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I don't generally like to post negative things about the area but lately I've encountered a LOT of bad drivers. I commute from North Raleigh to the RTP every day and it seems as though drivers on 540 and 40 are either super aggressive because apparently it's a race to get from one place to another or else they're super lazy and can't be bothered to signal or check their blind spot before merging.
I'm a fairly courteous driver and I let people in front of me as often as I can. Yet this is not a common trait with drivers around here (anymore). When people see me signaling to get over they speed up to either block me or to get ahead of me so I'm not "in their way". I don't drive slow at all (though I try not to break any sound barriers) and people still get right up on my ass even when there's hardly any other traffic and they can easily get around me if they're in such a hurry.
It's sort of like the internet in a way. There's a level of anonymity because drivers don't have to directly interact with each other by talking, etc so it becomes this free-for-all where you can be as rude as you want. And I'm not asking for much, I just don't want my life jeopardized because some other driver doesn't realize how dangerous he's being. I'm just saying, we all have to get places, let's not be *******s to each other in the process.
Well said!!! My experience is exactly the same...I am sick and tired of crazy, careless dangerous drivers risking MY life to save a few seconds. If they'd only looked ahead they'd see that rushing serves no use when cars are bumper to bumper and going less than the speed limit.
I don't generally like to post negative things about the area but lately I've encountered a LOT of bad drivers. I commute from North Raleigh to the RTP every day and it seems as though drivers on 540 and 40 are either super aggressive because apparently it's a race to get from one place to another or else they're super lazy and can't be bothered to signal or check their blind spot before merging.
I'm a fairly courteous driver and I let people in front of me as often as I can. Yet this is not a common trait with drivers around here (anymore). When people see me signaling to get over they speed up to either block me or to get ahead of me so I'm not "in their way". I don't drive slow at all (though I try not to break any sound barriers) and people still get right up on my ass even when there's hardly any other traffic and they can easily get around me if they're in such a hurry.
It's sort of like the internet in a way. There's a level of anonymity because drivers don't have to directly interact with each other by talking, etc so it becomes this free-for-all where you can be as rude as you want. And I'm not asking for much, I just don't want my life jeopardized because some other driver doesn't realize how dangerous he's being. I'm just saying, we all have to get places, let's not be *******s to each other in the process.
^^ That is why you carry a gun, so you can shoot ppl's tires out.
I agree, I wouldn't rush to blame it on the transplants. There are a lot of natives who are still used to having lots of room on the roads. And road rage is such a rampant issue that isn't specific to any one group. : / It's simply a matter of everyone needing to drive more carefully and adjust to the volume of traffic in your immediate vicinity. Which really isn't asking much!
We all need to be more tolerant of each other and follow the rules of the road - don't hog the left lane, use turn signals, merge PROPERLY - don't panic and hit the breaks on the off ramp! Ease into traffic..if you see car coming and you want to merge off a ramp, plan to go behind them, don't race to get in front as you are cutting them off and might cause an accident. As for I-40 from Raleigh to Durham...be considerate of other drivers and focus on driving - not driving someone off the road if they are in your way!
I had a former colleague who used to call i-40 the 'Deathway". Sadly, this is how he died. He was hit head on by a work truck coming the opposit direction going too fast for conditions. I am not even sure the driver who hit him had a license. Anyhow he's now in jail for manslaughter and my former colleague's son misses his dad.
So when you hog the left lane, drive aggressively, and cut people off and are reading or texting, ask yourself, are you prepared if you kill someone today with your careless driving???? Wouldn't you rather be going to work late than to prison for the rest of your life???
The root of the problem is evident here. NO ONE thinks they are a bad driver. Most people think "if everyone drove like me". People who eat, text, talk on cell, put on makeup, fiddle with their ipad, or whatever distraction of the month is, think they are driving ok! Its always the other guy.
Everyone who posted has been careless or reckless driving at one time or another. But they only point out others bad driving habits. Its human nature or something. I have had people tell me they were better drivers on a few beers.
Looking out the window of the car is a distraction in itself. But you gotta do that!! But ever look into your mirror for a sec and drift into the other lane alittle?
We are all alittle guilty. Im not excusing the terrible drivers. There are way too many drivers who dont know the "rules of the road" and act like they are the only ones who matter.
The problem is hard to fight with law enforsement. Everytime ya see a cop, everyone is on their best behavior. Its easier for the cops to sit on the side of the road and get speeders.
I know I am not a great driver, not bad, just not a model driver. I am easily distracted by the sights and sounds of the world. I have to focus extra hard to not look at the scenery! lol So my wife does most of the driving. lol
Here in the Triangle, there seems to be a few "racetrack" zones. Where its go as fast as you can, switch lanes alot and screw the other drivers. West I40 and Wade merge to the I40 Durham Freeway is one. Most of 540, and the 40/440 merges heading east/south is also a free for all.
Capital Blvd reminds me of Rt 22 in Union NJ which I was always told was the most dangerous road in NJ.
Throw a cell phone, texter or makeup artist into the mix and it gets downright dangerous.
But everyone of them would swear they hardly ever do it and that they are good drivers.....
Although my vision corrects to 20/20 with glasses, my depth perception is not very good. This is a brain problem and my eye doctor can't help.
Used to be able to use Interstates allowing more space to be sure lane changes and merges were safe. Now, with the aggressive drivers out there, must stay on local streets. If i try to enter an Interstate and must be sure I can get in, the drivers behind me flash, honk, and give me the NJ state finger bird.
Since there's no good mass transit, must now miss things like events at the DPAC and trips to the zoo, etc.
Wish people were a bit more understanding of those with limitations and folks just unsure where they were trying to go on unfamiliar roads.
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