So I've been asking a lot of questions about driving recently, and the main reason is that when I'm driving is the only time my mind is uncluttered enough to consider BBA questions.
In various areas of the country (and world), there are sometimes uncommon laws or interpretations of the laws. Sometimes these are as simple as having different terms related to driving. Other times they are maneuvers or habits that would be considered odd, in poor style, or ridiculous in other places.
One very basic example is that in Ohio, they have a thing they call a berm. I think it's basically a shoulder area of the road. Here in Maryland, no one has even heard of a berm.
In many areas of Pennsylvania, turns from the shoulder (going around traffic stopped at a light) are illegal, largely because the shoulder is often used by Amish horse and buggy vehicles.
A more significant example is the act of passing a left-turning vehicle on the shoulder, which seems to be somewhat localized. Here in Maryland, on a road that has one lane going in each direction and no center turn lane, it is common practice to go around a vehicle that is stopped in the lane, waiting to make a left. We just keep going full speed onto the shoulder or (sometimes, some drivers) partly onto the grass to go around this vehicle. When my cousins came here from California about 10 years ago (yea I know, it's old info so may be wrong now), they were shocked by this practice, yet basically everyone here does it. We also go around traffic that is stopped at a light onto the shoulder to make a right on red. I don't know if these things are currently common in other areas.
One thing that seems to be a dilemma everywhere I go is related to two vehicles simultaneously making left turns across the same intersection, and applies especially to roadways with a center median. In your area, is it more common to pass each other going straight ahead and then make the turn, or cut the turn more sharply and pass each other on the opposite side as the technique as above, while traveling diagonally across the intersection? If there are dedicated turn lanes with green arros traffic signals, passing diagonally is the only way to do it. But in less busy intersections where there isn't a turn lane or indicator, how is it normally done in your area? At less-busy intersections, it makes more sense to pass the other driver first and then turn. But in a more busy intersection, this technique could theoretically result in a gridlock. Passing the other driver first means that you don't have to try to peek around them to find out if it's safe to proceed (no oncoming vehicles), and gives you much more room to navigate the intersection. Here in MD, most people pass diagonally, with the occasional driver trying to pass then turn, which confuses everyone in the intersection, even though it really shouldn't. I don't know if we have laws about the correct way to make this maneuver, but I assume we do... I just don't know what they are. Everyone has to take drivers' ed classes to get a license here, but they really aren't useful or helpful because they cover mostly common-knowledge and common-sense basics.
In some states, they have minimum and maximum speeds on highways. Some states have separate speed limits for trucks and cars on one highway. Some states require trucks to use specific lanes on highways.
What's unique about how people drive in your area? If you have something you think might be unique, please post it even if you're not sure, and we can all discuss how that scenario works in our locality.
Looking forward to some interesting conversation on this one!!
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