My thoughts on America (motoring, no politics...)
Discussion
Recently returned from a trip to Florida with the family and found I had a lot of opinions on motoring in America, so will share them here. I hired a chevy tahoe (before the readers cars thread a few weeks ago) on the basis I'd had a chevy suburban before and was very happy with that.
1) American cars make sense in America. I don't think this is like French people almost exclusively buying French cars - if I lived in America I'd own an American car. The roads are relatively wide, relatively straight and in relatively good condition. The other major car manufacturing nations are a reasonable distance away (Europe/Far East), so American manufacturers have an advantage, and with fuel being so cheap (see below...) a big lazy American car is a pleasant experience to drive. The next most common motoring nations are far eastern, and European cars are fairly rare.
2) Fuel really is really cheap. Not Venezuela/Middle East cheap, but I paid $2.399 per US Gallon (~3.8l) of "premium" petrol. Okay, it's not the same octane as European fuel, but a daily driver doing 20mpg is easily achievable at 55p/l in UK money/measurements. Why buy a diesel or a small, economical car.
3) The driving standards were impressively high. In ~500 miles of driving, I saw one case of poor driving standards in my opinion, where someone was being a dick and preventing someone from changing lane on approach to a junction. Otherwise, everyone seemed to be aware of what was going on around them and was moving between lanes appropriately, with sufficient time/distance ahead of junctions not to cause issues. Compared to the s
t storm of utterly crap driving that greeted me on my drive home from the airport once back here, I hadn't actually realised just how painless other drivers were in the states. Part of it stems from a more laid back attitude, not in a hurry at a million mph all the time, and part of it just from in my opinion higher driving standards.
4) There's a fair number of toll roads, but no worse than in mainland Europe and the roads are sufficiently better than they are in the UK that it seems fine.
Lastly, and most importantly...
5) turn right on red is the greatest thing in the world and I have no idea why it isn't standard all over the world. You approach a junction, you're on red, but there are sufficiently large gaps in the traffic that is on green that you can slot into then you can. It hugely reduces waiting times at junctions. The only downside is that it needs a dedicated RH turn lane for full effectiveness, but the side and layout of the roads mean this is often the case.
1) American cars make sense in America. I don't think this is like French people almost exclusively buying French cars - if I lived in America I'd own an American car. The roads are relatively wide, relatively straight and in relatively good condition. The other major car manufacturing nations are a reasonable distance away (Europe/Far East), so American manufacturers have an advantage, and with fuel being so cheap (see below...) a big lazy American car is a pleasant experience to drive. The next most common motoring nations are far eastern, and European cars are fairly rare.
2) Fuel really is really cheap. Not Venezuela/Middle East cheap, but I paid $2.399 per US Gallon (~3.8l) of "premium" petrol. Okay, it's not the same octane as European fuel, but a daily driver doing 20mpg is easily achievable at 55p/l in UK money/measurements. Why buy a diesel or a small, economical car.
3) The driving standards were impressively high. In ~500 miles of driving, I saw one case of poor driving standards in my opinion, where someone was being a dick and preventing someone from changing lane on approach to a junction. Otherwise, everyone seemed to be aware of what was going on around them and was moving between lanes appropriately, with sufficient time/distance ahead of junctions not to cause issues. Compared to the s
t storm of utterly crap driving that greeted me on my drive home from the airport once back here, I hadn't actually realised just how painless other drivers were in the states. Part of it stems from a more laid back attitude, not in a hurry at a million mph all the time, and part of it just from in my opinion higher driving standards.4) There's a fair number of toll roads, but no worse than in mainland Europe and the roads are sufficiently better than they are in the UK that it seems fine.
Lastly, and most importantly...
