Originally Posted by alanh

A strange rule in New Zealand is the "give way" rule for turns.

Two cars are approaching a side street from opposite directions. The car turning left must give way to the car turning right.

To cast it in driving on the right terms:
Two cars are approaching a side street from opposite directions. The car turning right must yield to the car turning left.

I think the idea was to make right turns (across traffic) easier. The main problem is that Kiwis don't use their turn signals any more than anyone else. Yielding to someone who's turning in front of you is a problem if you don't know they're turning.

Originally Posted by BamaVol

I have lived in 9 states, driven in dozens more, as well as several other countries. Only in Alabama have I observed these 2 customs.

1. Turn signals for the car ahead of you. When a local driver activates his turn signal, he is likely to be copied by the driver behind him. I believe that the intention is to warn other drivers that this would not be a good time to pass. For a left turn, that makes sense, although it aggravates me that others automatically assume I'm not paying attention or am too impatient to tolerate the least delay or slowdown. Makes no sense for right turns (a less common practice) and potentially leads to other accidents because the signal is false.

2. Stopping for funeral processions. Put a line of cars on the opposite side of the road, with headlights burning during daytime hours, and the typical Alabama driver will pull off the road. I understand not cutting into one. I understand keeping intersections clear. I don't get pulling over. I've even observed it on multi-lane limited access highways. I thought I had witnessed a false procession pullover this past Sunday as I was in a long line of cars in a driving rainstorm. Turns out there was a tornado overhead and behind me that was causing drivers on the opposite side to stop. :D

These are my observations. Any from elsewhere?

Originally Posted by BamaVol

I think I recall reading them described as "amber" in a state-issued driver license book.

Originally Posted by Bigez747

But New Yorkers are the absolute worst drivers :mad:

Originally Posted by cpx

New Jersey jug handles are one of a kind. you go right before the intersection
and wait at the traffic light to make your left. You cannot make a simple left.
(its an official term, not just a local custom)
I've rarely seen these anywhere else on the planet.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

Sounds just like the Melbourne hook turn (but with right and left switched of course).

Originally Posted by Dromomaniac

In many places - Phoenix area comes to mind - Green means go, Yellow means speed up, and Red means next 2 cars can go. In other places, Yellow means slam on your brakes. (This just comes to mind, but I wonder if there's a difference in traffic codes regarding it being legal to enter the intersection on a yellow light, and being legal to be in an intersection when the light turns red. Anyone?)

Originally Posted by cpx

New Jersey jug handles are one of a kind. you go right before the intersection
and wait at the traffic light to make your left. You cannot make a simple left.
(its an official term, not just a local custom)
I've rarely seen these anywhere else on the planet.

Originally Posted by Palal

The law says that you have to clear the intersection before the light turns red and if you're in the intersection when the light turns red, you must clear it as soon as possible.

Originally Posted by g_leyser

Interesting thread.

I've driven in many countries all over the world including quite a few in Latin America. I am used to and expect to encounter potholes, various animals on the road, cars with poor emissions, poor (or no) lights, and overloaded trucks. But having just returned from Peru, I can say that we have a new winner for "craziest place to drive." Driving in Peru made driving in Thailand look like a leisurely cruise through the countryside.
Man, they are agressive in Peru! Driving from Lima to Huaraz - about 6 hours, we almost got hit head-on TWICE! People just cut the blind corners on the mountain roads without thinking that perhaps another car may be coming the other way. In the cities, lanes mean nothing, the air quality is awful because all the cars are belching unregulated emissions and traffic lights and stop signs are merely suggestions. Constant horn honking completes the picture.
We also got one flat tire, and had to bribe a cop in Lima. Next time, I think we'll hire a driver.

Originally Posted by Tsukiji

Priority to the right in Belgium. I will never understand why traffic comes to a halt in a major traffic circle to allow cars to enter from the right without stopping.

Originally Posted by schwarm

Actually, in LA, the strangest custom is for people to buy sportscars in the $150,000 - $350,000 range, with max speeds of 150 mph or much greater, and then to never drive them faster than 30 mph, stopping every 30 seconds, because of the heavy traffic and ubiquitous stoplights.