Things I have learned while driving in Virginia for a year.

"Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street." (demon-xanth)
08/19/2015 at 17:15 • Filed to: None

Parallel parking distance: 5 feet

Following distance at 70MPH: see parallel parking distance

Speed limits on back roads are all 10MPH lower than if they were in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Traffic engineers seem to intentionally funnel everyone through choke points and actively block off any side routes.

Everyone shuffles around.

A 1995 Mustang is a classic.

Environmentalists actively are against making traffic better because if driving sucked less people might drive more. As if idling for an hour at lights doesn’t pollute.

The used truck market that I was used to does not seem to exist. I miss driving a truck.

Registration costs way less. YAY!

Personal property tax isn’t included in registration. Ohhhhh... that’s why.

1% of drivers have no clue how to stay in a lane. Anywhere. I’ve almost been clipped from behind by a van driving 75% in the #2 lane, 25% in the #3 lane as he passed me.

Driving in snow is like a mix between sand and mud. I don’t mind it actually. Everyone seems to shut down though.

My car’s traction control button seems flakey at best. It won’t let me hoon when the times arise.

93 octane! YAY!

I moved from one end of US50 to the other. Distances to Richmond, Roseville, and Buena Vista are largely unchanged.

Modified Camaros? None. Modified Mustangs? All of them.

DISCUSSION (11)

Justin Hughes > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
08/19/2015 at 17:23

The real question is how many times have you gone to jail for speeding?

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
08/19/2015 at 17:28

I read “backroads” and was confused until I read “end of US 50.” At least you have that; horrifying as motoring annoyances are, problems definitely compound in Northern VA. This is very accurate, though.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Justin Hughes
08/19/2015 at 17:28

Zero, but I pass by the hotel for Jalopnik editors on my way to work.

TA4K > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
08/19/2015 at 17:34

Is 93 octane premium there? Here we get 91 octane regular, 95 as a semi premium and 98 (which most places guarantee at 97.5) as premium with a few places near the racetracks doing an e10, e85 and 105 octane racegas. On pump.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
08/19/2015 at 17:36

As an 11 year VA driver, can confirm these are true. Nobody knows how to stay in their lane. Be it trying to get into “the faster lane” which will become “the slower lane” or just drifting about. The best is when you wait for them to cross into your lane, you lay on the horn, they panic and throw themselves into the opposite lane. Idiots.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > TA4K
08/19/2015 at 17:39

RON vs MON vs (R+M)/2 ratings make a huge difference. It’s like comparing gross HP to net HP to wheel HP.

TA4K > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
08/19/2015 at 19:08

I didn’t know there was a different rating from the US to other parts, that makes sense now. Why the difference?

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > TA4K
08/19/2015 at 19:15

There is the research method, which takes a fuel and tests it in various lab ways. The motor method, which tests it on a specially made engine. The US takes an average of the two methods. So you can have a fuel that is 100 RON and 82 MON and sell it in California as 91 premium unleaded. I believe Europe uses the RON rating only.

jkm7680 > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
08/19/2015 at 19:38

In response, I’ll help you fit in to driving in the area better.

1. The paralell parking distance of five feet also includes bump parking. Even if you can fit in the space, bash up the cars to the front and rear of you anyways.

2. Brights on please, aim to be texting and sipping Starbucks while doing so.

3. I don’t see that as much to be honest, they’re usually around ehhhh 35 ish.

4. Yes they do, u wot m8.

And the one about staying in lanes, the Virginia lane isn’t one lane, but two lanes. You drive between 2 lanes. That’s how we do beeeeotchhhhhhhhhh.

AM3R shamefully returns > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
08/19/2015 at 21:08

Yeah we have tons of mustangs.. I'm in the fairfax area myself and see about 2500 modified mustangs on my commute.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
08/19/2015 at 23:59

business trip to the south, co-worker “oh a spot up front”. parallel parks in and she goes in to get coffee. @ 5 mins later this woman walks out, looks at her car, our rental with this completely perplexed look on her face. I’m convinced my co-worker parked between 2 “normally” parked cars.