09-07-2006, 12:56 PM | #1 | ||
High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Driving habits by state
Like many other americans I spent this labor day weekend on the road. This got me to thinking about the quirks that drivers from certain states have. A few caveats, these are all generalizations and not all drivers from a certain state drive like this. Also, these are my opinions, feel free to add, subtract, or change anything I have listed here. Here is my list (and yes I am a midwestern boy).
Alabama: The freeway is for driving, not parking. Arizona: the roadways are evidently a great place for elderly retirees to have strokes. At least, I assume that's why they spontaneously veer across lanes and routinely drive at least 15 MPH below the limit. California: If the choice is everyone can drive 30 MPH or everyone can drive 15 MPH but they can pass two people they will choose the latter. Did that Harley just pass me in-between lanes? Florida: Cars driving side by side 5 miles below the speed limit while blocking both lanes. Illinois: Complete and total disregard for the speed limit. Indiana: Loves to weave through traffic. Maryland: The white dashed line is a guide for the center of your car, not for lane separation. Massachusetts: Stop signs are Yield signs. Pedestrians are targets of opportunity. Probably biggest state gap between actual speed limit v. observed speed limit. Michigan: Two things here actually, one, very little use of the turn signal. Two, loves to drive in the left turn median. Minnesota: You need to learn this simple rule: on the freeway, the right lane is for driving, the left lane is for passing. New Jersey: If you waited for a left hand turn signal to turn green, it is your God given right to proceed through the intersection, regardless of when it turns back to red. New Mexico: Likes to stop at green lights, for some reason. New York: There are no traffic laws, its absolute chaos, just go fast and try and squeeze in somewhere. Honk, yell profanities, and smoking are a must as you drive. North Carolina: The automobile comes equipt with a horn for a reason. I understand that too much horn is a bad thing but no horn is wrong in the other direction. Never, ever turn the lights on when it is raining. Ohio: Like to get in the passing lane and drive 10 MPH below the speed limit. Oklahoma: Will not move over to the other lane when a car is going up the on ramp. Pennsylvania: Yellow means accelerate! Utah: Conflux of old white people cruising below the speed limit and hicks and truckers hauling ass well over it. Virginia: Also needs to learn this simple rule: on the freeway, the right lane is for driving, the left lane is for passing. Washington: The speed limit is the speed limit, at least to the Suburu Outback in the left lane. Great fear of merging. Wisconsin: Gawkers galore. Have you never seen someone changing a flat tire on the side of the road before? Last edited by dixieflatline : 09-07-2006 at 05:57 PM. |
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09-07-2006, 12:57 PM | #2 |
General Manager
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New Mexico
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New Mexico: Likes to stop at green lights, for some reason.
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09-07-2006, 01:01 PM | #3 |
Dearly Missed
(9/25/77-12/23/08) Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: DC Suburbs
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Virginia: Go slow in the far left lanes, and continue to do so even though someone is directly behind you going faster as they should be in THE FAST LANES.
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09-07-2006, 01:02 PM | #4 |
General Manager
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: The Satellite of Love
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I've only really driven in New Jersey and Philly, so I'm not sure I could point out any quirks we have compared to everyone else. However, for one directed at out of staters from a New Jerseyian perspective.
New Jersey: Before you come here, please learn how to use the damn circle correctly! |
09-07-2006, 01:04 PM | #5 |
H.S. Freshman Team
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
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Virginia: Also needs to learn this simple rule: on the freeway, the right lane is for driving, the left lane is for passing.
Pennsylvania: Yellow means accelerate! New Jersey: If you waited for a left hand turn signal to turn green, it is your God given right to proceed through the intersection, regardless of when it turns back to red. The observations about Illinois and Indiana are spot on (and interchangable IMO). I also think both states do an excellent job of using the passing lanes on the freeway only for passing. |
09-07-2006, 01:11 PM | #6 | |
Dearly Missed
(9/25/77-12/23/08) Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: DC Suburbs
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Quote:
Washington DC: See NJ. When you are in the Traffic Circle, you DO NOT YIELD AS NOTED BY THE DAMN SIGNS EVERYWHERE IN AND AROUND THE CIRCLE!
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09-07-2006, 01:14 PM | #7 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
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Washington: The speed limit is the speed limit, at least to the Suburu Outback in the left lane. Great fear of merging.
Massachusetts: Stop signs are Yield signs. Pedestrians are targets of opportunity. Probably biggest state gap between actual speed limit v. observed speed limit. California: Did that Harley just pass me in-between lanes? Utah: Conflux of old white people cruising below the speed limit and hicks and truckers hauling ass well over it. Illinois: Easiest state to possibly drive off the interstate at night straight into a cornfield at 85 MPH I've ever been to. |
09-07-2006, 01:16 PM | #8 | |
High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Quote:
I love this post. You are right about the interchangable of Illinois and Indiana but I thought back and I think I saw more speeding in Illinois and more weaving in Indiana. If there is enough ground swell I'll reverse these. I'm adding these and st.cronin's to the list. |
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09-07-2006, 01:17 PM | #9 |
Torchbearer
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: On Lake Harriet
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California: At least three cars will make a left turn after the light has turned red.
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09-07-2006, 01:18 PM | #10 | ||
Pro Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Muskogee, OK USA
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Florida: Cars driving side by side 5 miles below the speed limit while blocking both lanes.
Oklahoma: Will not move over to the other lane when a car is going up the on ramp.
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09-07-2006, 01:19 PM | #11 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Los Angeles, California
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yep, especially here in LA. Also here in LA, I love people who merge without looking into their blindspot while talking on the phone....its makes things interesting.
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09-07-2006, 01:23 PM | #12 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
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And holding a lap dog.
