Driving to Florida soon from Ontario, worried and scared

[MillauFr]

I know Mexicans who won't go home anymore because travel is so treacherous in some areas. Sad, really.

Is it really more dangerous than driving America's freeways?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Didn't the one in Charlotte have his gun in his hand?

No gun was seen in any video not to mention that the woman telling them not to shoot him said several times he does not have a gun.
I believe the police spokes person also said that you cannot see him holding a gun in the videos but said that officers told him the man had a gun in his hand.
They did supposedly recover a gun.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

17 pages on gun violence and Mexico?

 

[NotUrsula]

Getting back to the realistic aspects of the OP's concern: use common sense. I'd tell the same thing to ANYONE driving cross-country in the US -- and for that matter, in Europe or Canada.

Don't decide to get off the interstate in the wee hours of the morning to look for gasoline. food, or somewhere to sleep, either in an inner city -OR- in a rural area where no businesses are obviously visible right off the highway. Don't use highway public toilets in the wee dark hours, either. If you are stopping to sleep, make a reservation in advance so that you know exactly where you are headed. If you want to drive through the night, stop in the early evening to fill your gas tank and your stomachs, and to take care of nature's call. Perhaps put a thermos in the car if you believe that your driver will need coffee refills in the wee hours. As on any long journey, make sure that your vehicle is in good shape and roadworthy, and do carry a few emergency supplies in the car in case of a breakdown, and to make rest shifts more comfortable for those not driving at the time. If you have a CAA membership, make sure that you have the US reciprocal assistance phone number handy. (And a good charger and/or spare battery for your cell phone.) Carry paper maps, too, because sometimes your phone or GPS won't be able to get a signal, and it never fails that it happens just when you need to know the number of an exit.

In a side note, I find that a couple of really good suspense novels make a long drive go MUCH faster in my mind. Nothing like a great audio book to keep you alert and pass the time, without adding to eyestrain.

The most dangerous thing that most people will deal with on a drive like this will be exhaustion, boredom and eyestrain; all of which are prone to causing accidents. Long-haul drives to Orlando are some of the most common situations where people get into wrecks, either on their own or by being hit by another driver suffering from the above-noted problems. If none of you routinely drive long-distance at night, make sure you keep the length of your driving shifts pretty short ... less than 2 hours at a time is best. Your eyes will get too tired for safety LONG before the rest of your body does.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Is it really more dangerous than driving America's freeways?

Unfortunately, yes.

 

[Hikergirl]

OP, I am thinking of driving down to FL from NY with a friend for a girls weekend. The only thing I'm concerned about is a car accident. You have more of a chance of being in one of those than you do being gunned down by an angry mob while you are stranded with no gas.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

OP, I am thinking of driving down to FL from NY with a friend for a girls weekend. The only thing I'm concerned about is a car accident. You have more of a chance of being in one of those than you do being gunned down by an angry mob while you are stranded with no gas.

I just finalized plans to drive from WNY to Florida myself!
This is something my family has done many times in the past with the last time being 2014.
We're not going until the week before Easter so we have time for things to "settle down" but we are not at all worried about things that the OP is concerned about.
Honestly we are more concerned with hitting traffic than anything else lol.

Heck we drove down and stayed in a hotel along the way that was in the same area that the DC snipers shot someone at a gas station just a short time before and this is when they were still at large.
We were not concerned.

 

[Bluestars]

I understand that, but can you see based on recent incidents how a black man specifically can be lawfully carrying a gun and be perceived as a threat by law enforcement, regardless of how he responds to the officers? There is a clear issue in this country with these particular situations, although many would deny it.

It is definitely reported in the media when it happens, even before the facts are in. What is rarely reported is when the person is white, which happens too. It gives the perception that people of one race are being shot without provocation, when in reality almost every case is a person who is resisting arrest and not doing as the cops order them to do. There are rogue cops who have shot white people and black people. I think people need to be educated on what to do if an officer confronts you and to never resist arrest.

 

[Dentam]

Shooting at a school in S.C. today. Two students and one teacher injured.

