Driving in America

[trailmix 77]

So far my worst experience was driving from my fiance's parents home to a friend of my fiance's place on I-85 north of Atlanta. It was an "afternoon" shower, Well to me it was like a HEAVY downpour, the wiper blades were on full blast and I still could not see ANYTHING!! There was traffic all around me and I slowed down to as slow as I could go on an Interstate. My fiance kept on saying just follow the white line! I am freaking out and saying I can't even see it! I kept on saying I am going to pull over! He said NO WAY!! You will most likely cause an accident or someone else won't be able to see you and plow right into you! I had people passing me like it was nothing!! Most of the people behind me did slow down and follow thank goodness, but I don't know how the people that were passing me made it!

All I have to say is Rain-X. Seriously. It's a lifesaver. I worry about people who DON'T use Rain-X, it's that good.

Rain-X...humm good to know! Thanks Krikit! I will definitely have to get some next time my future hubby and I drive down South to visit his family!

Yay for rain-x! It really is great stuff. Just so you know it's something you need to put on before you go (ie: when it is dry and has time to set)

I would like to see the pic krikit

Hey Misty, you don't drive a Ford by any chance do you??

Lol nope, I drive a piece of junk Volkswagon Passat...why?

Oh it's just a thing with an filter thing in some Fords - that makes the same thing happen - and it's an easy fix.

Edited May 29, 2009 by trailmix

[CDAgirlMI 51]

I think people who drive too slow are just as dangerous as people that drive too fast. Especially on the highway.

Doing 20 below the posted speed limit in the left lane??? Come on! I once was driving in Michigan & got stuck behind a car from Florida in the middle lane doing 50 MPH!!! Maybe they sped their way out of Detroit, then decided to cruise it, hehe.

+1 on Rain X as well.....amazing stuff.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Well I don't have any experience driving in major cities like Toronto, I am from SK....we don't have "interstates" or freeways. The drivers can be pretty idiotic here too. When I have visited my fiance I have had some experience driving on interstates on the way to Atlanta and a bit of driving through Atlanta and Omaha.

I still freak out a bit as I am not used to it, everyone drives very aggressively and when you signal to move to another lane its not please let me in, its I am coming over so you better slow down, because usually they will speed up!

So far my worst experience was driving from my fiance's parents home to a friend of my fiance's place on I-85 north of Atlanta. It was an "afternoon" shower, Well to me it was like a HEAVY downpour, the wiper blades were on full blast and I still could not see ANYTHING!! There was traffic all around me and I slowed down to as slow as I could go on an Interstate. My fiance kept on saying just follow the white line! I am freaking out and saying I can't even see it! I kept on saying I am going to pull over! He said NO WAY!! You will most likely cause an accident or someone else won't be able to see you and plow right into you! I had people passing me like it was nothing!! Most of the people behind me did slow down and follow thank goodness, but I don't know how the people that were passing me made it!

Sounds like an experience I had in Buffalo, but with snow! It started snowing like crazy and the visibility was next to nothing. I'm Canadian, of course I'm used to the snow but wow, that was a dumping. The roads were clear because it just started coming down like crazy with the snap of your fingers. I was freaking out and there were people speeding past me in the fast lane... there's no way they could see! I guess they are just used to all that lake effect snow. Wow. Scary stuff eh?

And yes, Rain X is amazing! You don't even need your wipers if its a fairly light rain.

[Texanadian 10]

It could be worse.

[Texanadian 10]

I think it's hard to compare country to country driving. I've heard that driving on the 401 in Ontario is tough. But then again, driving on highway 1 out in western British Columbia is a breeze. Drive as fast as you want.

Then again, how do you rate Texas traffic?

Texas

Texas

Texas

Just going from city to city and city to countryside, the traffic is going to be completely different. I drove from the northern tip of Washington state all the way to south Texas when I moved here.

