california dreaming part 2 The motor car

The motor car has a huge influence on life here in Southerln California.From my observation if you walk sidewalks (pavements) and unless you are under 20 or are destitute you are considered a bit of an oddity. I guess this is a little harsh but there is a measure of truth encapsulated in it. If you watch US tv, with its copious ad breaks, in each one you can virtually assured to see a motor related advert. There is still a tendancy to have huge cars for personal use, and I still do not understand the attraction of having a truck as your main vehicle.There is starting to be a consideration about fuel efficiency (Callifornia is one of the better States in relationto this) but big is still beautiful here. Fuel costs have risen by about 60% in the years since we have been coming here, they are now about $4.40 a gallon, but bear in mind the US gallon is smaller than the UK gallon. The roads around the outermost parts of conubation of LA, which is what Riverside is, can be divided into two types. To get between the various towns one uses the Interstates and Freeways ( like the UK motorways). They are in general poorly maintained(they do not like spending money on them here)and can be up to 5 lanes in each direction. From the driving point of view there are no rules as to when and where you can overtake. Around the rushour they frequently grind to a halt and are a major cause of the smog. Local roads are mainly used for short journeys into and around the nearby stores and amenities . They too could be very wide, three /four wide lanes each way. At some junctions I. could feel a little agrophobic! There are virtually no roundabouts but a large number of crossroads. Here the rule is all vehicles have to stop, and then each vehicle takes it in turn to go. Pedestrians, though rare, are also awarded the utmost courtesy and drivers always stop for you to cross those roads without the automated pelican type signaled pedestrian crossings. On the sigmal controlled crossings, pedestrians seem to obey the red hand not to cross. This could be because the roads are too wide to cross without help! The other different rule for us Europeans is that you can turn right on a red light if no traffic is coming. On the face of it it seems a recipe for disaster, but it is not. Drivers seem to obey the rules and are considerate. I am impressed by their courtesy and general obeying of the rules of