Driving in Europe vs North America
Western Europe vs North America Roads
Some people have asked me to elaborate on the difference between driving in Europe vs North America.
Another page, located at this link, provides specific information as to road rules, avoiding tolls, and general route planning for Europe. It is a great reference page with many official links.
General Bio
I drove across North America in July 2004 starting at Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, and finishing on Prince Edward Island. On the same trip I drove down to West Virgina through New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.
On previous trips I have driven in Florida, Nevada, Montanna, North Dakota, and the west coast of the USA from Washington, Seattle, to San Francisco.
The point is that I have more than a little experience driving in North America. While you may not agree with some of the points I'll make, the points are made based on direct experience.
Main Difference
The major roads in Western Europe are superior to North American roads. The European roads are designed for safety, speed, and have a logical connection from one country to another. Major European roads are very well maintained even in the poorer countries like Spain.
The main reasons for all this coordination, maintenance, and design are based on sound economics—intra-country trade and toll collections. Trade between European countries is significant therefore well coordianted and considered essential to the future of the European common market. Fast, safe, and economical delivery of goods by trucks is essential for trade.
Not all major European roads are toll. That said there are many toll roads, so many that you will need to do some route planning to lower your travel costs. This planing doesn't have to be extensive as there are many supeior non-toll roads in Europe. Italy is the exception to this statement; in Italy you'll have to take toll roads to get to your destination quickly and safely.
Critical Differences
North American drivers do not yield promptly, if at all, to faster approaching vehicles. They are not legally required to so. European drivers are required to give way to faster vehicles (safely of course). In Europe getting a ticket for speeding , on a major road, is far less likely than getting a ticket for slowing down/impeding traffic.
European speed limits, on major roadways, are higher than in North American. European cars are fuel efficient, well constructed, and built for speed thusly a higher limit makes sense.
In Europe the police are not overly concerned with excessive speed on the major roads. North American police seem to obtain great delight and income (ticket fines) from enforcing arbritary lower speed limits.