WA - Not bad, not great. Evening rush hour on I-5, but wide open through the mountains later on in the evening.

ID - Mostly slow. Rougher roads.

MT - Montana absolutely rocks! 8 hours of driving as fast as you want. I saw 4 police cars during the entire time. And they didn't seem to mind people speeding. It's so long and so sparse with traffic, that no matter how fast you drive, it seems slow. Check out their old speed limit.

WY- The split second I crossed the border, I saw a police car with the lights on pulling somebody over. More police presence than anywhere in Montana it seems.

CO - In the cities (Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs), it's business as usual. But between the cities and particularly south of Colorado Springs, it's pedal to the metal.

NM - Hard to say. Mostly night and 2 lane roads when I was there.

TX - Varies from country highways with nobody on them for an hour to rush hour parking in the big cities during the morning/noon/late afternoon.

[Emancipation 2]

It could be worse.

[Krikit 1,165]

Rain-x is good and lasts forever.... you're supposed to re-apply it every so often but mine lasted well over a year!

Do you not drive your car or wash it?

Sounds like an experience I had in Buffalo, but with snow! It started snowing like crazy and the visibility was next to nothing. I'm Canadian, of course I'm used to the snow but wow, that was a dumping. The roads were clear because it just started coming down like crazy with the snap of your fingers. I was freaking out and there were people speeding past me in the fast lane... there's no way they could see! I guess they are just used to all that lake effect snow. Wow. Scary stuff eh?

OMG, I had the WORST driving experience in Buffalo one time. I was on a back road out in the sticks and the snow was so bad that I had to use the telephone poles at the side of the road as a guideline, and pray to God that I didn't get stuck or misjudge the distance and slip off into the deep gullies on either side. It was absolutely terrifying.

[trailmix 77]

Where the heck is this?? It reminds me of Taiwan, only they have more bicycles in the mix.

Edited May 30, 2009 by trailmix

[Krikit 1,165]

Looks like they have the main roads closed off for a Santa Claus parade. (Judging by the huge santas on the building opposite the blocked road. )

OMG, I remember one time driving through a small town on a US highway on the border of Virginia and Maryland. They had actually BLOCKED OFF THE HIGHWAY so they could have their little league parade!!!!! I was diverted through a housing development to the other side of the blocked off area, only THEY HAD THAT BLOCKED OFF TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so mad. Especially because there was no sign of the parade and they refused to let me back on the highway until it was all done and dusted. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

[thetreble 19]

Where the heck is this?? It reminds me of Taiwan, only they have more bicycles in the mix.

That looks like traffic in Mumbai as well. I've watched tv specials on how the chance of getting into an auto accident is like 75%. They went to a bunch of hospitals just to show traffic related injuries and it was out of this world.

I've got a lead foot, I will admit that. But I do blame it on the 401, actually. I spent most of my time driving on it between 16-22 and I think it made me into a ridiculously fast driver.

Now I sit in traffic all morning and all afternoon so no fast driving for me any way.

That texas traffic picture looks like my morning and afternoon commute every day.

Here is actually a picture I found online of my drive home. (i know exactly where this is)

[trailmix 77]

Blah, looks like a horrible commute!

Edited June 1, 2009 by trailmix

[thetreble 19]

Blah, looks like a horrible commute!

Every morning and afternoon, my dear

[Krikit 1,165]

I am so happy I am no longer in that rat race.

[thetreble 19]

I am so happy I am no longer in that rat race.

It's a race

a race for rats

a race for rats to die.

[Griffon76 0]

LDora,

I had to reply here as I grew up in the Tampa/StPete area. Yes! Driving in this area can be a little daunting. I moved to a rural area of Virginia and had to learn to slow down LOL But one word of encouragement, learning to drive there will heighten your senses and probably help you become a great defensive driver, always aware of your surroundings. Too many people become comfortable with the other drivers around them (especially from more laid back areas) and can get into hairy situations. Good Luck!!!