How To Drive In Lake and Cuyahoga Counties (Cleveland, Warren: safest, commute to)

[BelieveInCleve]

That was a little harsh, but I have to admit it was funny. Ive experienced pretty much everything that was on that list and Im guilty of doing a few of those myself from time to time.

After traveling to a lot of areas in the country I came to the conclusion that we are about average. I have to been to areas that drive a lot worse than us but also to places that have a lot better drivers than us. As far as the traffic it can get bad around here especially certain areas and in rush hour, but comparatively I dont think its that bad.

[OhioNative]

Originally Posted by Slash83

I agree but traffic non-existent? Have you driven on 480 during morning or evening rush hours..it's a nightmare..busiest highway in ohio I'd say.

I live in Atlanta, and just got back from a trip to Cleveland, and I can say that even 480 at its worst is really nothing compared to many places in the US. My wife and I were laughing at the traffic reports, wishing that we could have Cleveland's rush hour here in Atlanta. Traffic may not be "non-existant" in Cleveland, but it's not too bad compared to other places.

[MsVFAB]

[quote=lake_cuyahoga;4644151]

1. When the light turns green, sit there for 5 to 10 seconds.

4. If the speed limit reads 35, drive 25.

5. When in the left lane, drive the same speed as the person on the right or even slower.

6. Say nothing or write nothing to local officials about the traffic lights constantly turning red the second you roll up to it while no one else is on the road...or about the pavement looking like it's been carpet bombed by the military.
quote]

YES to all the above!

Last year, I moved back to Cleveland from the NYC area, and I could not believe how slow people drive! On the plus side, my auto insurance really took a dive with the move...

Also, I don't get people who hit their breaks at a green light...

Do they suddenly have an overwhelming urge to stop in the intersection and smell the roses?

After a year, I still think people drive slow, and usually I don't have a problem with it, unless I am on my way to work....

[MsVFAB]

Originally Posted by Cle440

That was a little harsh, but I have to admit it was funny. Ive experienced pretty much everything that was on that list and Im guilty of doing a few of those myself from time to time.

After traveling to a lot of areas in the country I came to the conclusion that we are about average. I have to been to areas that drive a lot worse than us but also to places that have a lot better drivers than us. As far as the traffic it can get bad around here especially certain areas and in rush hour, but comparatively I dont think its that bad.

Well, I have to say this...

Before I moved to the NYC area, I never wore a seatbelt...

Then I started commuting 1:15 to work (one way), on a very busy highway that terminated at the Holland Tunnel...

Now, in Cleveland, you could drive for months and never see a serious auto accident...

All of a sudden, I was driving on a highway where the average speed was 80 (65 speed limit, but very few drove as slow as 65... some drove 90)...

Anyway, I started seeing serious car accidents on a bi-weekly basis... Some so serious that people were life-flighted... So many cars that were totaled, too...

That's when I started wearing my seatbelt... I decided I really needed it there...

[BelieveInCleve]

You never wore your seat belt while you were here? Wow. I have seen many, many accidents living around Cleveland. Ive been in about 5, not while I was driving though. Also I have seen about 20 serious accidents that happened right in front of me or within 2 minutes of me getting there around Cleveland. This is not over a long period either. Greater Cleveland doesnt have the worst drivers, but I would never even think about not wearing my seat belt over here.

[MsVFAB]

Originally Posted by Cle440

You never wore your seat belt while you were here? Wow. I have seen many, many accidents living around Cleveland. Ive been in about 5, not while I was driving though. Also I have seen about 20 serious accidents that happened right in front of me or within 2 minutes of me getting there around Cleveland. This is not over a long period either. Greater Cleveland doesnt have the worst drivers, but I would never even think about not wearing my seat belt over here.

What can I say? When I left the last time, I was living in Lakewood, and working in Strongsville and Independence...

I've lived in Euclid, and worked on Brookpark Rd. in Cleveland, State Rd. in Cleveland, Beachwood, and Strongsville, all at the same time!

I've lived in Lakewood and worked in The Warehouse District and The Flats...

