Out here now and settled in, have the choice of a Ford Explorer or a Kia Sedona to drive. Not had any problems so far, driving is very easy here. Being able to turn right on a red light is brilliant.
They have a much better drink-drive policy and I'm a big fan of the way they double penalties in road works if people are actually working there. Don't like the lack of roundabouts.
Most people seem to stick to the speed limit around town, apart from on the freeways. It's a 55 limit, and everyone (and I mean everyone) is plowing along at 20-30mph above this. We were told by the police when we arrived to stick rigidly to this speed limit, which I've been doing.
However, it's getting to be really disconcerting having a massive truck thunder past at 70mph (corollary: perhaps this is why they have so many road deaths?), and I'm opening the question to the floor: is is safer to stick to the 55mph limit, or simply do the same speed as everyone else and take the chance of being stopped (and shot)?
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I was stopped for doing 70 in New York state 13 years ago - I hadn't learnt words like mimser and craphound then ! Back in the US next week (Boston) and was doing some route planning when your post came up. Working on the assumption that "progress" is not really frowned on on the interstates.
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So much depends on the state you are in. Right turn on read is universal in some states, not allowed in other states, and allowed at certain junctions in other states. Same with drink driving. In some states it is legal to drink alcohol while actually driving, so long as your ability to operate the vehicle is not impaired. If that doesn't make sense to you, try telling a 6'4" red-neck just off his shift at the plant that he can't have a beer while cruising home in his pick-up. These are usually the same states that allow civilians to carry a firearm in public places.
Motorway limit should be 65 mph when 25 miles from an urban area (so, rural motorway sections). I always keep to the prevailing speed unless it is manifestly unsafe. Cops tend to nab people in the left lane of motorways, since many people treat that lane as the 'anything goes' area. Overtake at 110? Why not!
Unlike the liberal use of cameras over here, the things are almost unheard of in the US. Red light cameras, however, more prevalent.
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On unfamiliar fast roads, I take my speed cue from what seems to be the most confident brisk traffic, paying particular attention when it all backs off gently to the speed limit.
I wouldn't dream of sticking rigidly to the speed limit if everyone else was doing 20mph over it. As you point out in your OP DH, doing that can feel uncomfortable.
So my advice to you is to enjoy the fact that everyone ignores the silly low freeway limit and stop worrying about being shot. No need to go to extremes and get on late night TV of course, but when in Rome...
I hope you are enjoying what is still probably the world's cheapest and easiest motoring, and the generally welcoming and courteous comportment of ordinary Americans.
Edited by Lud on 29/06/2008 at 15:34
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I drove some distance on the Florida Turnpike recently - speed limit is 70 and vast majority of the traffic (not that there was much of it) of all sizes was travelling at just over 70.
Compared to a UK road though, it was very heavily policed - we saw a fair number of people pulled over.
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>>.. it was very heavily policed - we saw a fair number of people pulled over.
The same as I saw on a drive from LA to Las Vegas on th I15. A number of SUVs had gone past at over 80mph and sure enough just before LA, there were about 20 of them who had been ambushed by a waiting posse of Patrol cars. They had been clocked by the helicopter cops.
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