Maybe it's just a California thing. People have no respect for anyone or anything on the road anymore. They're completely apathetic and lazy when it comes to doing something they should for the safety of themselves and everyone else on the road, but completely aggressive if they get half a chance to cut off a few seconds of their driving time to get ahead of other people. No one uses their blinker to change lanes or turn, not even at a stop sign. Everyone waits until the last second before making those two or three lane changes over to the turning lane. People CONSTANTLY cut people off trying to merge into an adjacent lane so they get ahead of the 'slow' car in front of them. 95% of the people on the road tailgate and weave in and out of lanes trying to save themselves 5 seconds.
You often hear the reasoning that there's so much traffic in the bay area because there's so many cars on the road. I think that's half the reason. The other half is that because people tailgate and speed 15-20 over the speed limit, as soon as there's some disturbance and people have to brake even for only a few seconds, the people behind them rush in and a traffic jam begins.
Just curious if anyone else feels the same way.
Originally posted by EnigmaticCamManhatten is the worst place for driving I've seen. There were people pulling up on the sidewalk to get around me so they could run the red-light I was stopped at. I was literally afraid I'd get a ticked for not running a red-light there.
Maybe it's just a California thing. People have no respect for anyone or anything on the road anymore. They're completely apathetic and lazy when it comes to doing something they should for the safety of themselves and everyone else on the road, but completely aggressive if they get half a chance to cut off a few seconds of their driving time to get ahe ...[text shortened]... hem rush in and a traffic jam begins.
Just curious if anyone else feels the same way.
Originally posted by ElleEffSeeeWell shoot, aren't I the lucky one 🙂
That does sound more like a regional thing rather than nationwide. Colorado and the mid-west generally seem a dream to drive in compared to other places.
But techsouth's story of Manhatten makes me feel a bit better. heh.
Driving in London is remarkably civilised. People let each other into traffic and (generally, although women don't always) acknowledge this with a wave. Everyone stops at pedestrian crossings, which is cool. And hardly anyone runs a red light.
It helps that we also drive on the correct side of the road...
I'm moving to Sydney in two weeks (I used to live there) and the driving there is brutal...but nothing compares to the cities in France and Italy.
Originally posted by EnigmaticCamThat surprises me. I don't drive myself, but my father always liked to drive in the US because he said it was so much more relaxed and less aggressive than in Germany. He has been to California several times, as I have a sister there.
Maybe it's just a California thing. People have no respect for anyone or anything on the road anymore. They're completely apathetic and lazy when it comes to doing something they should for the safety of themselves and everyone else on the road, but completely aggressive if they get half a chance to cut off a few seconds of their driving time to get ahe ...[text shortened]... hem rush in and a traffic jam begins.
Just curious if anyone else feels the same way.
Originally posted by EnigmaticCamTry driving in parts of the Middle East, or parts of southern Europe.
Maybe it's just a California thing. People have no respect for anyone or anything on the road anymore. They're completely apathetic and lazy when it comes to doing something they should for the safety of themselves and everyone else on the road, but completely aggressive if they get half a chance to cut off a few seconds of their driving time to get ahe ...[text shortened]... hem rush in and a traffic jam begins.
Just curious if anyone else feels the same way.
The question isn't when you will get there...
Originally posted by EnigmaticCamI live in California too. The roads suck. 1 lane highways in some of the busiest places in the state.
Maybe it's just a California thing. People have no respect for anyone or anything on the road anymore. They're completely apathetic and lazy when it comes to doing something they should for the safety of themselves and everyone else on the road, but completely aggressive if they get half a chance to cut off a few seconds of their driving time to get ahe ...[text shortened]... hem rush in and a traffic jam begins.
Just curious if anyone else feels the same way.
Originally posted by EnigmaticCamThe Bay area road system is one of the busiest and most congested in California, rivaling even that of LA's. I agree with you though about rude and dangerous drivers. But where I drive is not all that bad.
