# Rhode Island ranks lowest for 2nd straight year **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2006, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347 "2006-05-26T18:11:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/41 "2006-05-26T21:34:50Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > Hey I live in Jersey, I knew we would be near the bottom. I just find Conn. drivers almost as bad. I have no real experience with RI though. I was only there once for about 20 minutes. > > Jim {It was in 2005} Actually, CT drivers do suck… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/42 "2006-05-26T21:40:05Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I bet it’s the first question about the flat tire. I said ‘pull off the pavement’. They probably think it’s park in the right lane. > > Driving 2 lane mountain roads 99% of the time, you do not want to park in the right lane. You get off the road. Plain and simple. It’s really a poorly worded question. Nope, just ran through again. I changed to park in right lane and my score dropped, so that one is park off the road. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/43 "2006-05-26T21:42:48Z")
New Jersey, 90 A couple of those questions seemed really weird. Where do you park when you have a flat? I think that sort of depends on the road. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/44 "2006-05-26T21:51:47Z")
MA driver here. 75.0%. I suppose it explains why I never had any problems driving in RI when SO lived there 😃 Driving in other states? The law-abidedness of some of them not only makes me do a double-take; it causes my heard to swerve like Regan’s in _The Exorcist_. I _expect_ jaywalkers all the time, for instance. The thought that anybody would wait for a “walk” light will always baffle me. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/45 "2006-05-26T21:55:20Z")
85% and California. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/46 "2006-05-26T22:19:44Z")
I get a message saying the survey is closed. Anyone else? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/47 "2006-05-26T22:21:20Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I get a message saying the survey is closed. Anyone else? Oh crap, you broke the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/48 "2006-05-26T22:53:22Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I get a message saying the survey is closed. Anyone else? Yup. Me too. BTW, I’m very surprised that Oregon and Washington drivers were 1 and 2. Considering some of the drivers I see around here, that doesn’t bode at all well for the rest of you folks. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/49 "2006-05-26T23:24:02Z")
[six million dollar man]We can rebuild it[/smdm] This is gonna drive me nuts. So. It wasn’t the flat tire question. How good is your memory? Questions I remember. The divided highway sign The right lane ends sign The bright lights one, I sort of remember [only when you need them (something like that)] The ‘When are roads slipperiest’ [first rain after dry period] The pedestrian crosswalk. [only when there is a crosswalk] Raining hard to see, smoke blowing across the road :dubious: [RUN!]. No [Use your regular lights.] Parking facing downhill [point wheels towards curb] Something about stop lights and stop signs police and something else. Who has authority or right of way [police] ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/50 "2006-05-27T00:00:25Z")
Heh, I’m from RI, and I got this message: Thank you for your interest in the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. Due to an overwhelming response of drivers wanting to take the test, we are unable to accommodate you at this time. You will find the questions and answer key, or you are welcome to try to take the test again later, at [gmacinsurance.com](http://gmacinsurance.com). We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. We wish you safe travels this holiday weekend! I think it’s a conspiracy. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/51 "2006-05-27T00:22:24Z")
Yeah, the site is down from too much traffic. But I’m from VT, and apparantly we are the exception to the bad northeast drivers, as we ranked #3! Woo! ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/52 "2006-05-27T00:28:01Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > Oh crap, you broke the internet. No, I broke it since I was the last one to get through the survey. My |_337 |-|/-\X 5X|_|_5 R|_||_3 /-|_|\_ !!! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/53 "2006-05-27T01:01:09Z")
From the ‘Key’ It’s wrong. The bolded stuff are their answers. 13. A pedestrian crossing at the corner has the right-of-way: (Select one) a. At marked crosswalks only **b. At marked or unmarked crosswalks** c. Only at intersections controlled by signals, lights, or stop signs What the heck is an ‘unmarked’ crosswalk? It ain’t a crosswalk if it’s unmarked. Ummm. No. If it is not a controlled intersection, and there is not a marked crosswalk, vehiclular traffic has the right of way. I might be wrong about this. But anyone that steps of the curb does not have the ROW. 1. The following sign indicates: (Select one) | | | | | | | a. The right lane will end ahead b. The highway will be divided ahead **c. Less space between lanes ahead** I choose ‘a’. That’s what the sign means. And another one. 16. This sign means that you should not pass: (Select one) **DO** **NOT** **PASS** a. Other vehicles for any reason b. Unless it seems safe to do so **c. Until after pass the sign** :rolleyes: I chose ‘A’. Which is correct. So. I give GMAC an 85. They missed 3. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/54 "2006-05-27T09:08:07Z")
15 and 16 of those are dead wrong wrong wrong. 13 was one I was a bit curious about. As far as I know the driving code doesn’t “give the right of way” to anyone(including pederstrians). However it may require the driver to “yield the right of way” to other drivers and/or walkers. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/55 "2006-05-27T14:11:49Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > I live in Massachusetts. > > I got a 95. > > _I don’t have a driver’s license._ Same here (on all 3 counts). Maybe I should go get a license, since I seem to know the rules! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/56 "2006-05-27T14:17:44Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > 15 and 16 of those are dead wrong wrong wrong. > > 13 was one I was a bit curious about. As far as I know the driving code doesn’t “give the right of way” to anyone(including pedestrians). However it may require the driver to “yield the right of way” to other drivers and/or walkers. 