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09-07-2006, 01:24 PM | #13 |
Dearly Missed
(9/25/77-12/23/08) Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: DC Suburbs
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New York: There are no traffic laws, its absolute chaos, just go fast and try and squeeze in somewhere. Honk, yell profanities, and smoking are a must as you drive.
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09-07-2006, 01:24 PM | #14 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Los Angeles, California
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how could I have forgotten the lap dog?!.....
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Myspace Profile Last edited by pennywisesb : 09-07-2006 at 01:25 PM. |
09-07-2006, 01:25 PM | #15 | |
General Manager
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: The Mountains
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Quote:
This is definitely true. I still haven't figured out what it takes to get a speeding ticket in MA, but I've gone 15 mph over in the presence of cops without thinking about it. |
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09-07-2006, 01:26 PM | #16 |
Dearly Missed
(9/25/77-12/23/08) Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: DC Suburbs
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Universal: If your a teenage chick, you must talk on the cell phone and not pay attention. If you feel the need to change lanes, turn your head all the way around to look for a good 5-10 seconds and ignore what the car in front of you is doing.
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NAFL New Orleans Saints GM/Co-Commish MP Career Record: 114-85 NAFL Super Bowl XI Champs In memory of Gavin Anthony: 7/22/08-7/26/08 |
09-07-2006, 01:30 PM | #17 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Fairfax, VA
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Maryland: The white dashed line is a guide for the center of your car, not for lane separation.
Last edited by Bee : 09-07-2006 at 01:31 PM. |
09-07-2006, 01:31 PM | #18 |
Dearly Missed
(9/25/77-12/23/08) Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: DC Suburbs
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Mid Atlantic States: If you don't have EZ Pass, stay in the lanes clearly marked "EZ PASS ONLY" when going through toll booths. Then, amidst noticing this lane 2 feet before the toll, attempt to back up and sort of go parallel to the Toll booths in attempt to get to a cash lane, thereby causing more traffic.
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09-07-2006, 01:32 PM | #19 | |
High School Varsity
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Tacoma, Wa.
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Quote:
So true... I have to drive up 405 every Thursday and I always come up on someone going at least 5 mph under the speed limit, driving in the left lane. It's usually a woman in an SUV or Outback talking on her mobile phone.
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09-07-2006, 01:45 PM | #20 |
Pro Rookie
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Illinois
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Arizona: the roadways are evidently a great place for elderly retirees to have strokes. At least, I assume that's why they spontaneously veer across lanes and routinely drive at least 15 MPH below the limit.
Last edited by Fonzie : 09-07-2006 at 01:46 PM. |
09-07-2006, 02:20 PM | #21 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Nov 2003
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In Minnesota if you are over 65, you must wait at a stop sign until you a sure a car is coming, before you pull out in front of it.
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09-07-2006, 03:35 PM | #22 | |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Appleton, WI
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Quote:
This is so true. There is nothing worse than FINALLY getting through slow accident traffic and then realizing that there never was an accident to cause people to slow down. |
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09-07-2006, 05:49 PM | #23 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Ohio: Like to get in the passing lane and drive 10 MPH below the speed limit.
North Carolina: Never, ever turn the lights on when it is raining. |
09-07-2006, 08:56 PM | #24 |
College Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: The Mad City, WI
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That was REALLY weird to see on our vacation out there last year. We were in traffic, not horrible, but moving 35 or 40, heading east out of the Bay area. All these motorcycles kept buzzing by, and I'm thinking to myself, these guys are even bigger idiots than most motorcycle drivers. You have to have a serious lack of intelligence to do that without a helmet. |
09-07-2006, 09:02 PM | #25 |
General Manager
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: The Town of Flower Mound
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I had that happen to me just last night...except it was a crotch rocket, not a Harley. Still, it scared the bejesus out of me.
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09-07-2006, 09:45 PM | #26 | |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Kansas City, MO
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Quote:
Coincidentally, during that same trip I drove cross country from Kansas City to Connecticut. I didn't mind New Jersey at all, but Pennsylvania was a little nutty -- is there freakin' highway in that state that isn't a toll road? The entire state between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia was one giant toll plaza. |
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09-07-2006, 09:47 PM | #27 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Whittier
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In Los Angeles, turning signals are not features in Lexus', BMW's, and Benz's. (This holds true especially in certain ethnic area's)
Both times I was in Pennsylvania, stop signs were treated as glorified yield signs |
09-07-2006, 09:48 PM | #28 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Whittier
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Quote:
Not to mention highly illegal in California |
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09-07-2006, 09:55 PM | #29 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Back in Houston!
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Definitely agree with Illinois- those speed limit signs are for decoration but they seem to drive pretty well, on the whole- just all at 20 mph over the limit
SI
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09-07-2006, 09:59 PM | #30 | |
College Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: The Mad City, WI
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Quote:
I had a meeting on the far south side of the Chicago metroplex earlier this year. I was running a little late (good thing my rental was a Maxima), and was probably averaging 80 (in 55 zones) in free flow traffic. I was getting passed more than I passed others. |
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09-07-2006, 10:22 PM | #32 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA
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Pennsylvania (based on the PA drivers on the AC Expressway going to and from AC): The left lane is for driving 10 MPH below the speed limit, act oblivious the the line of traffic behind you.
New York: You are from New York, you can drive however you damn well want and don't need to obey traffic laws, or the laws of physics for that matter. |
09-07-2006, 11:13 PM | #33 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Maryland
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09-07-2006, 11:17 PM | #34 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Maryland
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Quote:
Never been to Ohio, but quite a few drivers with Ohio tags have ticked me off doing crap like that (like on I-95 going down to FL). Asswhites.
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