Maybe it's just a California thing. People have no respect for anyone or anything on the road anymore. They're completely apathetic and lazy when it comes to doing something they should for the safety of themselves and everyone else on the road, but completely aggressive if they get half a chance to cut off a few seconds of their driving time to get ahe hem rush in and a traffic jam begins.
Just curious if anyone else feels the same way.
Originally posted by ivangriceThat reminds me of the first time I visited London and tried to drive. It was dark in the middle of rush hour, during a storm, and I was driving on the opposite side of the road I was accustomed to driving. I then realized I had lost my map. Did I mention that I had forgotten my drivers liscence at home before I left as well? I was so screwed. I made it though. I just prayed a lot and followed the signs for the air port to make it out of the city. I then realized I had a propensity, for whatever reason, to drift into the other lane becasue I was not accutomed to driving on the opposite side of the automobile. Not only that, for the life of me I could not understand the legalities of the round-abouts. THe first one I came to it took me 10 minutes to navigate my way out of one. I was hoping for a place to eat or to pull off the side of the road to unwind a bit after I made it out of London because my nerves were shot after I had made it out of the city. I then realized that it was nothing but cow pasture until I made it to my destination which was Manchester. It was a 3 hour ordeal of continuously drifting into the other lane without a valid drivers liscence that prompted me to ditch the car ASAP when I arrived. I then took trains the rest of the way. Oh, by the way, you are right. The other drivers were very accomodating as I drifted into their respective lanes. Otherwise, I would probably still be there in a London prison some where for not having my licsence.
Driving in London is remarkably civilised. People let each other into traffic and (generally, although women don't always) acknowledge this with a wave. Everyone stops at pedestrian crossings, which is cool. And hardly anyone runs a red light.
It helps that we also drive on the correct side of the road...
I'm moving to Sydney in two weeks (I used ...[text shortened]... ere) and the driving there is brutal...but nothing compares to the cities in France and Italy.
Originally posted by whodeyThe things you were looking for are called "Services".
I was hoping for a place to eat or to pull off the side of the road to unwind a bit after I made it out of London because my nerves were shot after I had made it out of the city. I then realized that it was nothing but cow pasture until I made it to my destination which was Manchester.
Great big places where you can stop for food*, drink, toilets, fuel, etc.
About every 30-40 miles or so.
All along your route.
With big signs telling you where they are.
Really big signs.
*it's advertised as food
Truckin' by Grateful Dead
Truckin got my chips cashed in. keep truckin, like the do-dah man
Together, more or less in line, just keep truckin on.
Arrows of neon and flashing marquees out on main street.
Chicago, new york, detroit and its all on the same street.
Your typical city involved in a typical daydream
Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.
Dallas, got a soft machine; houston, too close to new orleans;
New yorks got the ways and means; but just wont let you be, oh no.
Most of the cast that you meet on the streets speak of true love,
Most of the time theyre sittin and cryin at home.
One of these days they know they better get goin
Out of the door and down on the streets all alone.
Truckin, like the do-dah man. once told me youve got to play your hand
Sometimes your cards aint worth a dime, if you dont layem down,
Sometimes the lights all shinin on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip its been.
What in the world ever became of sweet jane?
She lost her sparkle, you know she isnt the same
Livin on reds, vitamin c, and cocaine,
All a friend can say is aint it a shame?
Truckin, up to buffalo. been thinkin, you got to mellow slow
Takes time, you pick a place to go, and just keep truckin on.
Sittin and starin out of the hotel window.
Got a tip theyre gonna kick the door in again
Id like to get some sleep before I travel,
But if you got a warrant, I guess youre gonna come in.
Busted, down on bourbon street, set up, like a bowlin pin.
Knocked down, it gets to wearin thin. they just wont let you be, oh no.
Youre sick of hangin around and youd like to travel;
Get tired of travelin and you want to settle down.
I guess they cant revoke your soul for tryin,
Get out of the door and light out and look all around.
Sometimes the lights all shinin on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip its been.
Truckin, Im a goin home. whoa whoa baby, back where I belong,
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin on.
Hey now get back truckin home.
***
One of the coolest songs of all time! 😵