Freeways, American highways. Are highways really at some elevation? I suppose not. The word freeway is true to its meaning, no interfering traffic lights except the exit and entrance ramp.
Americans drive on the right side of the road with driver seat on the left. Hence the left most lane is for fast moving vehicles and for overtaking as well. In the state of California the left lane is known as HOV or carpool lane. HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane is meant for vehicles having two or more passengers.
The right most lane is for slow moving trucks. I recall one of our acquaintance’s comment, “Goonda Truck”, which aptly describes these gigantic container trucks. In fact all trucks are pulling containers, maybe it is easier to dump containers in warehouse and ports, rather than loading and unloading goods in the body of the truck.
The trucks have speed limit of fifty five miles per hour on freeways while cars can drive up to seventy miles per hour. All measurements are totally different. It will require a separate blog post to write about it.
At successive intervals, sign boards flash speed limit and also mention radar enforced or aircraft enforced. Sometimes I do notice helicopter hovering over freeway, may be it is measuring speed of vehicles moving down under. But it always amazes me how speed is measured of fast moving objects, at a particular instance. I have still to learn how exactly laser gun works.
Some times one does find a highway patrol cop issuing a ticket (chalaan) for over-speeding and other traffic violations. One more thing, drink and driving is called DUI, driving under the influence.
The interstate highways are well numbered. Those running north-south are odd numbers, while even number freeways run east-west. Here the things are so very straightforward. The mantra is K.I.S.S. Keep it simply stupid. The street addresses also follow some sort of same pattern. On one side of the street are even numbers while on the other side are odd number addresses. It makes sense to me and easier to find new locations, be it office, shop or house. Rest area is a good concept along the freeway, for travelers to take a break during long drives. Most of the rest areas have gas station, food joints and motels too for overnight stay. All signposts come far ahead to plan the exit. If the oncoming rest area is five miles ahead and next further away, say after forty miles. Signpost will mention both, for you to decide and take the exit accordingly.
Coined telephone boxes are found all along. So it can well be concluded freeways were built prior to the advent of cell phones. There is a fine of $1000 for littering around.
No street lighting, no lamp-post except the fluorescent reflectors all along the freeway. Driving without headlights is simply not possible during night. If there is a dark patch because of mountain range; it forewarns to turn on the headlight during the day as well.
Behind trucks you’ll find drivers wanted and also how I am driving today. It is a subtle approach for reporting bad drivers.
I got the opportunity to travel extensively in Unites States. It is fun and entertaining, but only up to three hundred miles or so. Long journeys tend to be tiring be it anywhere in the world, any mode of transport.
