1. When moving to the left lane from the center lane on an interstate highway, you should:
a) Match the speed of the traffic in the left lane and then move over when you see an opening.
b) Turn on your left turn signal and wait for the drivers to your left to make room for you.
c) Try to make eye contact with a driver in the left lane and communicate using crude sign language that you want to get over.
d) Tap your brakes and turn on your right turn signal. Drift slightly to the right and then veer sharply to the left while gunning the gas and honking your horn. Assume other drivers will move.
2. The use of exit numbers on interstate highways became mandatory in 1971. When did California begin implementing exit numbers interstates?
a) 1968
b) 1971
c) 2002
d) 1973
3. A 4 lane highway where traffic slows to a crawl every weekday at 3:30 in the afternoon:
a) Should be widened as soon as possible.
b) Is a good rationale for more public transportation.
c) Is a good argument for a coordinated plan to prevent sprawl.
d) Is a good place for an exit for a new housing development.
4. The phrase "RIGHT LANE EXIT ONLY" means:
a) If you are in the right lane, you must exit the freeway.
b) If you are in the right lane and do not want to exit the freeway, you must merge left as soon as possible.
c) If you are exiting the freeway, you must be in the right lane.
d) If you want to zip past 200 pathetic rule-obeying saps, here's your chance.
5. A stretch of asphalt that has massive potholes about every 100 feet:
a) Should be closed for repairs immediately.
b) Is justification for another 11/32 of a cent sales tax.
c) Is an indication that the state is squandering its federal highway funds.
d) Must be some sort of runway.
6. Draw a line indicating the best driving route between point A and point B:
7. If the roadway is wet, you should:
a) Drive slightly slower and more carefully than usual, because water can make the road slippery.
b) Drive the same speed as usual, because your boss doesn't care that the road is wet, you still have to be at work by 8.
c) Drive WAY slower than normal, because water falling out of the sky is an omen of some kind of impeding disaster.
d) Drive WAY faster than normal, because hydroplaning is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
e) Any of the above except (a).
8. In 2004 California voters passed a $3 Billion bond proposition to:
a) Retrofit bridges and tunnels for earthquake protection.
b) Fund public transportation projects.
c) Build several new state highways.
d) Research ways to clone more people.
ANSWERS:
1. d
2. c
3. d
4. d
5. d
6. (See below)
7. e
8. d
SCORING
0-1 Don't move. We'll come get you.
2-3 You should probably stick to side streets. And don't leave Nebraska.
4-5 You may be able to drive on California's highways for short periods of time without experiencing any severe trauma.
6-7 You are a born California commuter! Your cell phone and handgun are on the way.
8 I hear Cal Trans is looking for a new director.
a) Match the speed of the traffic in the left lane and then move over when you see an opening.
b) Turn on your left turn signal and wait for the drivers to your left to make room for you.
c) Try to make eye contact with a driver in the left lane and communicate using crude sign language that you want to get over.
d) Tap your brakes and turn on your right turn signal. Drift slightly to the right and then veer sharply to the left while gunning the gas and honking your horn. Assume other drivers will move.
2. The use of exit numbers on interstate highways became mandatory in 1971. When did California begin implementing exit numbers interstates?
a) 1968
b) 1971
c) 2002
d) 1973
3. A 4 lane highway where traffic slows to a crawl every weekday at 3:30 in the afternoon:
a) Should be widened as soon as possible.
b) Is a good rationale for more public transportation.
c) Is a good argument for a coordinated plan to prevent sprawl.
d) Is a good place for an exit for a new housing development.
4. The phrase "RIGHT LANE EXIT ONLY" means:
a) If you are in the right lane, you must exit the freeway.
b) If you are in the right lane and do not want to exit the freeway, you must merge left as soon as possible.
c) If you are exiting the freeway, you must be in the right lane.
d) If you want to zip past 200 pathetic rule-obeying saps, here's your chance.
5. A stretch of asphalt that has massive potholes about every 100 feet:
a) Should be closed for repairs immediately.
b) Is justification for another 11/32 of a cent sales tax.
c) Is an indication that the state is squandering its federal highway funds.
d) Must be some sort of runway.
