This might be of use to those of you from other states that are going to the first Wyoming gathering. Thanks to Slow's comments, in another thread, about his concern for foamies in high winds, I have been investigating both the winds and the laws in Wyoming, via the Internet.
(No, I don't have a foamie.) It has been surprisingly entertaining!
Wyoming Winds:While wind is nothing to be trivial about, when I looked at the Wyoming Climate Atlas, it listed the wind’s average speed for each year, for the years 1961 through 1990, in Figure 11.22, as well as other such data. The wind information given is referenced here:
http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/sco/climateatlas/wind.htmlNote: it gives some wind speeds in knots. One knot is approximately 1.151 mph.
Although Wyoming ranks 1st as the windiest state in the nation, according to the above website, the average annual wind speed is 12.9 mph. While that doesn’t sound bad, it should be noted that “average annual wind speed” is a total of 365 collected wind speeds divided by 365. Further, it is explained that wind gusts frequently are 50 to 60 mph. I personally think that wind gusts might be more of a problem than constant wind because a gust can take a driver by surprise and/or cause an over-correction. The best thing a visiting driver can do is be aware that wind gusts can occur in Wyoming at most any time so that he/she can be prepared to handle the situation, whether that means to park beside a building until the winds subside or to soldier on carefully, at a slower speed.
Wyoming Speed Laws:Speaking of driving at a slower speed, here are some of Wyoming’s general maximum speeds:
Major Interstate Highways…...….: 75 mph
Secondary Highways……….....…..: 65 mph
Unpaved Roadways…………........: 55 mph
Commercial & Residential Areas.: 30 mph
School Zones……..………......….….: 20 mph
In bad weather (rain, etc)….…….: Max speeds decrease by 5 to 10 mph.
Note: On all Wyoming’s roads, always adhere to Wyoming’s posted max speeds (subtract 5 or 10 mph in bad weather) as they could differ from the above for any reason.
While I copied some of the above from another website, I also looked at Wyoming’s actual speed laws, which can be found here:
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/statutes/st ... CH5AR3.htmWyoming Traffic Laws and Personal Attitudes:Here are a couple things to be careful of:
If you are carrying any kind of concealed weapon and don’t have a Wyoming permit to do so, you’d better hope they don’t find it or you may visualize kissing your ‘donkey’ good-bye.
I doubt you’d be stupid enough to drive under the influence; however, Wyoming has recently changed its laws on its testing procedures. If an officer of the law wants you to take a DUI test, you cannot refuse.
While I read that Wyoming is one of the least traffic-regulated states, don’t mess with the local or highway law enforcement. While not a law, if you meet up with or are stopped by any of them, be certain to call them ‘Officer’,’ Sir’, Miss, or ‘Mam’, as is appropriate to their gender and personal status, and be a courteous as you can as they aren’t going to be fooling around with you. While you’re at it, just be extra polite to everybody. Remember, as a tourist, you’re representing your state as well as yourself.
While reading and extracting some of the above from various websites, I found this rant:
If you want to smoke pot, move to California. If you are a man and want to marry a man, move to California. If you want to have the government take care of you, move to California. In Wyoming we stand on our own two feet and don't support liberal thinking.
While I chuckle at the above comment, it pretty much sums up how to act in Wyoming: thoughtfully and with consideration for the local beliefs and customs.
With my licensed plates, (California) if I visit Wyoming, I think I’ll get a bumper sticker that reads: Lil’ Ol’ Lady…No, on second thought, I’d better not even do that! The police might think I’m that hot-rod dingy ol’ lady from Pasadena that the Beach Boys sang about and stop me for a breathalyzer test!
by Woodbutcher » Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:10 pm 
HeHeHaHaHaHa! 