 

[Dentam]

It is definitely reported in the media when it happens, even before the facts are in. What is rarely reported is when the person is white, which happens too. It gives the perception that people of one race are being shot without provocation, when in reality almost every case is a person who is resisting arrest and not doing as the cops order them to do. There are rogue cops who have shot white people and black people. I think people need to be educated on what to do if an officer confronts you and to never resist arrest.

Yes, it happens too, and I have seen it reported. It is not as frequent though. I think to be in denial about race issues in this country is common but sooner or later people need to acknowledge the problems and do more to fix them.

 

[tigercat]

Okay so a couple more shootings have happened since I last posted. I realize that they are far apart and the last one in a school. I have set my course and taken in the good advice that I have been given. What is nagging me though are the posters who said their piece in a bit of a nasty way (don't come into our Country ect) that show the attitude that one should be wary of, especially if they are carrying a gun. Since most posters have been very nice you hope and assume that they majority of people will be as well. I always try to be very pleasant and nice to people and usually that does help. I am sure I will have a great vacation.

One thing I would like to say though to many Americans. Canadians do not live in Igloos, we all do not have dog sled and if you come to Canada where I live don't expect to go skiing until probably (at least in the last several years) January. You would have better luck going skiing in one of the many States that gets a lot more snow than we do. The area that I live in is SOUTH of quite a bit of some of the States in the U.S. LOL

 

[wvjules]

Okay so a couple more shootings have happened since I last posted. I realize that they are far apart and the last one in a school. I have set my course and taken in the good advice that I have been given. What is nagging me though are the posters who said their piece in a bit of a nasty way (don't come into our Country ect) that show the attitude that one should be wary of, especially if they are carrying a gun. Since most posters have been very nice you hope and assume that they majority of people will be as well. I always try to be very pleasant and nice to people and usually that does help. I am sure I will have a great vacation.

One thing I would like to say though to many Americans. Canadians do not live in Igloos, we all do not have dog sled and if you come to Canada where I live don't expect to go skiing until probably (at least in the last several years) January. You would have better luck going skiing in one of the many States that gets a lot more snow than we do. The area that I live in is SOUTH of quite a bit of some of the States in the U.S. LOL

Really? You think someone that says something to you "in a nasty way" will whip out their gun and shoot you (or shoot anyone, I guess). You seem to have little faith in people.

Do you really also think that most Americans think Canadians live in Igloos and have dog sleds?

 

[gwynne]

Okay so a couple more shootings have happened since I last posted. I realize that they are far apart and the last one in a school. I have set my course and taken in the good advice that I have been given. What is nagging me though are the posters who said their piece in a bit of a nasty way (don't come into our Country ect) that show the attitude that one should be wary of, especially if they are carrying a gun. Since most posters have been very nice you hope and assume that they majority of people will be as well. I always try to be very pleasant and nice to people and usually that does help. I am sure I will have a great vacation.

One thing I would like to say though to many Americans. Canadians do not live in Igloos, we all do not have dog sled and if you come to Canada where I live don't expect to go skiing until probably (at least in the last several years) January. You would have better luck going skiing in one of the many States that gets a lot more snow than we do. The area that I live in is SOUTH of quite a bit of some of the States in the U.S. LOL

I'm not sure it's helpful to delve into unpleasant stereotypes.

How to travel safely? Use basic, ordinary precautions. Treat others as you would like to be treated. That pretty much covers all the bases.

 

[luvsJack]

Okay so a couple more shootings have happened since I last posted. I realize that they are far apart and the last one in a school. I have set my course and taken in the good advice that I have been given. What is nagging me though are the posters who said their piece in a bit of a nasty way (don't come into our Country ect) that show the attitude that one should be wary of, especially if they are carrying a gun. Since most posters have been very nice you hope and assume that they majority of people will be as well. I always try to be very pleasant and nice to people and usually that does help. I am sure I will have a great vacation.

One thing I would like to say though to many Americans. Canadians do not live in Igloos, we all do not have dog sled and if you come to Canada where I live don't expect to go skiing until probably (at least in the last several years) January. You would have better luck going skiing in one of the many States that gets a lot more snow than we do. The area that I live in is SOUTH of quite a bit of some of the States in the U.S. LOL

To your last paragraph: I would hope that most Americans would know these things. But any that don't, probably don't want to know better.

