Things I like about America

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Overtaking either side on multi lane roads - there's a third of the M25 unused because of mindless middle lane hoggers.[/quote]

Actually that is not allowed, any more than it is in UK.

To my mind it is one of the worst features of driving in the USA.

If you are in a queue of vehicles in the outside lane waiting to overtake slower vehicles, unless you tailgate the guy in front and sit a car length from his rear bumper(fender) you will be undertaken and cut up.

[steph_goodrum]

The numbering of the Interstates junctions with numbers that correspond to the approx mileage from the start of the Interstates.

For example if you join the I4 at junction 58 and want to go to junction 84 you know your trip is around 26 miles and know approx when to start looking for your exit rather than just have consecutive numbers as we do in the Uk. Makes the trip a little more relaxed.

[Tonish]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Robert5988




United Kingdom
1693 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline
Posted - 29 Jun 2009 : 08:06:13
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quote:
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Overtaking either side on multi lane roads - there's a third of the M25 unused because of mindless middle lane hoggers.
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Actually that is not allowed, any more than it is in UK.

To my mind it is one of the worst features of driving in the USA.

If you are in a queue of vehicles in the outside lane waiting to overtake slower vehicles, unless you tailgate the guy in front and sit a car length from his rear bumper(fender) you will be undertaken and cut up.

[/quote]


You sure, Robert? I've been driving there for years under the impression I could overtake any side.

[Mo Green]

12. The politeness of most people and respect shown to older people by teenagers

13. Lack of swearing amongst younger people - can't even walk down our local High Street in the UK on a Saturday without hearing the 'F' word

Mo

[florida4sun]

No this is not allowed to deliberately undertake. I always thought it was until I got a ticket!
The only time it is allowed is if he other lane is naturally moving slower than yours and you have no choice.
Turning right on red, only do this if you have a clear right of way and only if there is is sign at the lights saying yo can do so. It is not in effect at every set of lights.


<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Tonish
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Robert5988




United Kingdom
1693 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline
Posted - 29 Jun 2009 : 08:06:13
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quote:
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Overtaking either side on multi lane roads - there's a third of the M25 unused because of mindless middle lane hoggers.
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Actually that is not allowed, any more than it is in UK.

To my mind it is one of the worst features of driving in the USA.

If you are in a queue of vehicles in the outside lane waiting to overtake slower vehicles, unless you tailgate the guy in front and sit a car length from his rear bumper(fender) you will be undertaken and cut up.

[/quote]


You sure, Robert? I've been driving there for years under the impression I could overtake any side.
[/quote]

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun

The only time it is allowed is if he other lane is naturally moving slower than yours and you have no choice.
Turning right on red, only do this if you have a clear right of way and only if there is is sign at the lights saying yo can do so. It is not in effect at every set of lights

[/quote]

Am I right in thinking that you have to actually come to a halt before you can turn right on a red signal?

[steph_goodrum]

I think Matin, isn't it the opposite of what you have said in that you can turn right on red unless there is a sign saying you can't?

[crews]

florida4sun, Did you get your ticket on a multi-lane freeway? - If so that's very odd?

To avoid confusion I've quoted Florida Statute 316.084 - 2008 - In particular part (c). Which explains the overtaking on the right rule. I've also copied 316.075 which explains the right turn on red and surprise surprise... there are times when you can turn left on red as well !!!

In short - you can do it unless there's a sign to say you can't...

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:316.084 When overtaking on the right is permitted.--

(1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:

(a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;

(b) Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving traffic in each direction;

(c) Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.

(2) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway.

(3) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.[/quote]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:316.075 Traffic control signal devices.--
...

(c) Steady red indication.--

1. Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown; however:

a. The driver of a vehicle which is stopped at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection in obedience to a steady red signal may make a right turn, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection, except that municipal and county authorities may prohibit any such right turn against a steady red signal at any intersection, which prohibition shall be effective when a sign giving notice thereof is erected in a location visible to traffic approaching the intersection.

b. The driver of a vehicle on a one-way street that intersects another one-way street on which traffic moves to the left shall stop in obedience to a steady red signal, but may then make a left turn into the one-way street, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection, except that municipal and county authorities may prohibit any such left turn as described, which prohibition shall be effective when a sign giving notice thereof is attached to the traffic control signal device at the intersection.
[/quote]

[Katys Grandad]

So you do have to stop before you can turn right. I must admit I can't make much sense of the overtaking rules but that's probably me.

[crews]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Overtaking either side on multi lane roads - there's a third of the M25 unused because of mindless middle lane hoggers.[/quote]Actually that is not allowed, any more than it is in UK.

To my mind it is one of the worst features of driving in the USA.

If you are in a queue of vehicles in the outside lane waiting to overtake slower vehicles, unless you tailgate the guy in front and sit a car length from his rear bumper(fender) you will be undertaken and cut up.[/quote]Robert5988, Looks to me from the law above that it is allowed... it's certainly generally accepted on the freeways and coincides with the official driving advice given to visitors? If the law was applied in the UK then you wouldn't have to sit "in a queue of vehicles in the outside lane waiting to overtake slower vehicles". The idea that you're tailgating the people in front because your so concerned about being undertaken is the scary bit for me!

I was in Canada the week they changed the law from our system (1/3rd of all motorways unused while everyone queues in the outside) to the USA system - and all the queue's disappeared overnight. People became a little more considerate, relaxed and aware of both sides of their vehicle as well....<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
So you do have to stop before you can turn right. I must admit I can't make much sense of the overtaking rules but that's probably me.[/quote]OMG - Yes. they'll throw the book at you if you don't !!!!