Driving in America

[Krikit 1,165]

But, I've noticed that here, for example, merge lanes onto highways fall short of decent and you have short merges with people not knowing whether to speed up or slow down. It's very frustrating and causes lots of accidents.

Not only that, but they also have exits on the same lane as the short merge lanes! So now you have people trying to merge in AND out.

[thetreble 19]

But, I've noticed that here, for example, merge lanes onto highways fall short of decent and you have short merges with people not knowing whether to speed up or slow down. It's very frustrating and causes lots of accidents.

Not only that, but they also have exits on the same lane as the short merge lanes! So now you have people trying to merge in AND out.

From a transportation, roads management, etc. prospective, the US is far behind many countries (including Canada) in various areas of road construction and signage.

[DeadPoolX 9]

But, I've noticed that here, for example, merge lanes onto highways fall short of decent and you have short merges with people not knowing whether to speed up or slow down. It's very frustrating and causes lots of accidents.

Not only that, but they also have exits on the same lane as the short merge lanes! So now you have people trying to merge in AND out.

From a transportation, roads management, etc. prospective, the US is far behind many countries (including Canada) in various areas of road construction and signage.

I can't say I agree. Tons of areas in Vancouver have little-to-no signs or indication of what street you're on. I will say that the freeways are well marked, however.

As for road construction... well, that's tricky. It really depends how large the city is, what the overall population is at and what the taxation levels are. In the U.S., taxes are generally much less than Canada. So if you have a large city with lots of people, but less taxes drawn in, then you won't be able to keep up all the roads.

That's not so bad, really. I often thought they should rename Houston to "Construction City." Streets were always under construction! Drove me nuts.

[Krikit 1,165]

From a transportation, roads management, etc. prospective, the US is far behind many countries (including Canada) in various areas of road construction and signage.

Ugh. Don't get me started on the inconsistency of which side of the road to be on when you want to get onto a highway. Some of the onramps are on the right, and some of them are on the left. It wouldn't be so bad if their signage wasn't so poor so you could have a bit of a warning before you actually get to the ramp.

The US interstate system is amazing, though. I never fail to be impressed by the number of rest areas and the cleanliness of them. And they're always well cared for and usually quite scenic. Kudos to that.

Edited June 1, 2009 by Krikit

[The_Dude 1,142]

The US interstate system is amazing, though. I never fail to be impressed by the number of rest areas and the cleanliness of them. And they're always well cared for and usually quite scenic. Kudos to that.

You wouldn't say that if you've seen the last rest area on the highway from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Only two words needed to describe it. Feces everywhere!!!

Edited June 1, 2009 by Rob and Mel

[DeadPoolX 9]

The US interstate system is amazing, though. I never fail to be impressed by the number of rest areas and the cleanliness of them. And they're always well cared for and usually quite scenic. Kudos to that.

You wouldn't say that if you've seen the last rest area on the highway from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Only two words needed to describe it. Feces everywhere!!!

Ever notice that there will often be ONE shoe just laying about on the freeway? I once saw a mattress flopped over the shoulder.

[Krikit 1,165]

You wouldn't say that if you've seen the last rest area on the highway from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Only two words needed to describe it. Feces everywhere!!!

[warlord 73]

The US interstate system is amazing, though. I never fail to be impressed by the number of rest areas and the cleanliness of them. And they're always well cared for and usually quite scenic. Kudos to that.

You wouldn't say that if you've seen the last rest area on the highway from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Only two words needed to describe it. Feces everywhere!!!

Ever notice that there will often be ONE shoe just laying about on the freeway? I once saw a mattress flopped over the shoulder.

This is why we usually stop for gas, pee, and everything else we need just on the outskirts of Victorville and then non-stop to Vegas. I'd been doing that drive for a bit over 15 years now, so I'd seen it much worse then today.

Now with the merging of traffic. There's a term my friend from Kentucky used to say. The infamous "Kentucky Merge". This is where someone comes on and regardless if anyone is in the slow lane or not, they drive the entire distance of the merge lane to the end then cut into the slow lane (traffic or not). We never did understand why people don't merge when it's open...

[The_Dude 1,142]

The one thing about Canadian driving laws that I really thing the U.S. needs to adopt is to legalize passing on the right.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Well I've drivin in every lower 48 state and all the major cities at one time or another. Many at rush hour. From my expierince Central Florida is the worst for driving experience (I-4 especially). DC is the worst for traffic congestion.

