I had always believed that Californians were poorer drivers than the rest of the country since moving here 10 years ago. However, I now have definitive proof that they are the worst. Take this sampling of data, for instance:
- States travelled through: 5 (OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA)
- Worst roads encountered: New Mexico (washboard consistency)
- Fastest speed limits: Arizona (75 MPH most freeways)
- Least traffic encountered: New Mexico (desolate in most places)
- Dead wildlife leader: Texas (nearly every 10 miles something was toast)
- Most stop and go traffic: California (starts at the border near Interstate -8)
- Most police on road: California (from mile 3 onward)
- Largest percentage of slow left lane drivers: California (if people pass you on the right its time to move over a lane)
- Greatest speed drop in short distance: California (one stretch went from 70 to 45 in less than 10 miles)
- The only site where I used brakes/downshifted on the highway: California (if traffic is moving too fast for you, or you really must see that abandoned vehicle, get in the right lane)
This is but a small sampling of the frustration happening near the end of this trip. I’m only to San Diego and I’m tired of the driving here. If I don’t find a route around LA I may have to revise this post and add all the pain of sitting in traffic for hours and hours going nowhere.