I've lived in Brook Park and worked all over the place (born in Brook Park)...

Perhaps you are more familiar with rush hour traffic... I rarely found myself on Cleveland highways during rush hour, as I never worked a 9-5 job... I still don't..

When I lived in LA, I lived close enough to work so I didn't even get on a highway...

When I lived outside of NYC, I would hit rush hour, at most, twice a week, and only on the way home...

[dweller]

I would say Cleveland has worse drivers than most cities. People drive much faster in other cities, so if its slow driving your looking for, Cleveland is the place for you.
However, slow driving doesn't equal less accidents. The problem here is that nobody is paying attention. The light turns green, they don't go. They drive in the left lane right next to a huge semi going 55 mph in a 65 mph zone, and they don't speed up. This place drives me absolutely nuts. Are they not looking in the rear view mirror so they don't notice the huge string of cars behind them? Do they notice, but they don't care? Really, the driving is asinine around Cleveland.

[BelieveInCleve]

Originally Posted by dweller

I would say Cleveland has worse drivers than most cities. People drive much faster in other cities, so if its slow driving your looking for, Cleveland is the place for you.
However, slow driving doesn't equal less accidents. The problem here is that nobody is paying attention. The light turns green, they don't go. They drive in the left lane right next to a huge semi going 55 mph in a 65 mph zone, and they don't speed up. This place drives me absolutely nuts. Are they not looking in the rear view mirror so they don't notice the huge string of cars behind them? Do they notice, but they don't care? Really, the driving is asinine around Cleveland.

True. Also it seems in the areas more dangerous and more prone to accidents people dont care and go even faster than normal. Which is kind of backwards thinking. People dont hesitate to go through dead-mans curve over 60 mph, which is ridiculous. I think Im going to see an accident everytime I go through there. Same thing with all the other dangerous places. Also the city people (including me) have no idea how to drive in the country and vice-versa.

[MsVFAB]

Originally Posted by dweller

I would say Cleveland has worse drivers than most cities. People drive much faster in other cities, so if its slow driving your looking for, Cleveland is the place for you.
However, slow driving doesn't equal less accidents. The problem here is that nobody is paying attention. The light turns green, they don't go. They drive in the left lane right next to a huge semi going 55 mph in a 65 mph zone, and they don't speed up. This place drives me absolutely nuts. Are they not looking in the rear view mirror so they don't notice the huge string of cars behind them? Do they notice, but they don't care? Really, the driving is asinine around Cleveland.

Slow driving... Yep! That's Cleveland! I am still not used to it after a year, and I am still passing up everyone on the freeway...

And, if honest, am still fuming at drivers who drive as if they are viewing all the scenery around them...<g>

I also agree with you re: people in the left lane driving slowly... I fume when someone decides to drive slowly in the left lane...

[WeSoHood]

You think Clevelanders are bad at driving? LOL Go to Virginia and wait until it rains - all hell breaks loose. Hell, I can name MANY cities which have horrible drivers.. Like I said before - Arlington, Alexandria, and Wash DC - worsts drivers EVER.

"THE TEN SAFEST CITIES

1. Sioux Falls, S.D. -- 14.3*
2. Fort Collins, Colo. -- 13.2
Cedar Rapids, Iowa -- 13.2
4. Huntsville, Ala. -- 12.8
5. Chattanooga, Tenn. -- 12.7
6. Knoxville, Tenn. -- 12.6
Des Moines -- 12.6
8. Milwaukee -- 12.5
9. Colorado Springs -- 12.3
Warren, Mich. -- 12.3

AND THE MOST UNSAFE

1. Newark -- 5.0
2. Washington -- 5.1
3. Elizabeth, N.J. -- 5.4
4. Alexandria, Va.-- 5.7
5. Arlington, Va. -- 6.0
6. Glendale, Calif. -- 6.1
7. Jersey City -- 6.2
8. Paterson, N.J. -- 6.5
San Francisco -- 6.5
Baltimore -- 6.5

*Years between accidents"