So I was driving around at lunch one day and I was almost cut off by a car trying to merge onto the freeway. Last time I checked they are the ones that are supposed to yield (see “A properly designed freeway on-ramp”) but that doesn’t seem to be the case here in San Diego. This got me thinking a bit about the differences I’ve noticed in driving styles between Chicago drivers and San Diego drivers. below is a comparison.

I invite you to add your city if you like:

Scenario San Diego Chicago
Merging onto the freeway The car merging seems to have the right of way. The car merging better look out for everyone else.
Signaling Using a signal lets other know your intentions so they can let you in. Using a signal lets others know your intentions and thereby allows them to block your next move. Most drivers never use them.
Horn usage Use of the horn is withheld for only the most extreme times. Horns no longer register as drivers use them so often, they have lost all meaning.
Taxis Better call ahead and plan to travel at least 10-15 miles. Always around and its not uncommon to get in a cab to go two blocks because of the weather.
Rush Hour Its bad because traffic moves at only 20 mph. Its bad because traffic actually goes in reverse sometimes.
Parking Spaces Spaces are about half the size of an average car which is funny since 75% of San Diegans have SUVs. Parking spaces don’t exist, drivers must “bump” cars apart to parallel park.
Gas Prices Sucks a lot. Sucks a lot.
Average Driving Style Defensive because “Most other people don’t know how to drive”. Offensive because “I’m a better driver than you are.”
Bad weather effect Accidents up 200% during a light drizzle. Average speed slows from 85 mph to 65 mph durring most blizzards.
Spacial Awareness Doesn’t exist. Assume a buffer of 5 feet beyond the car’s actual dimensions. Very precise. Car dimensions are known down to the centimeter. Knowledge acquired from parking (see Parking Spaces).