Driving in Baltimore (Catonsville: best city, insurance, construction)

[debold4215]

I live on the southwestern side of Baltimore City and drive in the area regularly. Almost daily I come very close to having an accident, sometimes avoiding a serious one. Individuals pass me at high rates of speed in the turn lane, run red lights and stop signs, open their car doors into the traffic lane and stop in traffic to have lengthy conversations with pedestrians walking on the sidewalk. This winter I saw a first. When it snowed individuals pulled into the street blocking traffic while they shoveled out their parking place without any regard for others stuck behind their car. Drivers frequently made u turns even if meant cars going in the opposite direction had to stop for them. I saw one women do a u turn on a bridge in Catonsville halting traffic in both directions. Still another stopped in traffic at a green light blocking her lane and forcing others to cross the yellow line into on coming traffic, even after the light changed multiple times. People were blowing their horns yelling at her but she didn't pay them any mind what so ever. I don't know how to interpret people's mentality who drive like this. Are they just ignorant, stupid, narcissistic, bad drivers or what ? I happened to take a look at the automobile accident rate in Baltimore City and it was a real eye opener. In a study conducted by Allstate Insurance Company it ranked Baltimore as almost the worst possible city to drive in. Allstate studied 200 cities in the US and ranked them from the best city to drive in a "1" and the worst a "200". Baltimore was "195", making it one of the cities you are most likely to have an accident in. When take into account that we also have one of the highest homicide rates, what does that say about the residents in Baltimore City ?

[santafe400]

I don't know how to interpret people's mentality who drive like this. Are they just ignorant, stupid, narcissistic, bad drivers or what ?

I'm not sure what it is myself. For sometime I thought the city was plagued with the bulk of the areas rude/aggressive drivers, but the wealth has seemed to spread over to the surrounding counties over the last decade or so, especially during rush hour. Despite what some people might think, or what someone drives, 99.5% of commuters do not hold positions that in the grand scheme of things are all that important. From personal observation, I find the bulk of aggressive drivers to be in middle class areas mostly in Howard and AA counties. Drivers in the city tend to be more urban aggressive which sort of goes with the territory. However, most Baltimore drivers are not as road savvy as say those in Manhattan.

[Patz0709]

Ditto that Howard County comment. US 29 at 4 pm is the most dangerous collection of MeFirst egos with amateur skills and top dollar equipment since the North Korean space program.

[choccity]

Originally Posted by debold4215

I live on the southwestern side of Baltimore City and drive in the area regularly. Almost daily I come very close to having an accident, sometimes avoiding a serious one. Individuals pass me at high rates of speed in the turn lane, run red lights and stop signs, open their car doors into the traffic lane and stop in traffic to have lengthy conversations with pedestrians walking on the sidewalk. This winter I saw a first. When it snowed individuals pulled into the street blocking traffic while they shoveled out their parking place without any regard for others stuck behind their car. Drivers frequently made u turns even if meant cars going in the opposite direction had to stop for them. I saw one women do a u turn on a bridge in Catonsville halting traffic in both directions. Still another stopped in traffic at a green light blocking her lane and forcing others to cross the yellow line into on coming traffic, even after the light changed multiple times. People were blowing their horns yelling at her but she didn't pay them any mind what so ever. I don't know how to interpret people's mentality who drive like this. Are they just ignorant, stupid, narcissistic, bad drivers or what ? I happened to take a look at the automobile accident rate in Baltimore City and it was a real eye opener. In a study conducted by Allstate Insurance Company it ranked Baltimore as almost the worst possible city to drive in. Allstate studied 200 cities in the US and ranked them from the best city to drive in a "1" and the worst a "200". Baltimore was "195", making it one of the cities you are most likely to have an accident in. When take into account that we also have one of the highest homicide rates, what does that say about the residents in Baltimore City ?

I've been saying this for years, Baltimore has the worst drivers ever and the worst traffic flow, too long lights, I could go on but you get the picture.

[designer_genes]

I'm from New Jersey originally and resent when people here laugh about the NJ drivers stereotype. The driving here is far worse than anything I ever encountered in Jersey, believe me.

