Driving In Chicago (Lincoln: live, delivery, public transportation)

[advocatusdiavoli]

I am used to public transportation but in Chicago driving is a must, unless you never venture outside of downtown. Driving in Chicago however, can be a really a frustrating experience. I am observing this for a while and it seems that some of the bad habits are so widespread they became a norm. Can someone enlighten me why is this happening?

1) not using turn signals when making turns on city streets and changing lanes on highways

2) not keeping up with traffic, it seems that most motorists here never heard of that common sense rule

3) slow driving in the left lane even though all other lanes are open

4) making left turns that hold traffic hostage i.e. pulling to the center of the street from a side street in an effort to make a left turn

5) not using headlights in the rain and snow

6) running red lights when making left turns right after the light changes

What is going on? Where are the cops to enforce the laws???

Thanks,

[oakparkdude]

#4 and #6 are common features of big city driving (especially without dedicated left-turn signals.) In some intersections, waiting politely for a clear lane and a green light means you'll be waiting for 30 minutes.

[ERS-One]

Originally Posted by advocatusdiavoli

I am used to public transportation but in Chicago driving is a must, unless you never venture outside of downtown.

Not true. It can be challenging sometimes though, for sure.

[lincolnparker]

Lincoln Park is not downtown and plenty of ppl here do not drive. Where did you get "driving in chicago is a must" from?

Originally Posted by advocatusdiavoli

I am used to public transportation but in Chicago driving is a must, unless you never venture outside of downtown. Driving in Chicago however, can be a really a frustrating experience. I am observing this for a while and it seems that some of the bad habits are so widespread they became a norm. Can someone enlighten me why is this happening?

1) not using turn signals when making turns on city streets and changing lanes on highways

2) not keeping up with traffic, it seems that most motorists here never heard of that common sense rule

3) slow driving in the left lane even though all other lanes are open

4) making left turns that hold traffic hostage i.e. pulling to the center of the street from a side street in an effort to make a left turn

5) not using headlights in the rain and snow

6) running red lights when making left turns right after the light changes

What is going on? Where are the cops to enforce the laws???

Thanks,

[i blame history]

I hardly EVER go downtown, and yet busses and the L serve me wonderfully.

Unless you're just of those who considers city limits to be "downtown."

[long101]

I think Chicago is one of the few places where driving is not a must. I do own a car but Im sure I would be fine without one, I only drive it once a week or so anyways.

[BRU67]

7) The need to drive like an f--- a--hole on Lower Wacker! What is it about that road that makes some people want to go 30 MPH over the speed limit anyway? Is it that the tunnel reminds some people of Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec or something? Jeez. Bad road to speed on because of all the blind curves and the delivery trucks which park in the right lane in the morning. They're not supposed to do it but the cops apparently let it go on.

I recently had a guy play "chicken" with one of these delivery trucks in order to get around me. I usually don't let people do this but here, honestly, if I hadn't nearly slammed on my brakes, he'd have hit the back of the truck and killed the guy unloading it and probably himself. I wanted to pull over and bash his skull in with a piece of concrete. And believe me, this was far from an uncommon occurrence. Eventually, someone is going to get hurt or killed because of this.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by BRU67

7) The need to drive like an f--- a--hole on Lower Wacker! What is it about that road that makes some people want to go 30 MPH over the speed limit anyway? Is it that the tunnel reminds some people of Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec or something? Jeez. Bad road to speed on because of all the blind curves and the delivery trucks which park in the right lane in the morning. They're not supposed to do it but the cops apparently let it go on.

I recently had a guy play "chicken" with one of these delivery trucks in order to get around me. I usually don't let people do this but here, honestly, if I hadn't nearly slammed on my brakes, he'd have hit the back of the truck and killed the guy unloading it and probably himself. I wanted to pull over and bash his skull in with a piece of concrete. And believe me, this was far from an uncommon occurrence. Eventually, someone is going to get hurt or killed because of this.

It's the fault of the Blues Brothers.

[Lookout Kid]

The OP is a troll, and should be ignored.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

It's the fault of the Blues Brothers.

LOL Maybe some of these guys could also try the jump the Illinois Nazi's made off that bridge. That wouldn't bother me one bit.