Is it really just me? or do most americans not know how to drive?

Question

why is it that people on a highway that is 65mph go about 50 when other cars are trying to get off of a ramp and there is no car in the other lane and they do not get over? and also why do they slam on brakes when there is no change in the road to get on another exit??? this drives me crazy!!! is it just me?

Answer 1

Here is the reason you are seeing so many Americans with bad driving skills.

Most Americans are on drugs as they are driving. It's not always an illegal drug but if you think about it, it will make sense. Most Americans are on Prozac, Lithium, Vicadin, drunk, weed, cocaine, meth, let's not get into all of the high caffien energy drinks and loads of coffee we drink to stay awake while driving to our third job.

This is why you are seeing, all of the erratic drivers and the extra slow drivers who can't make decisions quickly or change a lane properly or make a left turn in under 10 seconds.

Let's not even add in all of the IPODS and cell phones etc, we've added to the dashboard to only complicate the already cracked out driver.

Answer 2

Huh i think its quite the opposite - obesity, too many cars, not enough walking....

Answer 3

It's a joke. Anyone can get a license. If there was some serious training the roads would be a lot safer.

Answer 4

two main reason for the difference in my opinion:

I agree with the answer above that it is much easier to get the license in the US than in Europe.  In some places, you can take the driving portion of the test in a parking lot.

Second reason, I think, is that in the US our drivers are accustomed to space.  In Europe, your cities, streets, and lanes were built before cars were invented.  Most of your cars are reasonably sized and you are used to driving/parking a millimeter away from each other.  Europeans are totally comfortable with almost "attaching" themselves to the bumper of the car in front before overtaking.

US drivers are used to having distance between them and other cars.  That translates to the motorways as well.  They do things like slamming on brakes  when the car in front slows to exit.   We equate space with safety and believe it gives us more reaction time.

I know it's frustrating.  

Answer 5

It's not just you.  American society is becoming more and more rude and selfish generally, and it shows up in everything from customer service to road rage to kids cheating in school and thinking it's okay beause "everyone does it."  We didn't have things like road rage when I was a kid.  We didn't talk back to teachers, cops, judges, etc., we said "please" and "thank you," and we were taught to consider the consequences of our actions.  All you can do on the road is try to keep more distance between you and the bad drivers because you never know what they're going to do next.

Answer 6

It's not just you. Hardly any American drivers practice good driving etiquette. It's embarrassing. What infuriates me more than anything is the fool who is in the left lane on a 3 or 4 lane highway plodding alot at 60 MPH, when the prevailing traffic is going 75-80 MPH.  The police should be more concerned with the idiots that are basically rolling roadblocks who don't/won't yield to faster traffic, than they are with people who maybe going 85 MPH but know proper lane usage.

Answer 7

society thinks im a bad driver since i was drinking and driving but i betcha even drunk i can still drive better than most of the people in the country. they said i culdnt stay in the lane but who can stay in the middle of the lane the whole time their driving?

Answer 8

you are right - most know how to steer and some time by luck hit the right pedal on the floor but unlike there europeans counterparts do not know how to drive -- i would love to see them try to park in any of the overseas cities!!

Answer 9

Come to St Louis and see how they drive. You will lose your mind.

Answer 10

Having spent a lot of time in Europe where you get pushed off the highway if you don't go at least 80, I totally agree, Americans are notorious for stepping on the brakes for absolutely nothing! I live in the northeast where traffic can be very hectic and it's absolutely maddening - though nothing I can do about other than complain to my passenger... :)

Answer 11

no its not just you....ive noticed it too...a lot of people are stupid when it comes to driving...not using turn signals...driving too slow...on the phone...i give them the horn....it you dont know what youre doing get off the d**n road...thats how I see it...

Answer 12

I love that show Amazing Race when the poor Americans have to drive stick, or as we call it, manual transmission cars.

Some are totally clueless about how to drive them.

I know you drive predominantly automatic transmission cars, but it's still funny