Georgia drivers (Atlanta: taxis, live, cost of)

[praguer56]

I lived in Europe for the last 17 years but recently moved back to the US and settled in Atlanta. I'm amazed at the stupidity of the drivers here (and everywhere in the US). It can be POURING RAIN and 80% of the drivers are running without their lights on. And what's more amazing is that it's THE LAW here to turn your lights on when raining.

They don't know how to use their turn signals. They LOVE their fog lights and have no clue what they're designed for. Then there are the yuppies in their Mercedes and BMWs running their rear fog lights not even knowing (1) that they're there or (2) what they're there for.

Learn about your vehicle please. Fog lights are for FOG and are offensive when burning on a clear night. Toyota trucks are the worse. They're not aimed properly and shine right in driver's eyes.

HEADLIGHTS ON WHEN RAINING!! (I wish I could say this in Spanish!)

Use your turn signal. Use them when turning; use them when merging; use them when changing lanes.

Personally, I think getting a driver's license should be more privilege than right. In Europe you pay dearly for the privilege - in Germany close to $1,000 when you combine mandatory driver's education classes. Here in the US, your mom or dad can teach you. How good is that - learning all their bad habits??

Ok, my rant is over. I hope that at least one person sees this and understands.

[kayfouroh]

Welcome to GA.

//www.city-data.com/forum/georg...ransplant.html

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by praguer56

I lived in Europe for the last 17 years but recently moved back to the US and settled in Atlanta. I'm amazed at the stupidity of the drivers here (and everywhere in the US). It can be POURING RAIN and 80% of the drivers are running without their lights on. And what's more amazing is that it's THE LAW here to turn your lights on when raining.

They don't know how to use their turn signals. They LOVE their fog lights and have no clue what they're designed for. Then there are the yuppies in their Mercedes and BMWs running their rear fog lights not even knowing (1) that they're there or (2) what they're there for.

Learn about your vehicle please. Fog lights are for FOG and are offensive when burning on a clear night. Toyota trucks are the worse. They're not aimed properly and shine right in driver's eyes.

HEADLIGHTS ON WHEN RAINING!! (I wish I could say this in Spanish!)

Use your turn signal. Use them when turning; use them when merging; use them when changing lanes.

Personally, I think getting a driver's license should be more privilege than right. In Europe you pay dearly for the privilege - in Germany close to $1,000 when you combine mandatory driver's education classes. Here in the US, your mom or dad can teach you. How good is that - learning all their bad habits??

Ok, my rant is over. I hope that at least one person sees this and understands.

Bravo! Couldn't have said it better myself! 100% agree with all of this.

I think the majority of Americans need to study European drivers and truly understand the horrible mistakes we're making!

[Brian_M]

Originally Posted by praguer56

Personally, I think getting a driver's license should be more privilege than right. In Europe you pay dearly for the privilege - in Germany close to $1,000 when you combine mandatory driver's education classes. Here in the US, your mom or dad can teach you. How good is that - learning all their bad habits??

And you've nailed the main reason with this. America is the land of entitlement, driving is only one small (but highly visible) part of it. Welcome and enjoy...

[Iconographer]

Yes, and all of these problems magically disappear when you cross the state line into SC,NC,TN,AL and FL. It's an absolute phenomenon.

[Brian_M]

Who said it was ONLY GA drivers? No one as far as I can read. Stop inferring things that aren't there, you'll get yourself into trouble with those kinds of assumptions.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

Bravo! Couldn't have said it better myself! 100% agree with all of this.

I think the majority of Americans need to study European drivers and truly understand the horrible mistakes we're making!

But, many of them thar Uro-peeans drive on da wrong side of da road!!!!!

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

But, many of them thar Uro-peeans drive on da wrong side of da road!!!!!

and so do the Japanese. What's that got to do with the cost of tea in China?

[DJDeadParrot]

Originally Posted by praguer56

Learn about your vehicle please. Fog lights are for FOG and are offensive when burning on a clear night. Toyota trucks are the worse. They're not aimed properly and shine right in driver's eyes.

The one nit I'll pick with the original post is the bit about fog lights. I used to think the same way until I moved to the sticks and owned a car that came with fog lights. They really do help illuminate not just what is right in front of the car on the ground, but what is lurking at the edge of the road; possum, deer, tire treads, motorists that ran out of gas, etc. Now, its a must-have option when I have to car shop.

I kind of get why its a grievance to some, but I recommend trying them out, especially if you drive a small or mid-size car.

[cwkimbro]

We need to stop talk about Europe like it is one big homogenous culture.

Drivers in northern Europe are radically different than drivers in southern Europe.

Some of the scariest rides of my life were in taxis in Greece and Italy.