After summing up the bank account between the move and Christmas, it was pretty clear I was to stay home last weekend. No exploring here. I changed the oil in the bike and ended up getting sucked into a Breaking Bad marathon, and just relaxed. It was fairly awesome. Overall, not a bad holiday weekend as holiday weekends go.
I thought I’d make a blog post, either way.
I keep thinking about the differences between Utah and Arizona, and maybe a few other states I’ve been to. Since I’m a road hound, the biggest comparison is how people drive in different states. I figgered I’d throw em out on the blog, for your perusal and insightful comments.
Some random thoughts:
- The first thing I noticed here is that Arizona drivers are WAY nicer than Utah drivers. There’s just no comparison. I was almost shocked when I would signal, and people would back off and let me over. Coming from Utah, this is a revolutionary thing, at least to me. Here, its just being polite. I figured it out after a couple of days; its made me a better driver. After all, we’re all in this thing together.
- Arizona Drivers get up to speed before they take over a lane, or wait for a big gap in traffic to merge. Again, not the Utah way. Its fucking beautiful. You may have no idea how much this effects your commute and traffic flow.
- In my one month here, I’ve yet to see a guy in a jacked up F-250 truck with a pair of aluminum gonads hanging from his trailer hitch that darted in and out of traffic looking for that one single edge that was going to get him to his destination 4 minutes early (Ok, i’ve seen one… but I gotta think he was legitimately late for something). I could ramble on, but I’d challenge anyone to say that Utah drivers are more polite than Arizona Drivers.
- Texas has the most polite drivers of any state I’ve been in. In Texas, if someone is passing faster than you, that driver will get over for you. It’s southern hospitality, or the way you were raised or something, I swear. Maybe Texas is so big, no one is in a hurry and just enjoys the moment. Either way, Texas has the best drivers in the union.
- The states with the 2 highest speed limits in the US are Texas and Utah. One just drives more politely so traffic runs much more smoothly. Utah could learn a thing from Texas and Arizona.
- New Mexico and Kansas have the worst speed limits on the planet. New mexico I swear has 15 signs for a curve that drops you 5 MPH in speed. Kansas is like central Utah, only with no mountains . Thank God they have twisters, because that at least makes things interesting.
- I avoid southern California as much as I can, so I dare should say if I like their drivers and speed limits. I suppose they’re good drivers, but they’re high on weed/art/Nancy Pelosi… something…
Where you live — How do they drive? I’d seriously love to know.
Happy New years! I’m not doing anything major this weekend. Hanging out with the family, and getting ready for 2017. I can’t wait. It’s gonna be a fucking epic year methinks.
I frequently drive in NYC and Long Island. I find if you signal your intent, NY drivers are very accommodating to turns and lane changes. If you don't signal, don't expect courtesy. Yesterday I drove from Daytona Beach, FL to Woodstock, NY(1268 miles). I always leave I95 in Fredericksburg, VA and go to I81 North to avoid DC, Phila and NYC. All was fine until I got to PA on I81. Despite several huge electronic signs informing drivers it is against PA motor vehicle law to drive in the left lane unless passing I encountered several drivers who failed remedial reading and forced drivers to pass on the right. The drivers who chose to ignore the signs were from PA, NC, NY, and MA so it doesn't appear to be a regional problem but a national one. There is no other driving situation the pisses me off more than being stuck in a passing lane in a line of 25 bobbing and weaving vehicles while some oblivious jerk is conversing on a cell phone.