out.Found it interesting what my brother in law said one evening (retired Trooper) - why do cops/troopers put their hand on the back of your car when they pull you over?
1) to check the boot lid is down because it is known for people to jump out.
2) you can feel any movement in the car. so if someone is frantically trying to hide something or pull a gun or whatever, you can feel the movement inside the car.
(The incorrect answer that we called out was "to identify the car (via the prints) that shot the cop" lol)
marlinmunro said:
The Moose said:
marlinmunro said:
The Moose said:
I love driving in Florida. We have a place just South of Naples.
To be honest, it is IMHO much better place to drive.
You need to be a little bit careful WRT speeding. 2 things to be aware of.
1. The 'bear in the air'. They have small planes that fly over the freeways and clock your speed and then have the bikes to pull you up. Note to self - driving a rental bright yellow Audi A4 cab with the roof down at 140mph isn't a great idea. Just got a telling off and a small fine!!
2. The cop cars, especially the state troopers have technology to clock you whilst you're driving in the opposite direction. Note 2 to self - it's probably not a good idea getting pulled at just under 100mph (in a 50mph) when you've been in the country less than 3 hours!!. The chap was extremely pleasant and I obviously passed the attitude test as we chatted about the Dodge Charger I had rented before he sent me on my way.
Neither instance above was I driving like a cock - roads were clear, it was dry etc etc. The police seem to be extremely reasonable. No doubt if I was driving like a tt weaving etc (especially in 1.) I would have been thrown in jail there (fair enough), but they were reasonable.
Cheers
The Moose
Is that Marco Island ? We lived in Naples for a year, then they told us to go home To be honest, it is IMHO much better place to drive.
You need to be a little bit careful WRT speeding. 2 things to be aware of.
1. The 'bear in the air'. They have small planes that fly over the freeways and clock your speed and then have the bikes to pull you up. Note to self - driving a rental bright yellow Audi A4 cab with the roof down at 140mph isn't a great idea. Just got a telling off and a small fine!!
2. The cop cars, especially the state troopers have technology to clock you whilst you're driving in the opposite direction. Note 2 to self - it's probably not a good idea getting pulled at just under 100mph (in a 50mph) when you've been in the country less than 3 hours!!
. The chap was extremely pleasant and I obviously passed the attitude test as we chatted about the Dodge Charger I had rented before he sent me on my way.Neither instance above was I driving like a cock - roads were clear, it was dry etc etc. The police seem to be extremely reasonable. No doubt if I was driving like a t
t weaving etc (especially in 1.) I would have been thrown in jail there (fair enough), but they were reasonable.Cheers
The Moose
The US is not the UK any b*gger can come and live here.Where abouts were you in Naples??
I like Naples but I don't think I would live there...unless I worked in bonita/further north.
Cheers
The Moose
To be honest, anywhere in Naples or Marco 10 years ago would have been a fantastic buy. As young kids, we used to rent out there. The house we first ever stayed in was offered to my parents for something silly like $150k or $200k. Shame they couldn't afford it at the time... Just before the property crash, that was up for 2 or 3 mil. Unbelievable!!
Cheers
The Moose
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