Vault toilets, the US term for a long drop, are available at almost every viewpoint, and certainly in all the camp grounds, even most of the informal free campsites. They are remarkably clean, always supplied with toilet paper, and of a warm yet airy design which keeps them pretty well odor free.
Overtaking- something American drivers don't seem very good at. Often we slow down and pull to the left to let them past, especially the tail draggers. They slow down too, we slow down more, so do they. Eventually they get the message, but often overtake with only a small marginal speed difference.
Stop Signs:- So many 4 way stop signs. The signs and the lines where you are supposed to stop are generally so far back from the intersection that you can't tell if anything is coming. So you roll forward 'til you can see.
Road works:- Often we see the dreaded road works sign that says "Expect delays up to 30 minutes." I've never encountered anything like this in NZ. Here they block off around 5 miles of road while working on around 500 metres somewhere in the middle. Then there is a pilot vehicle to follow. This means that each queue of cars has to wait while the other queue traverses the whole 5 miles.
I have read that Americans don't bother to benchmark themselves against global best practices, they assume their way must be the best.
Speed signs:- Most countries around the world have adopted the international standard for speed signs. A white circular sign with a bright red border, and the speed in black letters on the white background. It's clear, it's obvious, and, most of all, it's a standard. But not here in the USA. Nope. Here the signs are square, white, with black letters. In addition there is usually extra information on the sign. Sometimes an arrow pointing upwards, which means the speed limit indicated will come into effect somewhere further down the road. Sometimes with the word school above it, indicating it only relates to school hours. Sometimes the word "End Of" appear above the numbers, which can leave one in some doubt about what the speed limit is now. What's more it is very often the case that entering a new speed zone, such as when entering a highway, one is left wondering what the highway speed limit is, 50, 55, 60, 70, or 75. Eventually one sees another sign, and ambiguity is eliminated.
Littering:- Highways in America are largely litter free. Most carry signs setting out the penalties for littering. Ones I have seen range from $300 to $2000. This, one would think, would give pause to all but the most hardened litterati. There may be another reason the roads are litter free. Every couple of miles there is an "Adopt a highway" sign beside the road, carrying the name of some person, family, group, or organization, that has taken responsibility for keeping that stretch of highway clean. Whether they go round regularly with a fork and bag and clean it up, or hide in the sagebrush waiting to spot a litterer so they can dob him in is not clear.
In any case, in most states the "Adopt ...." signs are white on a blue background. Unfortunately for the touring motorcyclist, so are most of the signs that actually carry useful information. This makes these signs about as welcome as ads every four minutes during 'The Green Mile' on television!
No Overtaking (Passing) zones:- These are signaled, as in most countries, by continuous yellow lines on your side of the centre line. In New Mexico they are augmented by two further signs. A triangular yellow sign on the opposite side of the road, with one apex horizontal towards your side of the road, marked "No Passing Zone". The other, a sign in the same format as the speed signs, white, square, carrying, in black text, the words "Do not pass".
Not much doubt then, no passing here!
At the end of the no passing zone the continuous line ends, and a further white sign states"Pass with care". I often do.
In California non extra signage is added, just like in NZ. What does it mean?
So good to be home!
Marco
29 November 2011
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