It's a jungle out there...highway and traffic rant

[BDKane01]

A few months ago, I returned home to NC from being in Detroit nearly 4 years. I'm elated to be back and all.

However, I'm not sure what the hell is in the water now...but people are stupider than ever in traffic/on highways. It is damn near dangerous to be driving in the mornings now.

People following extra close at 70+ mph...less than a car length sometimes! Passing on the right by people going 20+ the speed limit. Slower traffic staying on the left because they think it's cool going the speed limit.

If you leave 2-3 car lengths people will look to fill them and slow down. Cutting in front of you to try to beat you to their destination. I feel like I am going to have to learn to be much more of a defensive driver to even get to work.

It totally wasn't this bad when I left home. Good grief.

[themadscientist]

[Tcoat]

You just got used to those overly polite, respectful and highly skilled Detroit drivers.

[TMW]

why not learn to be an offensive driver instead?

[JD001]

Originally Posted by TMW

why not learn to be an offensive driver instead?

You mean, if you can't beat'em join em?

[Lelantas]

You can't control what other people will do, so best to just drive defensively and courteously yourself. If I see a car moving faster than me pull up from behind, I always make an effort to merge right and let them by. Same deal if they're tailgating. It's a race I'd opt to lose any day.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by JD001

You mean, if you can't beat'em join em?

More like if you can't join 'em beat 'em.

[BDKane01]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

You just got used to those overly polite, respectful and highly skilled Detroit drivers.

Is that what it was? I can't say I would be able to tell "skillfull" highway commuters from the next. Just asshole drivers.

Originally Posted by TMW

why not learn to be an offensive driver instead?

I like my BRZ. I would like to keep it in good shape.

Originally Posted by Lelantas

You can't control what other people will do, so best to just drive defensively and courteously yourself. If I see a car moving faster than me pull up from behind, I always make an effort to merge right and let them by. Same deal if they're tailgating. It's a race I'd opt to lose any day.

I do this. But, I have to say it is bad enough for me to want to take some kind of defensive driving course and learn better car control.

I just can't understand everyone trying to "beat," each other at traffic? You moved in front of me and cut car lengths in half...congrats?

[Pat.Thornton]

I totally agree with you op, it hasn't always been this bad. I try not to drive on the highways if i can.

People believe they can get to work earlier by making as many stupid passing moves in highway traffic as possible. In reality though they're only getting there maybe a minuet or two earlier on their 30 minuet commute, and they are endangering everyone else's lives. They could've just left home earlier smh

"Such a graceless age"- Don Henley

RIP


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[Ashikabi]

Why'd you buy a car with supreme handling if you aren't going to use it to out maneuver other drivers? The muscle cars won't be able to make use of their power in traffic, this is you're chance to win!

[ZionsWrath]

lol, I just got home from CMP. People do fly out there. I set cruise to 71mph and I was the slowest besides the tractor trailers on the interstate.

On the backroads I find they follow close and don't use the opposing lane to pass even though it is legal. They just ride your ass.

But in general the people there are way more friendly than I have experienced in NY.

[ScoobsMcGee]

Where in NC? I frequently visit Winston-Salem and Asheville. With a few notable exceptions, both cities have extremely polite (and slow moving) drivers. Maybe I'm too used to the DC/Baltimore area. Driving the beltway remind me more of playing Frogger than anything else.

Gorram alligators.

[MuseChaser]

Originally Posted by Ashikabi

Why'd you buy a car with supreme handling if you aren't going to use it to out maneuver other drivers? The muscle cars won't be able to make use of their power in traffic, this is you're chance to win!

Win what? The most dangerous, discourteous driver award?

There's an intersection followed immediately by a merge from two lanes down to one (each direction, of course) just as I leave home town for work. This merge is followed by about 8 miles of two-way traffic. After that, the road reaches the next town and widens into several lanes again.

Invariably, some (insert epithet here) thinks it's best to accelerate as fast as possible in the RIGHT hand lane prior to the merge (this is in a 30mph zone) then cut off the folks who've already merged to the left lane in a timely fashion (me, usually) at the last possible moment, either forcing me into the oncoming traffic lane (on the few times where there is no oncoming traffic) or to slam on my brakes to avoid an accident. OK.. they won. They've won the right to be exactly one car ahead of me for the next 8 miles. When we hit the light in the next town, they're exactly that same distance ahead of me.. one car length. Was it really worth risking a few lives for a 20 feet, give or take?

These are public highways and roads. You should NOT, EVER, be trying to "out maneuver" other drivers. You should be driving safe speeds (whatever that means to you; if it means exceeding the speed limit and risking being ticketed, that's your business) and making sure that the other drivers around you do NOT have to guess what you're going to do. Always make your intentions known, and don't drive in an erratic fashion when others are involved. Public road driving is a team sport. You don't have to like the other players on your team, but you should work with them even if they don't work with you. "Out maneuvering" or competing with them is irresponsible at best, and life-threatening or -taking at worst.

Yeah, I know. I've had a tough couple days.

Best to you,

Barry

[Ashikabi]

Originally Posted by MuseChaser

Win what? The most dangerous, discourteous driver award?

There's an intersection followed immediately by a merge from two lanes down to one (each direction, of course) just as I leave home town for work. This merge is followed by about 8 miles of two-way traffic. After that, the road reaches the next town and widens into several lanes again.

Invariably, some (insert epithet here) thinks it's best to accelerate as fast as possible in the RIGHT hand lane prior to the merge (this is in a 30mph zone) then cut off the folks who've already merged to the left lane in a timely fashion (me, usually) at the last possible moment, either forcing me into the oncoming traffic lane (on the few times where there is no oncoming traffic) or to slam on my brakes to avoid an accident. OK.. they won. They've won the right to be exactly one car ahead of me for the next 8 miles. When we hit the light in the next town, they're exactly that same distance ahead of me.. one car length. Was it really worth risking a few lives for a 20 feet, give or take?

This are public highways and roads. You should NOT, EVER, be trying to "out maneuver" other drivers. You should be driving safe speeds (whatever that means to you; if it means exceeding the speed limit and risking being ticketed, that's your business) and making sure that the other drivers around you do NOT have to guess what you're going to do. Always make your intentions known, and don't drive in an erratic fashion when others are involved. Public road driving is a team sport. You don't have to like the other players on your team, but you should work with them even if they don't work with you. "Out maneuvering" or competing with them is irresponsible at best, and life-threatening or -taking at worst.

Yeah, I know. I've had a tough couple days.

Best to you,

Barry

It's not about what's safe or how much faster they got to work. It's all about WINNING!