Driving in the US
Thursday, January 26th, 2006 -- J. DoeToday I overheard someone talking on the phone complaining to someone how they stopped at a red light next to a cop and the next thing that happened was the cop pulled him over and gave him a ticket for not wearing seatbelt and something else, I’m not sure what.
Upon hearing that I thought to myself, “J.Doe, you’re not in Italy anymore!’ The cops here not only give out parking tickets but moving violations as well, which could be a good thing if you are a law abiding driver who likes safe roads, or a bad thing if you are a Nascar driver wannabe. I am the former. I like orderly roads where everyone follows the rules of the road.
In Italy they seem to like disorder. No one seems to follow any rules, except the rule of physics, i.e. if there is an empty space anywhere, fill it. It also seems that the Italian police only give out parking tickets. At least in central Italy that’s all they seem to do.
It still amazes me that cars in the US stay in their properly marked lanes, don’t pass on the right when your right turn signal is blinking, and actually park in between those lines meant to designate what is a legitimate parking lot area, and what is not.
Today I crossed the street at a little stop sign in front of a store and the cars stopped and let me cross! Amazing!
Driving is a nice, relaxing experience in the US.
Don’t forget the swarming scooters that have magical invisible powers until they’re 3 inches from you and the zebra-crossing parkers! Next, you must remind me what it’s like to go to the grocery store and not get run over by grannies wielding shopping carts. Oooh, oooh! And what it’s like to go out after dark and there’s STILL STORES OPEN (this counts for lunchtime too)!!! And [sob] big coffee …
Miss you guys …
Americans are famous for doing everything reallyreally fast, with one exception: driving.
After living here for a year, I am STILL afraid to drive! Thank God I have my bike!
Cyn
You could have just gone to Switzerland to see good drivers too.
Getting used to drivers in Canada is something else too! I get so freaked out still when people stop about 10 feet after the white line at a stop. Apparently that is perfectly normal here along with parking next to a fire hydrant and within 15 feet of the corner. It’s enough to not see the cars coming down the street. They are still like 25 years behind the times here in Canada for driving. When will they ever catch up!
The driving this is close to my heart. My hubby says I drive terribly and I say that same thing about his driving. He is the NAscar wanna be and I am the orderly driver. I usually end up in the passengers seat when he is around.
Every time I’m back in the States, have to remind myself that I am not in Italy anymore. When I first started driving in Italy (six months after arriving), my husband thought I was too mellow of a driver. Now, after three and a half years, he likes it when I drive, “You’re so relaxed”. The one thing have driven, the autostrada. I refuse.