Driving in the US - Bad drivers

[patdavies]

paulh is offering good advice.

In California, I have been told by CHP that it is a traffic violation to change lanes more than 3 times in a half mile.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think you need to have a positive/confident approach to driving in Orlando, especially on the busy intertstates, keep your eyes peeled for traffic in all the lanes, always indicate when necessary and observe speed limits.

With the traffic moving more frequently from lane to lane than in the UK it's important to keep focused on what is happening around you.

 

[Minniespal]

I think you need to have a positive/confident approach to driving in Orlando, especially on the busy intertstates, keep your eyes peeled for traffic in all the lanes, always indicate when necessary and observe speed limits.

Well said Johnny

 

[isla bonita]

Driving in the Disney area can be at times just plain crazy. Many people down are not familiar with the roads and area in general and I think that adds the crazy to the drive.

Being excited, trying to read signs, thr result can lead to not paying attention to the drive as much as to the scenery.

 

[cleo]

paulh is offering good advice.

In California, I have been told by CHP that it is a traffic violation to change lanes more than 3 times in a half mile.

Really? I wonder if that's just a California thing, as there is no such law anywhere I've ever been. If there is, they certainly don't enforce it!

They can get you for 'weaving', which tends to mean darting in and out of lanes, passing other drivers in the process (speeding). But again, I have never seen anyone pulled over for weaving, and it happens all the time.

 

[basas]

I think you need to have a positive/confident approach to driving in Orlando, especially on the busy intertstates, keep your eyes peeled for traffic in all the lanes, always indicate when necessary and observe speed limits.

With the traffic moving more frequently from lane to lane than in the UK it's important to keep focused on what is happening around you.

As Cleo said, that may be true, but you'd never see anyone pulled over for that sort of thing. I think the main thing is to keep the traffic moving. Yes, people are going to be darting in and out of lanes, passing on the left, perhaps moving two lanes to the right, and passing the car in front on the right, but as long as they aren't being really stupid (driving much faster than everyone while weaving in and out and in and out or something), and are following the flow of traffic, I don't think you'll get a second glance from a cop. If you're a nervous driver, best just to pick a lane and stick in it. But if you're doing the speed limit in one of the middle lanes, be prepared for cars to be passing on both sides, and changing lanes in front, and behind you.

 

[paulh]

As Cleo said, that may be true, but you'd never see anyone pulled over for that sort of thing. I think the main thing is to keep the traffic moving. Yes, people are going to be darting in and out of lanes, passing on the left, perhaps moving two lanes to the right, and passing the car in front on the right, but as long as they aren't being really stupid (driving much faster than everyone while weaving in and out and in and out or something), and are following the flow of traffic, I don't think you'll get a second glance from a cop. If you're a nervous driver, best just to pick a lane and stick in it. But if you're doing the speed limit in one of the middle lanes, be prepared for cars to be passing on both sides, and changing lanes in front, and behind you.

I think cleo was refering to the roads in LA where trafick is heaver and more lanes involved
Paulh

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Yes, people are going to be darting in and out of lanes, passing on the left, perhaps moving two lanes to the right, and passing the car in front on the right, but as long as they aren't being really stupid (driving much faster than everyone while weaving in and out and in and out or something

Unfortunatley people do just that, which is why I said it's advisable to be alert and keep your eyes on the road and be prepared for cars weaving in and out at speed.

 

[cleo]

I think cleo was refering to the roads in LA where trafick is heaver and more lanes involved
Paulh

Nope, I meant all over the US.

 

[Night-train]

I always find it best to just keep up with the majority of the traffic, whether they're sticking to the speed limit or not. That way you reduce the number of faster drivers you have to keep an eye out for, and the police can't possibly stop every single vehicle that's going over the limit either!

 

[basas]

Unfortunatley people do just that, which is why I said it's advisable to be alert and keep your eyes on the road and be prepared for cars weaving in and out at speed.

But thats not necessarily a bad thing. I agree that intense weaving in and out of traffic is not a good idea...but if I'm behind a car that is travelling slower than me and will not get out of the left lane, I will move left, or right to pass the car on either side that is easier. It's just the way we drive over here....its a difference, not necessarily something bad.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

But thats not necessarily a bad thing. I agree that intense weaving in and out of traffic is not a good idea...but if I'm behind a car that is travelling slower than me and will not get out of the left lane, I will move left, or right to pass the car on either side that is easier. It's just the way we drive over here....its a difference, not necessarily something bad.