But let me turn it to you: Americans do not walk around armed to the gill. We are not out having shoot outs like the old West. Yes, there have been mass shootings. Yes, there have been bombs. And yes there have been some people shot by police officers for a variety of reasons (this is nothing new, its just the new agenda). Some are carrying for protection. Carrying legally and responsibly. We are more likely to save your life than to shoot you. Most guns in the US are for hunting. For the most part, we are not violent. Are there violent crimes? Yes, but that doesn't mean is the norm. Just like the things I listed above are not the norm. You aren't going to see Wild Bill Hickok and Doc Holiday look alikes walking down the street with guns strapped to their sides. It is not like a war zone. Not even close.

I am assuming you have been to Orlando before. Did you have any problems? Did you get stopped by crazed police officers? Did you get caught in a riot? Did you get shot by some random stranger? Well, its not likely to happen this time either. You are in more danger of having a serious auto accident on your trip than any of the things you are worried about.

 

[Magpie]

Really? You think someone that says something to you "in a nasty way" will whip out their gun and shoot you (or shoot anyone, I guess). You seem to have little faith in people.

Do you really also think that most Americans think Canadians live in Igloos and have dog sleds?

I did once have a southern American compliment me on how well I speak English (when it's the only language I speak), but I would be very surprised if any Americans truly thought we lived in igloos.

On the other hand, Rick Mercer's hilarious "Talking to Americans" series would suggest some Americans might actually surprise me...

 

[luvsJack]

Yes, it happens too, and I have seen it reported. It is not as frequent though. I think to be in denial about race issues in this country is common but sooner or later people need to acknowledge the problems and do more to fix them.

You must be digging for it then, I haven't seen the reports. And it is very close in frequency. There are race issues, no doubt about it but all of these police shooting are not racial and to claim they are is ridiculous.

 

[Dentam]

You must be digging for it then, I haven't seen the reports. And it is very close in frequency. There are race issues, no doubt about it but all of these police shooting are not racial and to claim they are is ridiculous.

Nope, I've actually had them come up on my Facebook feed.

That is your opinion and you have a right to it.

 

[luvsJack]

Nope, I've actually had them come up on my Facebook feed.

That is your opinion and you have a right to it.

I am curious, in your opinion, all of them are racially motivated? Not one has had a thing to do with what the person was doing?

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

I did once have a southern American compliment me on how well I speak English (when it's the only language I speak), but I would be very surprised if any Americans truly thought we lived in igloos.

On the other hand, Rick Mercer's hilarious "Talking to Americans" series would suggest some Americans might actually surprise me...

I live in the Green Bay, WI area. Home of the iconic Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers. Recently, the Wisconsin Badgers (college football team) played a game vs Louisiana State Univ. (LSU) AT Lambeau Field. It was a big deal for Green Bay and for both of those schools/teams. We had an influx of Lousiana fans to the area. Wisconsin cities have a lot of Native American names. Our local media filmed Louisiana fans (with their southern accents) trying to pronounce these Wisconsin city names. It was hilarious!
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/videos/news/local/2016/09/03/89795850/

 

[tigercat]

I know that not all people who are nasty will have guns and will shoot people. I keep trying to say that but it seems that some do not want to let it go. As for the second paragraph everytime we go to the States (last several years we have flown into Florida for our cruise but my parents used to have a mobile home down there where I used to visit every year) we have to let people from the States know that those things are not true. EVERY TIME so yes there are a number of people that have no idea. As well trying to tell someone that there are many parts of the U.S. that are farther north than we are is just frustrating. They don't believe facts. One time I asked if a certain company was up near Ontario Canada so that I could go there to get more of the product. The sales lady was trying to find out where in the U.S. Canada was. I kept telling her that Canada was a different Country and not part of the U.S. Of course when I asked about Buffalo N.Y. she also didn't know where that was.

When asked these questions I try to answer them nicely but realizing that the person asking won't believe me anyway. And they generally don't.

I am NOT saying that all Americans don't know this, I am NOT saying that all Americans are stupid, I am NOT saying that all Americas are bad people.
tigercat