5) turn right on red is the greatest thing in the world and I have no idea why it isn't standard all over the world. You approach a junction, you're on red, but there are sufficiently large gaps in the traffic that is on green that you can slot into then you can. It hugely reduces waiting times at junctions. The only downside is that it needs a dedicated RH turn lane for full effectiveness, but the side and layout of the roads mean this is often the case.
i am shocked at number 3! i visit quite regularly (at least once a year to see family in new england) and the driving is shocking. always seems to be those who see driving pretty low down on the list of priorities whilst actually driving or knobs weaving through traffic.
we also live around US air bases and speed limits have had to be reduced from NSL to try and stop the service personnel crashing.
i definitely agree with big cars suiting america. the roads are huge, as are parking spaces.
we also live around US air bases and speed limits have had to be reduced from NSL to try and stop the service personnel crashing.
i definitely agree with big cars suiting america. the roads are huge, as are parking spaces.
I used to go to Florida every 2 years and the standard of driving is no better than the UK. The speeds are slower so people have more reaction time but there is little order to the lane system. The number of times I've been in lane 2 with a car to the right and one to the left who pass and then try to pull in front at the same time is frightening.
I agree the turn right on a red light rule is fantastic though.
Edited to add, I hate having to completely stop at a stop sign when there's nothing to stop for.
I agree the turn right on a red light rule is fantastic though.
Edited to add, I hate having to completely stop at a stop sign when there's nothing to stop for.
NotBenny said:
Lastly, and most importantly...
5) turn right on red is the greatest thing in the world and I have no idea why it isn't standard all over the world. You approach a junction, you're on red, but there are sufficiently large gaps in the traffic that is on green that you can slot into then you can.
That's reads like you treated it as a Give Way, which many do. But you're supposed to come to a complete stop, then go. it seems to be OK as long as you don't do when there's a cop looking.5) turn right on red is the greatest thing in the world and I have no idea why it isn't standard all over the world. You approach a junction, you're on red, but there are sufficiently large gaps in the traffic that is on green that you can slot into then you can.
Zed Ed said:
I also enjoyed Stop signs, particularly four way,
This has got to be a joke? Forcing every single car that gets to the junction, 24/7, to stop, even though there are no other cars around? It's madness. Getting anywhere, where there isn't a freeway, takes forever. Every single side street onto a road has either a stop sign or a set of traffic lights, forcing everyone to stop even if there is nothing coming. Roundabouts. That's what is missing. You slow down, you check for traffic, if nothing is coming you wiggle around it. What's wrong with that?
OR how about, the b
ds who are coming down the side street give way, sit and wait for a gap. That can work too. Yet, by default, we will make every single car stop, 24/7, all for the sake of a quiet side road with 10 houses on, every 100 yards."enjoyed"...you had better be joking.....!!
NotBenny said:
Fuel really is really cheap.
Okay, it's not the same octane as European fuel.
91 octane is roughly equal to our 95 and 93 octane is around UK 98.
HTH
Can't agree with much of what Op said
i like cheaper fuel... who wouldn't
They drive and use phone more than us....bad
my experience is that in Florida was constantly being cut up
They could use some roundabouts stopping every 100-200m for traffic lights is utter pants
refueling is also pants, you often have to prepay, then fuel, then go get your change
on a positive also like larger bays....many which were free to park in
they are still a colony, so just about all new roads compared to us making it often easier to drive, but long drives boring as f$%k
Being overtaken by HGV's doing 80 odd is a little disconcerting
the death rate on their roads is stunning compared to ours so no idea where they are better drivers comes from.....USA deaths on roads 37,133 about 102 a day
UK 1782 about 5 a day.....
i like cheaper fuel... who wouldn't
They drive and use phone more than us....bad
my experience is that in Florida was constantly being cut up
They could use some roundabouts stopping every 100-200m for traffic lights is utter pants
refueling is also pants, you often have to prepay, then fuel, then go get your change
on a positive also like larger bays....many which were free to park in
they are still a colony, so just about all new roads compared to us making it often easier to drive, but long drives boring as f$%k
Being overtaken by HGV's doing 80 odd is a little disconcerting
the death rate on their roads is stunning compared to ours so no idea where they are better drivers comes from.....USA deaths on roads 37,133 about 102 a day
UK 1782 about 5 a day.....
Stig Said
Roundabouts. That's what is missing. You slow down, you check for traffic, if nothing is coming you wiggle around it. What's wrong with that?