Well yes I understand that if a car is in front of you that is travelling much slower, I think most people would move left or right - either way, with the traffic at times weaving in and out you just need to ensure you keep a watchful eye on the road.

 

[Stinson]

I'm joining in this conversation two months late, but I had to respond. As someone has already said, most people on the roads in Orlando have arrived by plane and then rented a car, usually with Florida plates, but possibly with plates from any State in the U.S. So the driving habits that you will encounter in Orlando are an amalgam of international driving skills and practices. Although right turns are allowed on a red light in Florida, some drivers come from areas where this is not permitted, and that driver will most likely not, under any circumstances, turn right on red. I am always patient with these drivers. Other drivers come from areas, such as my native Boston, Massachusetts, where courtesy and protocol require that an offended driver communicate his feelings by honking and gesturing as often as possible. Whenever I am in Florida, if I see a car with Massachusetts plates, I always honk and gesture, whether the other driver has offended me or not. So, if someone in Florida honks, gestures, drives too closely, cuts you off, shouts, spits, throws objects, etc., check his plates to see if they match yours . . . it may only be that he is trying to communicate with you and he thinks you are fluent in in his native language.

 

[cleo]

So, if someone in Florida honks, gestures, drives too closely, cuts you off, shouts, spits, throws objects, etc., check his plates to see if they match yours . . . it may only be that he is trying to communicate with you and he thinks you are fluent in in his native language.

Then again, maybe he or she didn't take the time to find out what's acceptable behavior in the State they are visiting. These things would never be seen as an attempt to 'communicate'. 3 things on your list are ticketable offences in Florida. 4 are just plain rude, no matter what 'language' you speak.

 

[Bonnie151]

Other drivers come from areas, such as my native Boston, Massachusetts, where courtesy and protocol require that an offended driver communicate his feelings by honking and gesturing as often as possible. Whenever I am in Florida, if I see a car with Massachusetts plates, I always honk and gesture, whether the other driver has offended me or not. So, if someone in Florida honks, gestures, drives too closely, cuts you off, shouts, spits, throws objects, etc., check his plates to see if they match yours . . . it may only be that he is trying to communicate with you and he thinks you are fluent in in his native language.

Too true! (I used to be a Mass native a very long time ago...)


Cleo- Mass drivers are INFAMOUS in the US, particularly those from Boston. Is it rude? Of course, but I think most Americans would just take one look at a Massachusetts plate and mutter under their breath, "those d*** Mass drivers!"

 

[Stinson]

Cleo . . . it was a joke.

 

[cleo]

I know.

Still, you see a lot of what you've posted and I don't think some drivers realize just what sort of trouble they can get into. Did you know there's a law against 'illegal use of horn'? If you're from Boston, it's possible you don't!

 

[Stinson]

Cloe - I'm sorry if I offended you with my comments.
__________________
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Well-behaved Boston Drivers Rarely Make It To Work (on time).

 

[cleo]

I'm not offended at all, Stinson. If I offend that easily you'd have every right to roll your eyes in disgust.

I only made the comments because there are so many people from other places who don't actaully know what the laws are in Florida and, as we have all sadly seen, someone is bound to take whatever they read on the internet seriously.

Because I live just outside Disney I see driving that makes my jaw drop and my eyeballs bug out on a daily basis. My son is 14, and pretty soon he's going to have to drive through some horrible intersections where drivers seem to go temporarily insane. I meant nothing more than a gentle reminder to those who DO act in the ways you describe, that some of those things are ticketable, and the police have been out a bit more than normal. I hope it helps because it's a real problem.

No offense taken and certainly no offense intended on my part. I knew you were joking, but after reading the boards for the last 10 years, I also felt a little reminder wasn't out of order.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Just passing through but wanted to drop my two cents on the way.

Orlando is the scariest place I've ever driven in the US (not that I've driven outside of the US including Canada or Mexico). Leaving out the drivers from other countries, drivers from different areas inside the US definitely do not drive alike. If your driver is from an urban area their habits will reflect the local customs (high speed tailgating in heavy traffic for Atlanta residents for example). If your driver is from a rural/barely inhabited area you should also watch out for unexpected lane changing and self centered behaviours because they just aren't used to other cars being on the road.

I've found the best trick to getting around Orlando safely is to buy a map and avoid I-4.