Talking to people from outside the US about driving in the US

[Exterous]

I was working with several people who recently came over from India and we were chatting about random things and driving came up. Apparently they were as apprehensive about driving here as I would be driving in some of the insane traffic of their home cities. They all agreed that their first time driving in the US they were all afraid as they had never driven faster than ~40mph because of the traffic so cars and semis flying around at 80+ seemed crazy to them.

Another guy was from Africa and was shocked at how respected traffic signals were. "A truck is speeding down the road but this little white guy shows up on a sign and people just trust the truck will stop. They don't even look to make sure its slowing down - they just walk out into the road. Insane."

Thats why I love talking to people from other areas\cultures - its a good mirror on your own and the things you take for granted as 'normal'.

 

[brianmanahan]

i work with a lady who grew up in india. she used to drive there before she moved to the US. but once she got used to people generally following traffic rules here (cyclists notwithstanding), she can't bring herself to drive in india anymore because it just freaks her out.

also i have a number of relatives who have always lived in rural areas (towns of 1000 people or less) and refuse to drive in "big" cities... and not even that big, i'm talking cleveland or columbus. it just freaks them out and they can't believe i haven't died driving there yet.

 

[KMFJD]

After driving in a 3rd world country for a couple of months it took a couple of days to get back to North American driving...was driving way to aggresive

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Wife was doing >80 MPH almost every time we go out onto the interstate highway if traffic permitted it (mean not too congested). This is a normal thing in my county and several of the adjacent counties in North Georgia. If you want to go slower, try the local streets where 55-65 is the norm. Otherwise walk.

 

[KillerCharlie]

I like driving in the UK more. They have the most orderly freeway driving I've ever seen. They absolutely follow the rules on driving in the proper lane (stay left unless you're passing or going faster). When it's not busy the police don't seem to car much about the speed limit. I've been driving 90mph and got passed by police. Unlike the US, they don't yield to pedestrians that don't have the right of way.

 

[UnklSnappy]

 

[LikeLinus]

Sure, it's a completely different experience driving in some Latin America countries and 3rd world countries. Haven't been to Africa so I can't speak on that. But In the 4-5 countries I've been in Central and South America, holy crap it's like a huge game of chicken. The lines really are meaningless and they will push your ass off the road. I've seen some crazy driving.

On the other hand, go to Germany where they totally respect the road and other drivers. Drove on the Autobahn and I was amazed how cars actually knew to move to the right lane when someone traveling at a high rate of speed is coming up on you in the left lane. Who knew??? In the US, jackasses block the lanes and impede traffic on purpose. Ugh.

 

[bradly1101]

An outside perspective is always enlightening. I like to see the views here at AT from foreign soil. That's why I read/watch a lot of foreign news (Japan, France, Germany...).

 

[eng2d2]

I was driving on the autobahn going 90mph when a car got behind me, flash his lights so many times and blasted me with his hiorn.. lol. I felt like a grandpa.