Teen driving thru for 1st time (Atlanta: live, dangerous, license)

[hlsess]

My Daughter (almost) 18 will be driving thru ATL via 20 East to go to NC needs to either take 285 or 85/75N- she has ridden with me ALOT and knows the way but I am still VERY nervous- she will be coming on a Friday 5/28-leaving here(Birmingham) in morning- so she will hit ATL around lunchtime probably- do you think she should take 285N or 75/85 N? I know most of you in ATL teach your teens on interstate- My D drives on interstate several times a week but nothing like the traffic over there- please give me any tips -THanks

[netdragon]

Just head straight into Atlanta on I-20 and take 75/85 to 85. Going from 9 to 2 o'clock on 285 is never faster in normal conditions (whether rush hour or lunch) and is usually more dangerous. More people work outside the city than live and/or work inside the city. Traffic on 285 is horrendous.

The only tricky part is when she's on the downtown connector heading from I-20 to I-85. She needs to get over to the leftmost three lanes to take 85 (which is counter-intuitive, but how it is)

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for any bad luck when driving through metro Atlanta.

[sjuraud]

Agree with netdragon. Lunchtime she should be ok. The downtown connector is really about the only pain for that drive anyhow. It should definitely be smooth sailing after the 75/85 split (unless there is a wreck, knock on wood). She'll definitely want to remember that 85 splits to the left, even though 85 geographically ends up heading eastward.

[hlsess]

thanks- I plan to remind her of the split-she should be fine-the other tricky part is the exit off I-20- you need to be in right lane but not the far right b/c it goes to 85/75 South-isn't that correct?

[PKCorey]

Correct. 3 lanes. 2 for north and 1 for south.

[hlsess]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

Correct. 3 lanes. 2 for north and 1 for south.

Thanks again!!

[gogoMom]

You may want to consider getting your daughter a "Caution-Newly Licensed" car magnet. Originally offered for teens with "permits" and first year drivers- it's also been very helpful for older teens driving in more difficult situations- like highways. The magnet alerts other dirvers to give a wider space cushion and helps with changing lanes as well. Alot of my friends have used them for highway driving lessons. You can get them on the internet.Good luck- it's scary for all of us.

[cityrover]

Experience is the only thing that can teach you, and paying attention.

Remember, that if people pull what you think are weird moves, its best to not do anything. They know where you are and if you move, you might actually run into them.

Its one of these things you get a feel for as you drive for a while.

ive only seen 1 new licensed sticker ever.. ignore it like those baby on board stickers, w the president stickers, obama 2008 stickers, jesus fish stickers and the blue line stickers.

nobody cares! do you want people to zoom on you to read your stickers? "hey he is tailgating me" ... "sorry hun, just trying to see what your sticker says.. im bored"

you know.. keep it simple!

[hlsess]

Originally Posted by gogoMom

You may want to consider getting your daughter a "Caution-Newly Licensed" car magnet. Originally offered for teens with "permits" and first year drivers- it's also been very helpful for older teens driving in more difficult situations- like highways. The magnet alerts other dirvers to give a wider space cushion and helps with changing lanes as well. Alot of my friends have used them for highway driving lessons. You can get them on the internet.Good luck- it's scary for all of us.

My daughter would be humiliated if I made her put that on her car- she 's had her license almost 2 years now so she isn't a new driver anymore- v

[pinetreelover]

I agree with the directions that you received (other than the new driver sticker!), but you might want to go over the other route (285) with her as well just in case there is some traffic disaster on the 75/85. If she listens to the radio she should get plenty of notice to make a direction switch.