Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
In a couple of the threads around, I was startled to find that I was about to suggest routes based on trying to avoid Maryland and New Jersey because of traffic and experiences I had long ago with hinky cops/troopers trying to be jerks and improve state revenues. That may no longer be the case, but it left me wondering if there is any consensus on states to avoid because of bad driving experiences.
One state that I don't like driving in is North Carolina, because it is nearly impossible to wander across the state off the main highways. The secondary roads are unnumbered and signposted with only local names that change every few miles, and one becomes immediately hopelessly lost if turning off a main numbered highway. Illinois and Oklahoma are somewhat like that, too, but at least their roads go more or less straight NS or EW. If I have to stay on main highways, I'd just as soon not drive there at all. I've never used GPS, but that probably makes it different.
I have driven in every state and most provinces and can't say that there are any that I avoid or have had a problem driving in. The worst is probably some of the plains states if only for the tedium.
Don't know how bad it is now, but it is one of the few places where I have actually grabbed for a gun while driving around minding my own bi'ness.
Years ago, the joke used to be that if you drove through New Mexico and you were stopped, it was because you were committing a crime: Being a resident of Texas.
You would be written a ticket, and forced to sign a "Confession of guilt" (something I did not think happened in America) If you refused to sign it, you were then taken to the nearest jail where you had to wait for a judge, who would declare you guilty of whatever the arresting officer said and charge you a hefty fine plus court costs.
SO I get pulled over, of course near Albuquerque and the Highway Patrol who stopped me said he was writing me a ticket for speeding. Never let me see the radar gun, or the inspection sticker for it. Told me he'd take me in if I argued. Well, the guy was too dumb to ask if the Drivers License I gave him was valid or not, he copies it onto the ticket and sends me on my way. Gives me a written citation for $300.
I never paid it. That was some 2 years ago.
A year or so later, I checked with the Texas Dept of Public safety, told them the story, wanted to know if New Mexico sent out any warrants for me. They laughed and said "NO but we get calls like yours all the time. Don;t even worry about it" SO just for fun, I call long distance to the New Mexico department, they look it up and say "Oh yeah we sent out a warrant for you but we never heard back, did you move or something?" I just laughed and said a few obscenities and hung up.
Doubt after 23 years they can do anything about it, but i New Mexico , one never knows.
I have no plans to go or pass through there again.
My friend in West Texas who is a cop says that they frequently still harass people in Texas who come across from New Mexico, so possibly things have not changed. This in retaliation to what they see as unfair legal practices in New Mexico.
Don't know how bad it is now, but it is one of the few places where I have actually grabbed for a gun while driving around minding my own bi'ness.
Years ago, the joke used to be that if you drove through New Mexico and you were stopped, it was because you were committing a crime: Being a resident of Texas.
You would be written a ticket, and forced to sign a "Confession of guilt" (something I did not think happened in America) If you refused to sign it, you were then taken to the nearest jail where you had to wait for a judge, who would declare you guilty of whatever the arresting officer said and charge you a hefty fine plus court costs.
SO I get pulled over, of course near Albuquerque and the Highway Patrol who stopped me said he was writing me a ticket for speeding. Never let me see the radar gun, or the inspection sticker for it. Told me he'd take me in if I argued. Well, the guy was too dumb to ask if the Drivers License I gave him was valid or not, he copies it onto the ticket and sends me on my way. Gives me a written citation for $300.
I never paid it. That was some 2 years ago.
A year or so later, I checked with the Texas Dept of Public safety, told them the story, wanted to know if New Mexico sent out any warrants for me. They laughed and said "NO but we get calls like yours all the time. Don;t even worry about it" SO just for fun, I call long distance to the New Mexico department, they look it up and say "Oh yeah we sent out a warrant for you but we never heard back, did you move or something?" I just laughed and said a few obscenities and hung up.
Doubt after 23 years they can do anything about it, but i New Mexico , one never knows.
I have no plans to go or pass through there again.
My friend in West Texas who is a cop says that they frequently still harass people in Texas who come across from New Mexico, so possibly things have not changed. This in retaliation to what they see as unfair legal practices in New Mexico.
That's why I don't do road trip anymore. There are just too many speeding traps.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
