Bee Cave Rd./FM 2244 - Avoid if you can (Houston: neighborhood, middle school)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We live off this road, but near mopac, so different area. I agree that Bee Cave Rd. traffic sucks. We knew that we wanted to limit the need to drive on it.
However, I will say something that may be controversial. While I am sure it doesnt apply to the OP on this thread, I think slow drivers cause a lot more problem than fast drivers...especially in rush hour. At some of the lights around Austin, the wait is excessive. And when people leave big gaps between them and the car in front of them, it really irks me. Its like holding up a line at Starbucks while you flirt with the person behind the counter. Like no one exists but you. Speed up, close the gap, move along. Everyone is looking to get home or to their job.
Same can be said at highway speed. Speed up, keep with traffic, or move over to the right. Slow drivers are more dangerous than fast (er) drivers. Of course I am not talking about doubling the speed limit or excessive speed. But it annoys me when someone drives in the left lane 55 mph in a 55mph zone. There is a natural 5-10mph over the speed limit that occurs, especially in the left lane. Get over. Get out of the way. And please, get off your cell phone at traffic lights and get moving
Just for clarification, I was in the left lane, but there was no room for me to move over. With the way that the stoplights are timed, you're almost always driving in a large clump of cars on that road. I'm rarely the only car around. It's not like I was going slow and in the way of a bunch of people. I was going over the speed limit with the flow of everyone around me. Yet, I was harassed by some idiot which has happened to me way too much on that road. I would definitely consider myself a faster driver. A nice, relaxing Saturday with a very unpleasant ending.
Also, it's a little hard to drive only in the right lane with all of the stop lights. I move over if there is someone wanting to go faster than me and there's a lot of space between me and the car in front of me, the right lane thing really is more for rural highways and FREEWAYS (which Austin does not have much of compared to other cities). I'm a good driver, and I know the rules of the road. Yet, for no reason at all, I was almost run over by a vicious woman in heavy traffic. FYI, all that weaving she was trying to do, didn't get her anywhere. She was only 2 cars ahead of me the rest of the way (tailing others) and stopped at every stoplight that I did.
Last edited by LakeTravisAlum; 05-12-2012 at 05:00 PM..
However, I will say something that may be controversial. While I am sure it doesnt apply to the OP on this thread, I think slow drivers cause a lot more problem than fast drivers...especially in rush hour. At some of the lights around Austin, the wait is excessive. And when people leave big gaps between them and the car in front of them, it really irks me. Its like holding up a line at Starbucks while you flirt with the person behind the counter. Like no one exists but you. Speed up, close the gap, move along. Everyone is looking to get home or to their job.
Same can be said at highway speed. Speed up, keep with traffic, or move over to the right. Slow drivers are more dangerous than fast (er) drivers. Of course I am not talking about doubling the speed limit or excessive speed. But it annoys me when someone drives in the left lane 55 mph in a 55mph zone. There is a natural 5-10mph over the speed limit that occurs, especially in the left lane. Get over. Get out of the way. And please, get off your cell phone at traffic lights and get moving
I agree. Close up the gaps, use the left lane for passing (& then get back to the right lane).....& use the d*mn turn indicaters.
I commute every day on this stretch of 2244. I think it is OK. People are driving fast on this stretch, as the road is wide and open. With central lane, nothing sits in the traffic to block the flow.
I always avoid the section after 360. It is so congested, and many projects are proposed to build the additional lane in the center.
Very close to my opinion. I drive Bee Caves Rd. every weekday - both directions. Biggest problem I see, especially driving west in the afternoon, is people who cannot maintain their speed up and down hills. 65 MPH downhill, 55 MPH uphill in the 60 MPH sections. Left lane of course.
I think drivers on 360 are much more aggressive. How many people run the red light at 360 and Spicewood Springs Rd?
Very close to my opinion. I drive Bee Caves Rd. every weekday - both directions. Biggest problem I see, especially driving west in the afternoon, is people who cannot maintain their speed up and down hills. 65 MPH downhill, 55 MPH uphill in the 60 MPH sections. Left lane of course.
I think drivers on 360 are much more aggressive. How many people run the red light at 360 and Spicewood Springs Rd?
Very true on maintaining the speed. I tend to stay in the right lane if it's fairly congested so as not to have to work my way back over to turn at Cuernavaca, but many days I look down and we're only doing 45 MPH! WTH!
I don't encounter the aggressive tailgating drivers on Bee Caves nearly as much as the slowpokes. But you are right, the ones on 360 are just crazy. We all end up at the light at the same time so I don't get their hurry.
The ugliness of the commute (not the distance) is one of the main factors that made us decide to buy a house up north closer to work. Now, if I can just avoid the madness of 183, I will be one happy camper! Talk about nuts - I wish I had one of those bumper stickers from the 80's - "Pray for me, I drive 183"!
I've lived a lot of years in Austin and it is only in the past few that this recklessly dangerous stuff and excessive speed has become commonplace. There actually used to be signs that said "drive friendly" and people did so I don't think it is the natives who are being so rude. I have never understood what the damn hurry is with people these days. You are going to get wherever it is you need to be eventually so quit rushing around. By the way, I stay out of the left lane since I am one of those weird people who drives the speed limit or slightly over. I am so glad we live central and I rarely have to drive the mean streets of Mopac, Bee Caves or 360.
I agree with orngkat about why., in the last several years, are people in an all fired hurry....and they aren't just staying in the left lane. I've noticed that speed freaks think the right lane is ALSO theirs. I'm not a super slow driver, I'll go the speed limit or just above, in the right lane, and still have people drive up too close and act a fool.
It's not just that stretch of road, it's all over Austin. Between the aggressive drivers and the learner's permits (even after driving 50 years, LOL) it's gotten to be a rat race. Austin didn't used to be like this. I absolutely HATE having to drive anywhere anymore. A person has to drive defensively everywhere because there are so many aggressive or stupid people out there. Add to the mix the bicyclists that don't obey traffic laws and the idiots that run out in front of cars you have a recipe for disaster even going around the block from your house.
I've lived here for 50 years and it's gotten to the point where I'm thinking of leaving Austin just for this reason alone. This traffic just isn't worth it.
My friend moved out to Hutto a few years back and said she wouldn't come back into Austin because of traffic if her life depended on it.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $53,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
