Years ago they were very respectful and conservative of basic road markings but clearly they have now ‘expanded capabilities’
And they can't just park in bike lanes, obviously.
See CVC 21209(a):
No person shall drive a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane established on a roadway pursuant to Section 21207 except as follows:
(1) To park where parking is permitted.
(2) To enter or leave the roadway.
(3) To prepare for a turn within a distance of 200 feet from the intersection.
Freeways in CA aren't the worst in the country (lookin at you, TX), but they're still not easier than surface streets, especially during off-peak hours.
Can you expand a bit on why you feel freeway driving is "easier"? the only thing i can think of is you're much less likely to get into a head-on[0] collision.
[0] apply directly
As to why freeway is easier: maybe not as a very new driver, but as soon as you're comfortable handling a car you can get on the freeway and the mental processing loop is much easier. Just follow the car ahead at a safe distance for the speed. Very little else, can be done with just half a brain while you think about other things.
10 mph would be a great average speed, usually.
Of course, if you have an accident there, you piss off a whole lot more people than you would on a surface street.
never been. Is that the one from the phantom planet song?
Also, when Waymos get confused on surface streets, they can just stop. Can't really do that on a freeway.