[sliver203]

Now I know this is generalizing a bit too much, but spending a large amount of time on the highways the past few days, I've noticed that many people simply cannot drive correctly. Some things I noticed -

*On I-95 in Madison, I was going just under 75mph in the left lane and cars (mostly with CT plates, 1 was a Mass plate) were flashing their high beams, tailgating and one person flipped me the finger when I moved over. Sorry but when I'm going 20mph over the limit, nobody has a right to get on my tail and blind me with their lights.

*On Route 8 in Shelton cars travel in upwards of 95mph.

*On city streets in Danbury, driving is HORRENDOUS. Cars cutting out, stopping for no reason, I was cut off by a police officer in an SUV who ran a yield sign. He then took off after I skidded sideways to avoid him. I am currently in the process of filing a complaint against this officer.

*In West Hartford, I watched an accident happen in the center of town. A woman in an SUV was backing out of her spot and the car approaching her from behind saw her but refused to stop. They had a fender bender.

Now I know these all sound minor, but it's the stuff we all have to deal with daily. I don't know if it's illegal immigrants who drive like this (Danbury) or if it's a severe lack of drivers education.

A list was recently released where Connecticut ranked 7th worst drivers in the nation, 1-6 being Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, California, Maryland and Massachusetts.

In Charlotte, people don't drive with the mentality of "me first". It's always "you first" which creates major backups. I don't know which is worse!!!!

Why are drivers in CT so bad? Anyone care to give their opinion?

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by sliver203

*On I-95 in Madison, I was going just under 75mph in the left lane and cars (mostly with CT plates, 1 was a MA plate) were flashing their high beams, tailgating and one person flipped me the finger when I moved over. Sorry but when I'm going 20mph over the limit, nobody has a right to get on my tail and blind me with their lights.

Most people won't agree with you on this one...you were in the left lane after all.

[deebee30]

I could not agree with you MORE!! I have been waiting for someone to acknowledge this!! People in other states don't believe me when I tell them. I was searching the net for a good dentist in Connecticut and stumbled on this thread - I am now a member of this site just because I wanted to respond to this post so badly!

I have been living in the Bristol area for a year now and I commute to Stamford everyday taking Rte 8 and 95 or the merritt (thank you for your sympathy). I have lived in 4 major cities, including NYC, and have NEVER experienced the type of rude, aggressive and just BAD driving that I have here. Its horrible!! Speeding up to keep people from merging onto the freeway, tailgating at 90 mph (I had never seen some of the bumper to bumper tailgating that you see here), weaving in and out of heavy commuter traffic like a maniac. Insanity!

You asked for an opinion on why they're bad and I have no idea! I think that certain types of people drive that way. Impatient, aggressive types. We all get road rage sometimes and I am no innocent on the road myself - I usually drive around 75-80 and will go around slow people all the time. But if traffic is just generally slow and tight I just chill out and go with the flow. Thats the only way the traffic will lighten!! Sometimes its the younger drivers that drive that way - but during the morning and afternoon commutes its there are all types. I would say that a majority of people on the roads are fine - its just that 15-20% that ruins everything!!

Anyway, I just had to weigh in on this because when I say it to life long Connecticut residents they don't agree. Relax everyone - we'll all get where we're going!

[cyan29]

Well...I think CT drivers are much better than NJ drivers! I'm a New Yorker and that's my neutral opinion. Also, I have to say that one of my pet peeves is slow drivers in the left lane. 75 MPH although 20 over the speed limit feels pretty slow and there's nothing worse than being stuck on I-95 (or any other interstate) behind someone moving that slow. That's what the middle and right lanes are for. I don't get why people do that. It just aggrevates the driving situation. It causes a situation where you have other vehicles trying to get by and passing other vehicles in the middle and right lanes to cut back over into the left lane. There are so many instances where I see like 10 cars cut a slow driver in the left lane and they still don't move over!

Just stick with the outer lanes and/or move over and allow other vehicles to pass when you drive in the left lane and I think your driving experience will be a little better.

[jadedSOUL83]

Cannot agree with you here. Having lived in Ct for over 20 years, Michigan, and now Charlotte, NC I think CT drivers are very skilled. That is not to say that they are not aggressive and fast paced, but that is not what causes accidents, its having different types of drivers and drivers with different mentalities that cause accidents. In Charlotte, city driving is far worse than CT, and highway driving is getting to be just as bad with 18 wheelers cutting you off constantly and not as many people move over from the left lane as you come from behind as they used to.

Many people in CT dont wait for things to happen, they often take control of the situation which is a good thing. Its indecision that often causes accidents b/c people are waiting for someone to do something, instead of just taking a leading role. I'll take that over people always questioning every move any day.