15 is kind of funny too. How can there be ‘less’ space between lanes? Is it going from a divided, to an undivided highway? Is the stripe painted thinner? Less space between lanes? 😕 :dubious: :rolleyes: :smack: :wally If they mean the road narrows, like at a bridge, its one of these - \ / | | / I think I know what they where trying to say on 16. They meant do not pass until you reach the ‘Pass With Care’ sign. Maybe? Bueler? I suspect some programmer cobbled together the ‘Key’ or answer list. Got to wonder if the guy has a drivers license. I got a 95 on the original test. I would have gotten an 85 if these where the answers. After quite a bit of digging on the GMAC site, I did come up with an email address. And sent off a heads up about the ‘answers’. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/57 "2006-05-27T14:21:31Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > From the ‘Key’ It’s wrong. The bolded stuff are their answers. > 13. A pedestrian crossing at the corner has the right-of-way: (Select one) > > a. At marked crosswalks only > > **b. At marked or unmarked crosswalks** > > c. Only at intersections controlled by signals, lights, or stop signs > > What the heck is an ‘unmarked’ crosswalk? It ain’t a crosswalk if it’s unmarked. Ummm. No. If it is not a controlled intersection, and there is not a marked crosswalk, vehiclular traffic has the right of way. > > I might be wrong about this. But anyone that steps of the curb does not have the ROW. > > 1. The following sign indicates: (Select one) > > | | > | > | | > | | > > a. The right lane will end ahead > > b. The highway will be divided ahead > > **c. Less space between lanes ahead** > > I choose ‘a’. That’s what the sign means. > > And another one. > 16. This sign means that you should not pass: (Select one) > > **DO** > **NOT** > **PASS** > > a. Other vehicles for any reason > > b. Unless it seems safe to do so > > **c. Until after pass the sign** :rolleyes: > > I chose ‘A’. Which is correct. > > So. I give GMAC an 85. They missed 3. The Mass state [drivers manual](http://www.mass.gov/rmv/dmanual/chapter4.pdf) says: For question **13** , you must always yield to pedestrians, so **b** is correct. For question **15** , both **a** and **c** are correct. The sign can mean that the road narrows, or that the right lane ends. It doesn’t have anything specific to say about the sign in question **16** , which might be why I got it wrong (I picked **a** ). ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/58 "2006-05-27T14:26:49Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > From the ‘Key’ It’s wrong. The bolded stuff are their answers. > 13. A pedestrian crossing at the corner has the right-of-way: (Select one) > > a. At marked crosswalks only > > **b. At marked or unmarked crosswalks** > > c. Only at intersections controlled by signals, lights, or stop signs > > What the heck is an ‘unmarked’ crosswalk? It ain’t a crosswalk if it’s unmarked. Ummm. No. If it is not a controlled intersection, and there is not a marked crosswalk, vehiclular traffic has the right of way. > > I might be wrong about this. But anyone that steps of the curb does not have the ROW. Out of curiosity, I checked the [Colorado driver’s manual](http://www.revenue.state.co.us/mv_dir/formspdf/DRP233713-18.pdf) and it does say: "PEDESTRIANS: When driving, you should yield the right of way to pedestrians under all conditions. Be particularly watchful for children, elderly and blind persons. Most blind persons are easily recognized by the white cane they carry and/or by their guide dog. Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections and crosswalks. Drivers must come to a complete stop and let the person pass safely." Don’t want you to get a ticket! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/59 "2006-05-27T14:56:54Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > The Mass state [drivers manual](http://www.mass.gov/rmv/dmanual/chapter4.pdf) says: > > For question **13** , you must always yield to pedestrians, so **b** is correct. Umm. Of course or your going to end up running someone over. BUT the answers refer to crosswalks. I live in a tourist town. We have crosswalks (marked ones) every where. If drivers stopped for any one that looked like they MAY want to cross the street at any place I’d still be coming back from work from last Tuesday. The police here are very strict about it. Pedestrians are supposed to cross in marked crosswalks and drivers are not obligated to stop and wait for people that MAY want to jay walk. Please don’t think that I believe motorist are allowed to run people over. > [@](#): > > For question **15** , both **a** and **c** are correct. Yep, when the right lane ends, the road narrows. I’ve never seen this sign used as anything but the right lane ends, that the road ‘narrows’ is a given. It’s used extensivly in Colorado for mountain passing lanes. Sure, the road does narrow when the right lane ends, but really…the sign is used (at least in Colorado) that the right lane is going to end. > [@](#): > > It doesn’t have anything specific to say about the sign in question **16** , which might be why I got it wrong (I picked **a** ). The do not pass answer was clearly cludged up. The best answer was ‘A’. Somebody screwed up with the answers when the site went down. I would have gotten an 85 instead of my original 95 with the posted answers. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347/60 "2006-05-27T17:34:37Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > If drivers stopped for any one that looked like they MAY want to cross the street at any place I’d still be coming back from work from last Tuesday. The police here are very strict about it. Pedestrians are supposed to cross in marked crosswalks and drivers are not obligated to stop and wait for people that MAY want to jay walk. Please don’t think that I believe motorist are allowed to run people over. If the pedestrian walks out into the street, you’re supposed to yield. It doesn’t matter if the pedestrian is doing something illegal. You’re not expected to anticipate people. IIRC the laws are just written this way to remove any excuses if you hit a jaywalker when you clearly could have yielded but didn’t. The answers in the quiz are poorly worded. I guess an “unmarked crosswalk” is just any place where someone decides to cross that isn’t marked. As for the “lanes narrowing” sign, I was always extremeley puzzled by this sign. I always complained (when I was learning how to drive,) “why do they put a sign showing lanes getting closer to indicate that one lane is ENDING?!?!” Now I know that they actually _are_ trying to say the lanes are getting closer together. It’s still stupid, because that’s not really what they’re doing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-ranks-lowest-for-2nd-straight-year/358347.md?page=4)