Driving Standards

[WhereIBelong]

We found it was ok - once you got used to the fact that (at Easter anyhow) the roads can be nose to tail at speed.

Here the I4 would be like the M25 when that busy - stationary... there it is just as packed, nose to tail, but fast moving. If you ease off to leave a gap it just gets filled.

[Autumn Daze]

Well as someone who was feeling nervous about driving in a foreign country on my upcoming trip, maybe I shouldn't have read this thread!

It actually sounds fairly similar to the driving between the airports and Manhattan, granted I've only ever been a passenger but it always felt stressful! At least this time I'm in control of the car, so that will help.

[Wismgari]

I should not have read this thread! Have never driven in America or even on the left of the road... December will be an experience!

[Loftus]

Originally Posted by Wismgari

I should not have read this thread! Have never driven in America or even on the left of the road... December will be an experience!

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It will be an experience if you drive on the left of the road!

[Wismgari]

Originally Posted by Loftus

It will be an experience if you drive on the left of the road!

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Haha oh dear :/ Can I claim not enough sleep?!

[Florida again]

Over the 25 years I've been driving I've certainly noticed a big decline in driving standards, both here and in the US. People not letting you out of junctions, cutting you up, speeding to overtake, impatient horn blowing, using phones, tail gating etc.

Can you imagine if we walked around the streets the way we drive, would make a great Dom Joly sketch! but you just wouldn't do it.

I blame it on the younger generation and the breakdown of society 😳 Actually I don't but thought I'd try and deflect away from me becoming a middle aged grumpy old man.

[Rowlf]

To be fair although US drivers do love to tailgate they don't get as het up as European drivers do, and very rarely blow their horns except as a necessary warning.

[animal 1970]

Originally Posted by Blueyes

Hi. Just got back and I was shocked at how bad the driving standards have become. In previous visits it has been just OK but this time it's atrocious. They never indicate, they constantly swap lanes to gain a cars length. I know it's legal to undertake but when the speed limit is 65/70 on the highway and you get people swerving out of the outside lane into the inside lane and back again at 90mph without indication it's beyond a joke. The wife was a nervous wreck in the passenger seat. Her cousin lives in Tampa and said her sons driving test involved going in and out of cones on a car park and not even going on the road, so that explains a lot. You have to have your wits about you as there are no rules on the highway

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oh no its my first time driving out there in 4 weeks and I was a little nervous but know I am scared stiff

[Megara]

Originally Posted by Loftus

After reading this thread, and preparing to drive for the first time in the States for many years, I'm thinking of upgrading my hire car to a tank.

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Me too! Feeling even more nervous now! Reading this wasn't the best idea

[WDocW]

Originally Posted by Megara

Me too! Feeling even more nervous now! Reading this wasn't the best idea

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Honestly it's fine. You just need to give it a day to settle in and appreciate that Americans make much more efficient use of available space than we do on the freeway - when you join for example people will not move over or hang right back to let you out, but they WILL leave you (just) enough room to slot in. It is a bit unsettling at first but once you settle in and go with the flow its actually easier than driving over here I find.