Theres so many times where just a few seconds delay would allow you to see something or not see something happening, that I dont think you can generalize so much. I see tons of bad driving everywhere I go. Just be thankful that you dont consider yourself one of them.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by sliver203

Now I know this is generalizing a bit too much, but spending a large amount of time on the highways the past few days, I've noticed that many people simply cannot drive correctly. Some things I noticed -

*On I-95 in Madison, I was going just under 75mph in the left lane and cars (mostly with CT plates, 1 was a Mass plate) were flashing their high beams, tailgating and one person flipped me the finger when I moved over. Sorry but when I'm going 20mph over the limit, nobody has a right to get on my tail and blind me with their lights.

*On Route 8 in Shelton cars travel in upwards of 95mph.

*On city streets in Danbury, driving is HORRENDOUS. Cars cutting out, stopping for no reason, I was cut off by a police officer in an SUV who ran a yield sign. He then took off after I skidded sideways to avoid him. I am currently in the process of filing a complaint against this officer.

*In West Hartford, I watched an accident happen in the center of town. A woman in an SUV was backing out of her spot and the car approaching her from behind saw her but refused to stop. They had a fender bender.

Now I know these all sound minor, but it's the stuff we all have to deal with daily. I don't know if it's illegal immigrants who drive like this (Danbury) or if it's a severe lack of drivers education.

A list was recently released where Connecticut ranked 7th worst drivers in the nation, 1-6 being Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, California, Maryland and Massachusetts.

In Charlotte, people don't drive with the mentality of "me first". It's always "you first" which creates major backups. I don't know which is worse!!!!

Why are drivers in CT so bad? Anyone care to give their opinion?

LOL@ the "you first" thing...totally. I used to get so much road rage in the South I'm surprised I never shot anyone. LOL

I have noticed a bit too much agression over the years by a minority of drivers.

To answer your line items:

1. So long as you were not able to get in the right lane, and were not causing some form of backup with cars stacked up like rail road cars behind you and you were the locomotive...I agree with you. While the left lane is NOT a traveling lane, when it's clogged and there is a car 30 feet in front of you, what else can you do. What people here expect (And rightfully so really) is when a flash to pass is made, you make a resonable effort to let them pass you in the passing lane. As for how fast YOU think someone should drive...right, wrong or indifferent - it's not your place to be the "cop". That's one of the first things you are taught by the CT DMV...don't be a hero, just move over and let the idiot go by.

2. See above.

3. The cop may have been going to a call of some sort...you don't know. Just because lights and siren are not blaring, doesn't mean they are not enroute. BUT I have seen cops be major violators too...and it's wrong.

4. was probably on a cell phone or looking to see how long the line was at the Elbow Room. LOL

I'd rather "step on it" than "slam on the breaks and almost kill 45 people to let someone merg on the highway" ala Charlotte etc

BUT I do agree with the mentality of being frustrated when you are in say the left or middle lane, put on your signal and the person in the further right lane hammers the gas. OR you pull into the left lane to pass a car going say 70mph in the middle, and then THEY speed up to 85mph and you end up in a drag race to get ahead or brake and slide back behind and they adjust their speed back to 70mph! LOL

[wanderintonc]

I think part of the things you noticed, the city driving habits, is because so many of our old cities have narrow crowded streets. West Hartford center, which you mentioned above, is so freaking narrow and crowded-it's hair raising in my opinion. Danbury is probably similar.

I generally handle 91 ok, but I really hate driving on 95-so many aggressive drivers on there, and look at that horrible accident the other day. I always let the speed freaks pass me-screw them, I'm hoping to get there ALIVE.

I think CT driving is generally better than NY or NJ driving (I am speaking in generalities) but I can't speak to Charlotte, not having been there.

[glxyman21]

isn't I-95 east of New Haven only 2 lanes (except parts of New London/Groton)? which technically there is no "fast/passing" lane as there is a merge and then travel lane. 95 east of New Haven was not meant to handle the amount of traffic that it sees on it. Its probably more than double what the original design was for. Connecticut has a high population density in general than other states so it may contribute to the "me first" attitude and aggressiveness. I hate when people block traffic intersections as the light is turning red just to get ahead and then no one from the other lanes can move

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by sliver203

*On I-95 in Madison, I was going just under 75mph in the left lane and cars (mostly with CT plates, 1 was a Mass plate) were flashing their high beams, tailgating and one person flipped me the finger when I moved over. Sorry but when I'm going 20mph over the limit, nobody has a right to get on my tail and blind me with their lights.

I agree that CT drivers are too aggressive. But on this point you are in the wrong. You are obliged to yield to people in the left lane who want to pass you. The speed limit does not factor into this.

[davfar]

I can't stand the fact that during rush hour I try and keep atleast a car's length before me and people STILL just move right in...without signals...so frustrating!!