iop92

Actually, I live in a hilly area too. Probably not the same as you describe it, but nevertheless: when I cycle to the gym, I drive downhill at crazy speeds, then I have to cycle back and it's annoying, yes. There's probably the crime aspect too, I guess. I'm not afraid to walk on the streets at any time (except certain areas).

I think our roads are in a worse condition than yours. They've been designed by idiots (also called Ma-Atz, initials for something), and they're full of potholes and bumps. We didn't have any toll roads till a couple of years ago. A private company made one, called Highway 6, and it's spread across the country, I gotta say it's wonderful! I can pay everything for that... No police at every corner so you can speed up a bit, no traffic jams and no stopping to pay the toll prices either. There's a special systme that photographs your license plate and the payment gets sent to you. If you don't pay, next time your car is spotted on the highway you'll catch the highway police behind you. Wonderful system, they should make more roads like that. Plus it's really pretty!

As for wide highways... The highway you see in the picture is the widest in Israel. They added one more lane on the other side though, but it's still only 5-6 lanes at most, and we're talking about the busiest highway in Israel.

143hill

OMG a private road? I've never ever heard of that. I mean, super rich areas have private residential roads, but Caltrans would NEVER approve such a project, because they know they could do the same thing and get the money from the tolls.

I'm not afraid to walk the streets in the dark, it's just really unpleasant for me. I'm not a morning person and would probably take a wrong turn and end up at a cul-de-sac instead of my Euro class .

Dang, that sucks about the shape of your freeways. One benefit of having such a massive freeway network is there almost always is an alternate freeway to use [although you might have to hunt through some surface streets to find it].

Haha I'm still shocked at the thought of a private freeway! Very cool, very cool indeed. I'm always amazed at places who have private transit systems and roads because literally all of that here is public. Funny how no one ever really tried to make a business out of it here. They do with everything else

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iop92

It's not private! LOL. It's a private company that signed a contract with the government. It's a regular tollroad but the government didn't pay for it. However it is costly if you don't make a subscription with them. An hour's drive costs you about 20$.

143hill

oh hahahaha i get it now.


and WOW that's an expensive drive! i'd definitely subscribe or walk!

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iop92

Yeah subscription cuts the price in half, even more. It's easier for them as they can just charge your credit card.

Oh and I haven't mentioned speed limits... 60mph everywhere! Only on that toll-road you can illegally get to 80-90...

143hill

90, legally?!

The unposted speed limit for all the freeways is 65, although in some windy areas it can dip down to 55. People generally do 70-80 though. People are in too much of a rush in my opinion. In my city, many of the surface streets are designed like freeways with stoplights. The only problem is people tend to associate eight lane roads with freeway speeds! The speed limit at its highest is 55mph on surface streets, but some people whiz by me at 70mph on a regular street! Insane, if you ask me.

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iop92

LOL, I think I was exaggerating there, we use the metric system. About 75mph won't get you to jail on public roads, but if you encounter one of the police stakeouts you might be in trouble. On that private road however, people don't usually give a damn. Yes, it's illegal but they get to 80 and a bit more.

70 on a regular street is too much, I agree. But driving fast isn't unsafe, take Germany as an example. Ever seen the autobahns there? They're highly maintained highways, where there's no speed limit at parts. People drive at speeds as high as 155 mph there (that's usually the electronic speed limit of high-end cars). And there aren't that many traffic accidents there, it's a matter of people knowing how to drive, and driving modern and safe cars.

143hill

Oh ahaaha yeah, 90mph would definitely be nuts.

I think the system in Germany is awesome. I wish it'd work here, but the freeway system here could never survive at high speeds. With stops every often every 1/4 [a major flaw of the system] there's just too much lane changing to do high speeds safely. Not to mention the amount of dumbasses the DMV deemed fit to drive...

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iop92

Haha, yes I've heard American drivers are terrible, but I assure you ours are worse. Plus, there's not enough room to accelerate to these speeds, hehe.

I Like Guys

my stepbrother got pulled over going 93mph in a 55mph zone but of course he didn't get in trouble because he NEVER does, no matter what..

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This life is way too short to get caught up in all this stuff when I just want you to love me back! Why can't you just love me back?!

aafreund90

I am paying so much for gas that I'm having to tell my boss that I need more hours so that I can pay for gas.

On a good note though the U.S. Government has just decided to play the blame game after three years, but there not blaming the oil companies. There blaming the large financial adviser companies for driving the price up for oil. Man I love how the U.S. Government still hasn't learned to talk about the real problems and issues.

I really wish I lived in japan or china right now so that I could just walk or take public transportation to work and school.

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I love to love. I dream to dream. I once again dream to love you.

Mike

Gas seems to have leveled around around here lately. Last couple times I've filled up was for $4.59~$4.65.

Our software guy at work posted a picture on the wall in his office when gas was 97 cents/gal. Makes me feel old

aafreund90

The Software guy shouldnt have anything to worry about considering the fact that he makes about $90,000 to $170,00 dollars a year.

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I love to love. I dream to dream. I once again dream to love you.

Mike

He makes about $40,000 actually

He also has a Mercedes that runs on cooking oil .. heh.

dragon072891

hey, at least your bus was a Mercedes??

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life is what you make it, it dose'nt come pre packaged,, so i say do a good job because your the only one that cant escape it