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From: chu@lasspvax.UUCP (Clare Chu)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Northern California driving
Message-ID: <253@lasspvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 20-Mar-85 17:07:18 EST
Article-I.D.: lasspvax.253
Posted: Wed Mar 20 17:07:18 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 22-Mar-85 01:20:56 EST
References: <>
Reply-To: chu@lasspvax.UUCP (Clare Chu)
Distribution: net
Organization: LASSP, Cornell University
Lines: 32
Summary: 

In article <> sth@rayssd.UUCP writes:
>Being as I am going to be in the northern part of the Golden State in June,
>I was curious about driving conditions there.  I hear of strange rules,
>strange drivers, and police who really think traffic laws are to be enforced.
>Having cut my driving teeth on the mean streets of New York and Boston, all
>I ask for is consistency.  Are there any Easterners like me who have made
>the transition successfully?  Many thanx in advance.
>
>Steve Hirsch,		{allegra, decvax!brunix, linus, ccieng5}!rayssd!sth
>Raytheon Co,		 Submarine Signal Div., Portsmouth, RI


  I'm from Southern California, but I imagine the driving trends are
  similar.  Californians are more relaxed about their driving.  There
  is no need to cut sharply in front of people because the streets are
  nice and wide and the freeway signs give ample warning to off-ramps
  and exits.  Also the flow of traffic is important to be maintained as
  much as possible, and a little courtesy goes a long way.  When we have
  merging situations, it is generally understood as every-other car from
  each lane.  No fair cutting in front when it's not your turn.
 
  One more hint:  Pedestrians really do get the right of way at cross-
  walks and many will assume that you will stop for them.  They just
  step out into a crosswalk without looking.  (like I have done a few
  times in New York with almost disastrous consequences).  A cop will
  ticket you very fast if you zoom across a crosswalk with pedestrians
  in it, especially if its a four-year old kid and a little old lady.

  Just remember to STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS and cruise along with the flow.
  You'll be all right, at least for L.A. 

                                            Clare