Houston/Dallas Driving vs Major East Coast Cities?

[MrJester]

Originally Posted by thebeard13

Hey OP,

I'm from Texas, and have lived in Houston, Austin, and Dallas. I've also lived in Long Beach, and currently live in the DC area. So I'll give you my perspective.

In Texas, driving styles depend on where you are. Houston has by far the fastest and most aggressive drivers in the state. I grew up driving there, and am admittedly a fairly aggressive, no nonsense, get-the-hell-out-of-the-left-lane-when-not-passing type of driver. So keep this in mind.

Dallas driving is not as hectic as Houston driving in my opinion. People tend to drive slower and there seems to be less overall foolishness on the road.

Austin driving sucked for me for a variety of reasons. 1) Terrible traffic, worse than Houston or Dallas in my view and 2) Terrible drivers who don't understand to stay out of the passing lane or even worse, block it on purpose. This was the first place I'd experienced that.

Southern California I enjoyed as a driver. The people drive fast, but not as unpredictably as in Houston, and they stay out of the left lane. Definitely my favorite place as a driver.

The DC area I have not enjoyed as a driver. The people in Virginia are terrified of the cops, the people in Maryland are terrified of the speed cameras, and the people in DC are terrified of going above 50 since you really can't in DC proper. There are also lots of obviously inexperienced drivers in the region as well, and they are the worst. To add to that, I've never seen so many obviously distracted drivers as in the DC area. It's far from uncommon for a two lane interstate (such as I-66) to be blocked by some fool going 40 mph while texting in the left lane, oblivious (or perhaps not) to the wall of traffic behind him. I've been rear ended three times by distracted drivers here in four years, after never having had that happen in my life before.

I'm not sure where you live on the east coast but I'd imagine that you would find Texas an easier or harder place to drive based on your personal driving style. If you're a "wolf" you'll probably like driving in Texas. If you're a "lamb" probably not so much, particularly in Houston. I think driving in Texas can be intimidating sometimes for those who aren't confident and assertive drivers.

Hope this helps.

But Las Vegas takes the cake when it comes to aggressive driving.

[MarshaBrady1968]

I can only compare to Boston, which has very similar drivers/aggressiveness to Texas

[ragnarkar]

Originally Posted by MarshaBrady1968

I can only compare to Boston, which has very similar drivers/aggressiveness to Texas

Sure, maybe the urban areas of Texas. West Texas is far more laid back, no way Abilene drivers rival Boston.

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

Originally Posted by RMFW

Austin drivers were the most surprising to me. They are down right spiteful when they drive. For all of the reputation Austin has for being full of laid back people, all of that goes right out of the window as soon as they get behind the wheel. I've been cutoff and flipped off there with more regularity than in any other Texas city. .

That's surprising to hear about Austin drivers. That's not been my experience at all. Could it be you just made some driving mistakes that mighta caused a bad wreck and for a couple of seconds it scared some poor driver half out of his wits and it pi$$ed him off and that's why you got flipped off?

Austin drivers are among the most courteous drivers in the nation. Austin drivers are really good about signaling before changing lanes, letting others vehicles pull out in front if them. Austin drivers are the best at co-operating with other drivers by not blocking the box during red lights, etc. Austin drivers for the most part really do "drive friendly" and have good manners about it. It's part of the overall Austin culture, being friendly, respectful and polite. It extends to the roadways.