I’m also from England and used to stop signs. Pretty certain the junction in question now has stop signs on it (go look at Google Street View)

Doesn’t it now have stop signs?

It’s called the Modern Slavery Act. It’s what developed nations do to ease their collective conscience.

I’m seeing the new BMW/Toyota mashup here, particularly in the back. Perhaps the Z% just became the new 8 Series?

Yes. All of the yes. I got looked at like a crazy man for buying a two seater because it wasn’t “practical” and didn’t have “enough space” when I made it clear I didn’t need any more.

Safety? if someone goes into the back of you when stopped and you’re foot is on the brake, your foot is likely to come off the brake and you move forward more than you should. It’s sensible to handbrake and park/neutral for that reason alone when stopped.

As a brit, all I can now surmise is that driving in the States must be an absolute doddle.

There’s some utter clangers in here. Gear changes are not made at fixed rev or speed intervals, each car is different and it’s done on feel and experience. Also, you don’t take an intermediate gear when slowing to a halt, that’s what brakes are for.

There was nothing under the tarp. The seats appeared to have been removed a while ago by the state of the remaining metalwork.