Travelling in the United States

The most popular means of transport in the United States is the car. Americans can do without many things; they may live in a sleazy apartment, never go to a dentist or eat the cheapest junk food but they cannot do without a car. They love cars more than anything in the world, especially the big and comfortable ones. A car for Americans has always been an expression of an individual's freedom and the ability to move around.

Having a car in the U.S. is not a sign of wealth but an absolute necessity. Life without a car would not be possible; Americans as a nation tend to be quite mobile. Over a five year period one family in ten moves to a new state in search for a better life. For the majority of Americans living in the suburbs, an automobile is indispensable to commute to work in the city. Some of them cover a distance of a hundred or even more kilometres a day, and they do not find it a big problem.

The mass ownership of cars resulting in heavy traffic has been the factor determining the fast development of the federal interstate highways, state 'super highways' and city expressways. The highways and roads connect virtually every city and town in the United States. To serve Americans 'on the move¹, there is a multitude of service areas beside the roads, including motels, drive-in movies, take-away restaurants and other facilities.

It is often said that Americans love speed. Indeed, the most common offence is exceeding the speed limit. However, drivers in America are more careful than those in Europe and the death rate in the U.S. is the lowest in the world.

America is predominant not only in mass car ownership but also mass air travel. Apart from cars, aeroplanes are the most popular means of transport. In fact, they have almost completely eliminated trains in the United States. Americans travel a lot on business, to visit family, or to reach some holiday destination. Planes are the fastest and the most comfortable form of travelling. A trip by car from coast to coast takes five to six days while a plane covers the distance in a few hours.

Travelling by plane is rather expensive, so many Americans take buses to travel anywhere. Buses are the cheapest means of public transport and very convenient, too. Many long-distance coaches are equipped with a toilet and a self-service bar. The most popular line in the U.S. is Greyhound. Greyhound buses reach almost every part of America and, what is more, open up the possibility of touring that vast country.

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Driving in Britain

One of the most enjoyable ways of seeing Britain is by driving. The country has extensive network of modern motorways and A roads linking all its main cities. When visiting Britain, the motorist from abroad should remember a number of differences in using the roads. In contrast to other countries, cars in Britain travel on the left hand side of the road and overtake on the right, which may cause some problems, especially if the traveller's car has right hand drive. It should also be remembered that priority must always be given to cars coming from the right, particularly at roundabouts.

In spite of dense traffic on almost all British roads, the country has one of the lowest number of road deaths in Europe. There are a few reasons for this. First, British drivers are known for their courtesy and consideration. Second, both drivers and front-seat passengers are obliged to wear seat-belts. Third, there are very strict rules against drinking and driving. A drunken person can be banned from driving for two or three years, fined heavily (up to £5000), or even imprisoned. Fourth, the maximum permitted speed in towns and built-up areas is only 30 mph (about 50 km/h).

According to recent estimates, about 70 per cent of British families own one or more cars. For that reason, driving in big cities is often frustrating with frequent hold-ups and crowded streets. However, motorists can avoid traffic jams if they refrain from driving during rush hour (between 8 and 9 o'clock a.m. and between 5 and 6 o'clock p.m.). Heavy traffic is not the only inconvenience in big cities. Many drivers have problems with parking, especially in the centre. Infringement of parking regulations can result in fines, wheel clamps or even the removal of a vehicle by the police.

Driving is more enjoyable on modern motorways on which drivers may maintain a speed of 70 miles an hour (112 km/h). If they are tired of driving, they may stop at any motorway service centre beside the road. It usually includes a cafeteria, parking space, a motor hotel and a shop where newspapers, sweets, soft drinks, books and souvenirs can be bought. If travellers have more time to spare, they may leave the motorway at almost any exit and within a radius of 3 miles enjoy the quiet English countryside and the hospitality of local people.

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