[P47P47]

Originally Posted by Patz0709

Ditto that Howard County comment. US 29 at 4 pm is the most dangerous collection of MeFirst egos with amateur skills and top dollar equipment since the North Korean space program.

Totally true.

[LSone]

Is it true that in some highly, drug infested areas at night....you shouldn't stop at red lights but just treat them as a blinking red light and roll through them slowly?

[BMoreJuice]

Last week I was driving on 895 when four cars were exiting on my right. The car in the front hit an orange construction cone which rolled back into traffic after the front car hit it and kept driving. The second car slammed its breaks and created a bumper car fiasco. I couldn't believe it... as the first car drove off like nothing happened. At the same time, maybe this is why we shouldn't ride people's bumpers in the first place?

I have never seen driving like this in my life. D.C driving is not as ignorant and self absorbed like Baltimore. People drive 30 mph over city street speeding limits, cut you off without blinkers to zig zag around another car that's only going 10 mph over. Drivers going through yellow bus stop stop signs when kids are around. No cares are given for emergency personnel that need to get by. Drivers never let voluntarily let you in If your behind a bus or double parked car so you sit their for 2 minutes. Finally a break in the traffic but the car behind you selfishly goes before you... Rude!! I have almost gotten hit numerous times, including just recently someone went straight through a green turn light and almost hit me when I had the other left green turn!! This is not some sort of mystery or lack of money in education. It's plain ignorance, selfishness, and lack of respect and integrity of the driving laws. Then if they get pulled over for violating any of these traffic laws, 'its racism and police brutality!!" Driving through North Baltimore is much more pleasant and less chaotic that the rest of the city. I feel that my life is at risk behind the wheel so someone can get in front of me at a red light. Unbelievable.

Until next time... end rant/

[santafe400]

Last week I was driving on 895 when four cars were exiting on my right. The car in the front hit an orange construction cone which rolled back into traffic after the front car hit it and kept driving. The second car slammed its breaks and created a bumper car fiasco. I couldn't believe it... as the first car drove off like nothing happened. At the same time, maybe this is why we shouldn't ride people's bumpers in the first place?

I have never seen driving like this in my life. D.C driving is not as ignorant and self absorbed like Baltimore. People drive 30 mph over city street speeding limits, cut you off without blinkers to zig zag around another car that's only going 10 mph over. Drivers going through yellow bus stop stop signs when kids are around. No cares are given for emergency personnel that need to get by. Drivers never let voluntarily let you in If your behind a bus or double parked car so you sit their for 2 minutes. Finally a break in the traffic but the car behind you selfishly goes before you... Rude!! I have almost gotten hit numerous times, including just recently someone went straight through a green turn light and almost hit me when I had the other left green turn!! This is not some sort of mystery or lack of money in education. It's plain ignorance, selfishness, and lack of respect and integrity of the driving laws. Then if they get pulled over for violating any of these traffic laws, 'its racism and police brutality!!" Driving through North Baltimore is much more pleasant and less chaotic that the rest of the city. I feel that my life is at risk behind the wheel so someone can get in front of me at a red light. Unbelievable.

Until next time... end rant/

lol so true! These are the same people in traffic court who say they were running late to a puppy charity event while promising to be more mindful in the future. Usually in front of the same traffic court judge whom 8 times out of 10 is the worst/most aggressive driver on the road. For some reason out in suburbia, the soccer moms in their Dodge Caravans have a habit of driving on my bumper no matter the speed I am traveling.

[Sicilee]

Well, I just sent this entire thread to hubby and said 'see, it's not just me...'

After an accident about a year ago caused by someone else being careless/aggressive, I've become extra aware. Near misses, caused by others, nearly every day. Typically rush hour related. Some tailgating, but mostly people changing lanes and cutting people off without paying attention. It's been hard to overcome the post-accident fear. Not there yet.

I'm leaving the state -- for many reasons, but this is certainly one. I don't like feeling afraid to go anywhere. I know this can happen anywhere, but I've lived in a number of different places in different states, including urban, and this is the worst driving experience by far.

Now, having said that, driving here is not nearly as bad as driving in some european countries -- Italy/Sicily for example. There, routine driving can be a full contact sport.