6. Draw a line indicating the best driving route between point A and point B:
7. If the roadway is wet, you should:
a) Drive slightly slower and more carefully than usual, because water can make the road slippery.
b) Drive the same speed as usual, because your boss doesn't care that the road is wet, you still have to be at work by 8.
c) Drive WAY slower than normal, because water falling out of the sky is an omen of some kind of impeding disaster.
d) Drive WAY faster than normal, because hydroplaning is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
e) Any of the above except (a).
8. In 2004 California voters passed a $3 Billion bond proposition to:
a) Retrofit bridges and tunnels for earthquake protection.
b) Fund public transportation projects.
c) Build several new state highways.
d) Research ways to clone more people.
ANSWERS:
1. d
2. c
3. d
4. d
5. d
6. (See below)
7. e
8. d
SCORING
0-1 Don't move. We'll come get you.
2-3 You should probably stick to side streets. And don't leave Nebraska.
4-5 You may be able to drive on California's highways for short periods of time without experiencing any severe trauma.
6-7 You are a born California commuter! Your cell phone and handgun are on the way.
8 I hear Cal Trans is looking for a new director.
| posted by Diesel at Friday, November 24, 2006 |
|
Leave a comment! |
It's absolutely incredible how well driving in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee has prepared me for driving in California. THANKS, Red States!!
I love the map question. Chicago was like that. I lived in downtown Chicago, and it took me 90 minutes to go 10 miles out to the western suburbs via the highway, or about 75 minutes if I traveled halfway up to Wisconsin (North) and then East from there.
Errr ... I mean West from there ... East would have put me in the middle of Lake Michigan.
When are you coming to pick me up?
You should try driving in South Florida, where 80% of the people would be considered illegals but because if you are Cuban and you manage to get to dry land you are legal. Drivers licenses? You get those from vending machines. Vehicle inspections? Done away with years ago.
Almost all the same quiz questions apply with the exception of one. How to merge. The correct answer is to just cut over anytime you see a space that may be large enough for your car. No turn signals! If someone else sees that signal they will speed up, blocking you.
For extra fun try to merge while towing a boat! Here is how this is done. Break the turn signal rule and turn on the signal. Let it flash three or four times - then begin to drift over. Ignore the honking - KEEP DRIFTING. If you cause an accident - keep going!!
Not a single question about what caliber of weapon you should pack for the trip!?! What the hell kind of a California Driving Quiz is this?
Diesel, you are a cruel monster. It's too soon after my awful driving adventures in L.A. to put this up. Damn you to eternal damnation (wow, two 'damns' in one sentence).
I must have had a CA in front of me today here in NJ. She turned right from the far left lane cutting me off, thne made a U turn cutting off me and the a huge PU going in the other direction. But I really knew she was from CA because she wors a goofy big white hat.
Joel - Kind of like how the cool nights in California prepared me for winters in Michigan.
Crack - The sad thing is, I traced the actual route that I often take home. On a Friday night, driving that crazy route (through the MALL, no less) probably saves me 10 minutes.
I hear the lake is nice this time of year.
Robin - Hold tight. Someone will be by shortly.
Iguana - Hmmm. By South Florida, do you mean the Miami area? Because I used to live in Southwest Florida (Ft. Myers area) and the biggest hazard there was old ladies who couldn't see over the steering wheel. Also, your roads don't have to go around mountains, or hills, or, geez, any land that's more than 3 feet above sea level, come to think of it.
Al - My wife tells me it's not the caliber, but what you do with it that matters.
Dan - Just keep your eyes on the Taco Bell. It's going to be ok.
I might be out there in February. You are making me nervous.
Fab - Be afraid.
I've always found the answer of "speed up, sound horn" to be a good one.
I've driven through rush hours with no map and jet lag in London, Paris, Seoul, and Pretoria.
I admit Beijing might phase me, but that's about it. California? Pah! I just relax and read my magazines.
-wolfe
So does this mean that when I visit I can't drive my scooter on the highway?
Wolfe - Are you James Bond?
Alastair - Depends. Can it get up to 80? Because then you can zip through traffic in between lanes. No, seriously, it's legal.
I've wondered that myself..