Hmm. It’s been a while since I’ve driven in California. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have them. However, in my experience, I have mostly seen them back east, what with higher population densities and all. It might have been hyperbole on my part, but I think it is still safe to say that most states in the west don’t use them. It’s the same as my saying that most states in the west have 75 mph speed limits on the interstate. There may be one or two exceptions, but it’s a general rule of thumb now.
I’m a dyslexic fool with a one track mind, for other peoples salty, I don’t travel alone to places I am not familiar with. It’s ignorant to assume everyone should have the same abilities as you on the road. My life is GREATLY effected by my difficulties when driving.
I’m not saying that people don’t act foolishly on the road, and should know what they are doing. I’m just saying that what might appear effortless to some, is absolutely nerve-racking and scary for another.
Most laws I’ve seen refer to the legal (as opposed to social) minimum speed as something like 15 mph under the speed limit. Which is obnoxiously slow…except…if somebody is doing the legal minimum, but aren’t making it difficult for people to pass, I don’t see what’s wrong with that. It’s when they do it in the left lane, or speed up when people try to pass, that it’s a problem.
This isn’t at a mall, but there’s a notorious stop sign about 300 yards from where I work. The main road is two lanes, and if you’re coming eastbound you can sort of dogleg to a road on the left. Westbound has a stop sign at the dogleg, letting the eastbound people either go straight or left with impunity. The problem is, the sign is turned slightly, in such a way that it almost looks like the stop sign is for the dogleg, not the main road (and really, it’s a very strange setup for an intersection).
I don’t normally go that way, but in the course of a week had to head in that general direction. The first two times I went that way I ran right through the stop sign, going about 15mph; once at night when there was a car coming. It would have been entirely my fault if there had been an accident, and I accepted wholeheartedly the honking and yelling the other driver did… I would’ve been seriously pissed off too. I still have to consciously remind myself that even though it looks weird, that sign is directed at me.
Anyway, just thought I’d toss that out there… I can read, I just can’t read the minds of the DOT people who put the sign at a weird angle. 
A note to those idiots who decide not to bother using their turn signals: those things are there for a REASON and it is a DAMN GOOD ONE! How else are the drivers/pedestrians/bikers/etc supposed to know you’re going to turn? In case you have forgotten, you are not the only one on the road, and if you hit someone with your car it will hurt them!!
Use the damn things!!!
Californian here…
The posted speed limits do not state a minimum speed. However, we have the ultimate cop out law, the “basic speed law”, which states:
They can ticket you if the cop feels you’re driving faster than what HE thinks is safe. There’s our minimum speed law.
Utah, on the other hand, has signs stating “SPEED LIMIT 80 MPH”, and right below that “Minimum Speed 45 MPH.”
The rule is:
Posted limit + 10 mph on all open highways. EXCEPT:
a) Western half of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (where the Hwy Patrol introduces recruits to the fine art of the traffic stop? I saw 6 stops in just one valley - amazing density!).
b) The entire state of Georgia.
If you really, really want to speed (and get away with it):
Stay in lane 2, going with traffic and hope lane 1 stays open for some moron to go blasting past you. Once said moron is a couple miles ahead of you, pull into lane 1 and PACE DO NOT OVERTAKE the moron. When the cop nails the moron, slow as you pass IN LANE TWO and await the arrival of the next “bush beater”.
(hey, it worked for me at 02:00 I-65 in Alabama)
We need different levels of drivers licenses. You know, just like they do for pilots. And not just the CDLs and such. Each has increasing levels of instruction.
First level would be a certification that allows you to drive in town and residential areas. It will include car-specific training such as lightbulb replacement, tire inflation and changing, gas station etiquette, and parking lot common sense. Not to mention how to keep an eye out for motorcycles.
Second level would get you bigger roads, light state highways and driving in the rain/snow. Also more car training, like snow chain installation, wiper blade replacement, taking-the-sunshade-out-of-the-windshield-before-you-drive instruction, etc.
Third level gets you interstate rights. It will be an intensive three week course on keeping your slow ass out of the left lane.
In addition to this, SUVs and minivans will require type ratings, where you will learn to parallel park that land barge in less than 20 minutes.
Thank you!!! That is the most annoying thing…the same thing is so true about merging onto a divided highway as well.
the only problem i have with others on the road is when they are too slow to cross the intersection on the yellow light and i am behind them, i wanna rip their heart out 