So Cal isn't bad at all other then Holiday weekends where you can't drive out of the city to save your life, other then that, just the jams can be a hassle, but really California isn't bad at all compared to say ohhh Central Florida.

I don't know if it's a combination of snowbirds and pissed of locals or what. You get the super slow as hell Canadian drivers (yes I have seen and noticed that Canadian drives everywhere regardless of age are always super slow on the roads and many times hold up traffic). Or if it's just too much sun stroke or if it's just the local Haitian drug gangs doing their I-95 or I-4 drug mule transports or something.

Now I have seen bad drivers everywhere. New Mexico is bad for people never using their turn signals, Arizona can get pretty aggressive (probably Central Floridan transplants) and Michigan is a little more on the aggressive side as well.

Of course you could also go to West Texas where people on the back roads will always wave to you as you pass them from the opposite direction (no Central Floridans live there apparently).

The most of my driving experince is the South West, Southern Cal, Central Florida, Michigan - Ohio - Indiana corridor. So I could have hit places like DC just at the worst possible times when I've gone. As for the others though Central Florida still without question is the single worst place to drive without question...

How about Colorado? People seem fairly calm for the most part but in and around the city of Denver it gets a little sketchy looking... the "mousetrap" or whatever Bill calls it. What should I be avoiding? Small down Ontario girl is slightly scared!

[Krikit 1,165]

I found the people in Denver drove quite normally. Then again, I'm from the Toronto area.

[Bern. 3]

Regardless, good luck. I almost took out a truck today because it decided to stop in the middle of the road.

Edited June 2, 2009 by Ber + Ter

[thetreble 19]

I can't say I agree. Tons of areas in Vancouver have little-to-no signs or indication of what street you're on. I will say that the freeways are well marked, however.

As for road construction... well, that's tricky. It really depends how large the city is, what the overall population is at and what the taxation levels are. In the U.S., taxes are generally much less than Canada. So if you have a large city with lots of people, but less taxes drawn in, then you won't be able to keep up all the roads.

That's not so bad, really. I often thought they should rename Houston to "Construction City." Streets were always under construction! Drove me nuts.

I have 9 years of experience in this field so while you can't agree, what experience do you have in terms of traffic systems and road management? I'm not trying to put you down, but I am saying that if there is anything I have focused on in my life so far, it's been this field. My dad is also a traffic engineer so it runs in the family.

What you are saying about taxation rings true for the most part. We draw more money for transportation from taxes in general in Canada.

But I will tell you that I pay FAR more in taxes in New Jersey than I ever did in Ontario. Come to New Jersey and see how bad the roads are. Road work often takes years here to finish because of the pace and it causes mass congestion because they will work on major highways during the day instead of at night only. There are some roads still be slightly reconstructed at this point, that were already underway when I met my husband 5 years ago. When you see NJ DOT work on a major route for 5 years with little change, it often makes you wonder who is doing the work and where the cash is going.

And while signage, as you think, is poor in your area. If you go to Ontario you will see how wonderful it all is. In my opinion, we have the best signage and the most extensive mass transit programs in Canada. We spend a lot of money on transportation programs, roads, signs, etc. The signs are clear, they are large, they are new and not spray painted over.

Another thing that bothers many people from Canada who drive to the US is detours. My parents have gotten lost a hundred times in the state of Michigan because of poor signed detour routes. It's actually also dangerous because my parents have gotten lost on detours during the night in Detroit.

Again, I'm not saying it to say this...I'm saying it from solid experience.

[warlord 73]

I found the people in Denver drove quite normally. Then again, I'm from the Toronto area.

The only problem with Colorado is the Texan and California drivers who think they know how to drive in the snow. Guarenteed 90% of accidents here in the winter are one of the two who have their 4x4s thinking they can't get in an accident in rain or snow by driving the same speed.

I actually work for transportation in Denver, so like other metro cities, Denver has its fair share of congestion problems.

As for natives here, you'll get the odd gun trotting pickup who thinks they have gun turrets on their roof that they own the road, but I think you get that in most states with a large rural population.

But yeah, we're pretty normal (maybe we can be the normal standard ha ha)...

[thetreble 19]

I've heard that Colorado is actually a very decent place to drive, warlord. Supposedly, they do a good job there..or so I've heard from some conferences I've gone to.