OR how about, the bds who are coming down the side street give way, sit and wait for a gap. That can work too. Yet, by default, we will make every single car stop, 24/7, all for the sake of a quiet side road with 10 houses on, every 100 yards.
You should come to Bracknell where the phuckwits who are in charge have either dug up roundabouts and installed very long phase traffic loghts Put 24/7 lights on roundabouts, and where there are peak hour lights on roundabouts now make them 24/7 FFS
Why they dont make all lights on roaundabouts peak hours only AND instread of sitting at crossroads for frigging minutes watching nothing go through the phases .make all ogf them flashing ambers,again outside peak hours and treat them as 4 way stops
They moan about the environment and exhaust emissions but in the addled brains defeat this concept by the increased the amount of idling time
Roundabouts. That's what is missing. You slow down, you check for traffic, if nothing is coming you wiggle around it. What's wrong with that?
OR how about, the bds who are coming down the side street give way, sit and wait for a gap. That can work too. Yet, by default, we will make every single car stop, 24/7, all for the sake of a quiet side road with 10 houses on, every 100 yards.
You should come to Bracknell where the phuckwits who are in charge have either dug up roundabouts and installed very long phase traffic loghts Put 24/7 lights on roundabouts, and where there are peak hour lights on roundabouts now make them 24/7 FFS
Why they dont make all lights on roaundabouts peak hours only AND instread of sitting at crossroads for frigging minutes watching nothing go through the phases .make all ogf them flashing ambers,again outside peak hours and treat them as 4 way stops
They moan about the environment and exhaust emissions but in the addled brains defeat this concept by the increased the amount of idling time
watchnut said:
the death rate on their roads is stunning compared to ours so no idea where they are better drivers comes from.....USA deaths on roads 37,133 about 102 a day
UK 1782 about 5 a day.....
Yeah but take it context. US drivers...approx 220 million, UK drivers approx. 33 million. US average mileage per year is about 13.5k, here it's around 8. Multiply that lot through and it turns out they have 1.8 times as many accidents per driver mile as we do - more than us to be sure, but not quite so bad as you're making out. Which is pretty easily explained by the aforementioned greater distances leading to a lot of tired driving plus a rather more lax approach to drink-driving and speeding, certainly in the more rural areas of the country (of which there are a lot).UK 1782 about 5 a day.....
Certainly I've always enjoyed driving in the US, it's very easy, relaxing, and on the whole I find the Yanks to be courteous and un-stressed about the whole thing.
Of course, I exclude almost all of Florida from that and especially anywhere within 50 miles of Orlando, as most of the drivers are jet-lagged Brits trying to find their holiday villa after a day sweating round Disney with the hyped-up kids in the back tucking into their fortieth sugar-laden snack of the afternoon.
bobtail4x4 said:
everyone is polite
possibly because most of them "carry" so no road rage incidents.
The facts say that you're wrong. Sure you wanna fall on that sword? (pun intended)possibly because most of them "carry" so no road rage incidents.
"36 percent of U.S. adults either own a firearm personally, or live with someone who does."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/0...
"most states allow open carrying in vehicles, but no legal means to transport a loaded gun."
https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/cr...
NotBenny said:
turn right on red is the greatest thing in the world and I have no idea why it isn't standard all over the world. You approach a junction, you're on red, but there are sufficiently large gaps in the traffic that is on green that you can slot into then you can. It hugely reduces waiting times at junctions. The only downside is that it needs a dedicated RH turn lane for full effectiveness, but the side and layout of the roads mean this is often the case.
This confused the heck outta me the first time I drove in America, I was wondering why on earth I was getting honked at a red light! Though now I do think it is a really good idea, not all roads are like this out there though so be careful 
Stigproducts said:
This has got to be a joke? Forcing every single car that gets to the junction, 24/7, to stop, even though there are no other cars around? It's madness. Getting anywhere, where there isn't a freeway, takes forever. Every single side street onto a road has either a stop sign or a set of traffic lights, forcing everyone to stop even if there is nothing coming.
Roundabouts. That's what is missing. You slow down, you check for traffic, if nothing is coming you wiggle around it. What's wrong with that?
