Did you ever drive in New York City around the 1980’s? Before they tightened up the traffic laws. The rules back then were basically anything goes. I was somewhat young and immature. Everyone drove like they were on a NASCAR track, and it was actually safer if you could drive faster than the rest of the cars. Or so we told ourselves. My friends always wanted me to drive, and I was more than willing. High adrenaline.
No my wife is from upstate NY. Close to St. Lawrence seaway, BUT, you just made me remember San Francisco in the SAME era! For my first time ever visiting and with a new drivers license... It was pure anarchy and I avoided that city at all costs after. People running lights that were half way through a cycle, not only drivers but people walking out crossing streets full of moving traffic... like frogger. CRAZY