Slower Traffic Keep Right (Houston, San Antonio: how much, live, move to)

[SA Greed]

Yeah, A co-worker from LA told me that over there, they enforce the Jaywalking law. They have intersections where all the lights are red and people cross diagonally. That tripped me out! Also the motorcycles driving between traffic.

Speaking of being pinned, one of my pet peeves is when people pass a semi and you come up behind them but they don't continue through however maintain speed with the truck and you get stuck between the semi and the concrete barrier. Ugh!!

[SA Greed]

Originally Posted by rd2007

I'm originally from Michigan and had to take an entire semester long class, complete at least 100 hours in the simulator and do driving tests for three days and they were real tests in the real world..

Wow, were you preparing to drive/fly the space shuttle? j/k I had to say it... Have a great day!

[patriotizm]

RE: easy driver's tests

Well, sheesh. Maybe that does explain a lot.

[rd2007]

Originally Posted by SA Greed

Yeah, A co-worker from LA told me that over there, they enforce the Jaywalking law. They have intersections where all the lights are red and people cross diagonally. That tripped me out! Also the motorcycles driving between traffic.

Speaking of being pinned, one of my pet peeves is when people pass a semi and you come up behind them but they don't continue through however maintain speed with the truck and you get stuck between the semi and the concrete barrier. Ugh!!

I spent most of the 90's in California and could never understand those fools driving bikes between cars. It is legal because it's left over from the old days of air cooled motorcycles and their need to keep moving so they didn't burn up. I used to own an air cooled Yamaha when I was a teen and never had that issue..
I also hate it when people stick you next to a semi. I can't stand being near them or gravel trucks and chances are I'm the one honking if you have me blocked in next to one of those things.. Gravel trucks are definitely my most hated though. I wish it was legal to carry around a bag of rocks and launch them at every one of those things. at least they finally got rid of that stupid we're not responsible for damages sign. I have no idea how they possibly thought they could actually get away with that..

Originally Posted by SA Greed

Wow, were you preparing to drive/fly the space shuttle? j/k I had to say it... Have a great day!

hey, we're good drivers, what can I say...
In Michigan it was always normal to drive 80-100 on the highways and pretty much everyone did it. The federal gov't threatened to cut off funding after they did a study and found the average speed was around 80 and that was in the bad, BAD 55 MPH speed limit days...
more proof can be found on the Michigan/Ohio border. Just watch all the red lights as soon as a Michigander crosses the border into Ohio.. we despise those police and they enforce the letter of the law to the point of being annoying

[SA Greed]

Wow, like driving through Leon Valley.

[wCat]

Originally Posted by rd2007

Gravel trucks are definitely my most hated though. I wish it was legal to carry around a bag of rocks and launch them at every one of those things. at least they finally got rid of that stupid we're not responsible for damages sign. I have no idea how they possibly thought they could actually get away with that..

Just FYI......those signs were taken off the trucks because legislation was passed that says they ARE responsible for damages from any kind of debris or items that might fly off the back of open topped trucks. They are required now to have covered beds. If any damage happens on public roads, try to memorize or jot down the company and license number. The city or county has more information on this. I wish it had happened a couple of years sooner before my windshield was shattered by a chunk of rock flying.

[Turtle_Mom]

I just have to add that every city I have lived in they say 'We have the worst drivers in the US/World/State' etc. I was browsing the Utah forum because I used to live in Logan and there is a thread saying "Logan has the worst drivers!" lol

Driving here isn't that bad, LA is much worse. Houston is a nightmare but that is more about the roads than the drivers.

What drives me nuts are all the side roads that used to be 'country roads' and the locals get pissed off when we drive speed limit and/or don't pull over for them to pass. I drive on Evans and stay less than 5 over (I got a ticket once!) and I get tailgated and passed on that road all the time. Usually by guys in pickup trucks.

[rd2007]

Originally Posted by wCat

Just FYI......those signs were taken off the trucks because legislation was passed that says they ARE responsible for damages from any kind of debris or items that might fly off the back of open topped trucks. They are required now to have covered beds. If any damage happens on public roads, try to memorize or jot down the company and license number. The city or county has more information on this. I wish it had happened a couple of years sooner before my windshield was shattered by a chunk of rock flying.

amazingly, the only time I had a crack in my windshield was while I was sitting at the Ingram Rd. light on the access road next to Ingram Park mall.. I was just sitting there waiting for the light when a rock fell out of the sky and hit my windshield. Scared the crap out of me and I thought someone was shooting at me.. I'm guessing it came off a truck driving down 410.
Those covers don't really help much and most of the rocks come from under the trucks. I will do whatever it takes to get away from them and can't stand it when they are flying down the highways. Their brakes are far from Porsche quality and one of those smashing into your car will definitely ruin your day.. I wish they made roads just for them

Originally Posted by Turtle_Mom

I just have to add that every city I have lived in they say 'We have the worst drivers in the US/World/State' etc. I was browsing the Utah forum because I used to live in Logan and there is a thread saying "Logan has the worst drivers!" lol

Driving here isn't that bad, LA is much worse. Houston is a nightmare but that is more about the roads than the drivers.

What drives me nuts are all the side roads that used to be 'country roads' and the locals get pissed off when we drive speed limit and/or don't pull over for them to pass. I drive on Evans and stay less than 5 over (I got a ticket once!) and I get tailgated and passed on that road all the time. Usually by guys in pickup trucks.

I liked LA because at least they drive FAST. I remember having to get out of the HOV lane because my car literally would not go any faster and I had a train behind me.. that was fun
I hate them when they're packed and not moving at all though, but for the most part I was usually going quite a bit over the speed limit and still going with the flow of traffic. San Diego was a million times better though. There were certain highways to avoid at certain times, but for the most part they flowed smooth and fast. They also drove 50-60 on the main roads, so it was easy to get anywhere in good time.
San Antonio is by far the worst drivers for me. Most drive slow and about 50% hang out in the left lane. I've never seen anything like it and can't imagine anywhere being worse.. although florida is a VERY close second.. I suppose they could be the worst because it's not just one city, the whole freaking state can't drive

[pacific_trader]

I'm especially bad about this when driving on I-10 between San Antonio and Houston. I get in the left lane, go about 3 miles faster than the speed limit, and set my cruise control, so that I won't be going faster than anyone ahead of me and almost never have to slow down. I get incredible MPG that way, but people really, really hate me lol.

[Texas Princess]

Try Chicago traffic, coming into the city from Northbrook, traffic is so bad it made me really appreciate SA traffic. BUT i'll tell you one thing, Chicago drivers are the BEST. Why? because they use their blinkers! Sure, they may give you the bird, they may honk, but those good people use their blinkers!