OR how about, the bds who are coming down the side street give way, sit and wait for a gap. That can work too. Yet, by default, we will make every single car stop, 24/7, all for the sake of a quiet side road with 10 houses on, every 100 yards.
"enjoyed"...you had better be joking.....!!
I agree. 4 way stops are bloody ridiculous and a complete pain. When I got to Santa Cruz and came across this little beauty I was delighted!Roundabouts. That's what is missing. You slow down, you check for traffic, if nothing is coming you wiggle around it. What's wrong with that?
OR how about, the b
ds who are coming down the side street give way, sit and wait for a gap. That can work too. Yet, by default, we will make every single car stop, 24/7, all for the sake of a quiet side road with 10 houses on, every 100 yards."enjoyed"...you had better be joking.....!!
silverfoxcc said:
You should come to Bracknell where the phuckwits who are in charge have either dug up roundabouts and installed very long phase traffic loghts Put 24/7 lights on roundabouts, and where there are peak hour lights on roundabouts now make them 24/7 FFS
Yep, mental isn't it 
I’m currently in the US and am here generally 9/10 times a year (in various different parts).
It’s a perfectly civilised place to drive and I think general standards are pretty much the same as at home depending upon where you are. I agree completely that merging to the right under red is genius but I still struggle and annoy my American friends at stop signs. Driving is generally well mannered and courteous as indeed is much of day to day life across the US irrespective of where you are and what political allegiance the county/state professes.
I do see more accidents (by some way) than at home which can only be put down to the tedium of long drives, modest speed and occasionally random road layouts. I would add that the various state troopers and recovery trucks deal with them in a much quicker and less disruptive way. Traffic is shocking and the infrastructure poor around the major conurbations though.
Other positives:
Fuel is indeed cheap and plentiful
The country is planned around the car
US cars make absolute sense here - I always return with a penchant for a muscle car, hot rod or a fk off pickup.
It is truly a beautiful country and brilliant for a road trip (just done Washington and Oregon Coast)
General car culture is top notch
Car pool lanes
Negatives
Infrastructure quality wildly variable
Lane discipline, a la UK , can be aggravating
Inconsistency around rules and limits
Not fast enough!
It’s a perfectly civilised place to drive and I think general standards are pretty much the same as at home depending upon where you are. I agree completely that merging to the right under red is genius but I still struggle and annoy my American friends at stop signs. Driving is generally well mannered and courteous as indeed is much of day to day life across the US irrespective of where you are and what political allegiance the county/state professes.
I do see more accidents (by some way) than at home which can only be put down to the tedium of long drives, modest speed and occasionally random road layouts. I would add that the various state troopers and recovery trucks deal with them in a much quicker and less disruptive way. Traffic is shocking and the infrastructure poor around the major conurbations though.
Other positives:
Fuel is indeed cheap and plentiful
The country is planned around the car
US cars make absolute sense here - I always return with a penchant for a muscle car, hot rod or a f
k off pickup.It is truly a beautiful country and brilliant for a road trip (just done Washington and Oregon Coast)
General car culture is top notch
Car pool lanes
Negatives
Infrastructure quality wildly variable
Lane discipline, a la UK , can be aggravating
Inconsistency around rules and limits
Not fast enough!
What nobody ever mentions is one huge difference. Namely, that if you're making a turn at traffic lights pedestrians in the road you're turning into will generally have a green light at the SAME time as you have a green light for traffic. Comes as a shock to some people.
The whole concept of a "crosswalk" differs from UK - essentially a pedestrian crossing at every junction, all the time. Details vary from state to state.
Also often overlooked is the "left turn on red" rule, which can vary from place to place, allowing left turns into a one way street.
The right turn on red rule also varies from place to place - for instance it's not allowed in NYC (unless otherwise indicated).
The whole concept of a "crosswalk" differs from UK - essentially a pedestrian crossing at every junction, all the time. Details vary from state to state.
Also often overlooked is the "left turn on red" rule, which can vary from place to place, allowing left turns into a one way street.
The right turn on red rule also varies from place to place - for instance it's not allowed in NYC (unless otherwise indicated).
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