Nice driving today! (Dallas, Plano, Atlanta: transplants, daycares, house)

[GoPadge]

Right now I'm driving quite a bit in my commute, (70 miles one way), and I must say that I've seen my share of outright stupid driving in the mornings. People tailgating, cutting across multiple lanes, shoehorning their 16' Accords into the 20' gap between to semi trucks and then slamming on the breaks, bringing 4 lanes of I-35E to a standstill to rubberneck an accident on the other side, etc.

But I will say that today, with the off and on rain, I saw only two total idiots on the road. Everyone else had slowed down, they were leaving extra space between vehicles, using their indicators to change lanes, and letting people in who were signaling. It was a beautiful thing to see.

[stargazer]

That is one thing about Texas, people do drive aggressive here. I did like that about Florida, people drove slower and there was not many wrecks like I see. Not say it was perfect there, we witnessed a few drunk drivers off our road( we lived on a hard road as I would put it, unforgiving if you wrecked)I passed a fatality a few weeks ago out of Fairfield. They had the body covered up with a few white sheets. The fireman and police just stood around the body shaking their heads. You could tell the truck rolled. It had rained that day and people like to go faster than they should in the rain. Were not use to it for sure. That wreck reminded me to be careful out in the rain. Texans aren't use to it.

[bdlee73]

Stargazer- you must live in a special place in Florida! I used to live in Orlando and witness drivers (usually tourists) backing up on the highway because they missed the off ramp, driving down the road with maps completely unfolded (not sure how they could see), and the occasional u turn across the freeway median. The slow drovers are usually going too slow. My favorite is the "blue hair" in a '85 El Dorado with Jersey plates going 45 mph down the interstate.

Around Dallas, I don't see how people can drive fast as the highways are always gridlocked- at least most of the time.

[LastDallasNative]

Most people in Dallas are not from Dallas. They are transplants from everywhere, but mostly the East and West Coasts.

[GoPadge]

The worst drivers I've seen were in Atlanta Metro. Ignore those 55 mph signs on I-20, the corridor (I-75/I-85) or GA400, if you're not going 80 you're going to get run over. I've seen gridlocked traffic at 9:30PM in Marietta on I-75*, with no accidents. I've seen police chases headed the wrong way on I-75 down by Hartsfield. Turnsignals are only used by visitors, as the locals won't let you over. The locals just cut over when they see a bit of light between two cars. The highway department once left an estimated 50,000+ people sitting in gridlock on I-85 in Gwinnette county for over 6 hours after road crews hit a gas main. (They didn't want to effect gas service to 10,000 residents. Did you know most daycares charge by the minute after 6pm?) It once took me two hours to go from Peachtree Industrial in Gwinnett county near I-85, across I-285 and up I-75 to Kennesaw. (About 30 miles.)

* In Marietta, Northbound I-75 is 9 lanes wide.

[Dorothy1960]

YIKES 70 miles one way?!? I hope that you are moving much closer to your work. How long does that take you?

I drive about 30-33 miles (depending on which way I go) and it takes minimum 1 hour, up to about 2 and 1/2. I work in Old Town Alexandria. My hubby drives about the same distance... takes him an hour and 15 minimum, to 2 hours. He leaves the house no later than 5:30 AM every day.

A commute like yours can't be the usual commute in Dallas?!?? Can it?? I thought us Virginians were they only ones doing that insane thing. (And we're hoping to NOT be doing that commute soon!!)

[GoPadge]

Originally Posted by Dorothy1960

YIKES 70 miles one way?!? I hope that you are moving much closer to your work. How long does that take you?

Heh. Yes. 70 miles one way. For the past two years I was working out of my home, doing remote help desk work for a company out of northern Massachusetts. I changed jobs this summer, (for the $$$), and am in the process of moving. I'm driving from Milford, TX to Plano, TX. My average commute is between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 and 1/2 hours.

Originally Posted by Dorothy1960

I drive about 30-33 miles (depending on which way I go) and it takes minimum 1 hour, up to about 2 and 1/2. I work in Old Town Alexandria. My hubby drives about the same distance... takes him an hour and 15 minimum, to 2 hours. He leaves the house no later than 5:30 AM every day.

A commute like yours can't be the usual commute in Dallas?!?? Can it?? I thought us Virginians were they only ones doing that insane thing. (And we're hoping to NOT be doing that commute soon!!)

Once I get moved, I'll be less than four miles from the office. YAY! Until then the wife, 4 kids, 2 cats, the dog and I are sharing a 31' travel trailer. (But that's another story.)

[Dorothy1960]

Originally Posted by GoPadge

Until then the wife, 4 kids, 2 cats, the dog and I are sharing a 31' travel trailer. (But that's another story.)

Hope that your moving day is coming soon, and that all goes smoothly!