How Is It To Drive There? (Miami: construction, design, cities)

[CTGirlNoMore]

When I think of cities bigger than what we have here in CT (at least I assume they are bigger), I get freaked out about trying to drive around them.

New Haven is a total nightmare for me to drive in, and Hartford right behind it. IMO, that is. I KNOW there are much much worse cities to drive in, but I've luckily never had to drive in them.

So my question is, how is it to drive around Ft. Lauderdale (not necessarily right downtown), or cities right outside it? For some reason, I envision them as horrid at all times.

[housingcrashsurvivor]

Entire place is on a grid system. Easy as pie. Streets go E & W. Avenues go N & S. As soon as you learn where E & W & N & S divide, all you'll need is an address and you can get to where you're going, though you'll have to figure out how the waterways tie in to all that.

[CTGirlNoMore]

The waterways tie in?

Gah, I will somehow figure it all out. I can honestly say I've never driven in FL. Either my father does ,or my ex did, or when I visit my aunt, they do.

[StilltheSame]

The roads are fine - the signage is good - the problem is the insane and reckless drivers - dont assume any of the rules of the road apply. Visiting this weekend I have seen everything from people crossing 5 lines to get off a ramp; weve been cut off a ton - its just insane.

[CTGirlNoMore]

Originally Posted by StilltheSame

The roads are fine - the signage is good - the problem is the insane and reckless drivers - dont assume any of the rules of the road apply. Visiting this weekend I have seen everything from people crossing 5 lines to get off a ramp; weve been cut off a ton - its just insane.

Oh, I'm used to that. We have our fair share of people who make up their own rules here. Traffic lights, traffic signs? Those weren't made for these people, niether were speed limits. I have honestly never seen people as rude as I have here. Even the times I've been in NYC. So insane/reckless will never shock me. I just make sure to be careful around them

[acegolfer]

I agree the problem is with the drivers.

We have seniors driving less than the speed limit on left lanes.
We have hot headed teenagers driving speed limit + 30 miles on right lanes.

It gets worse as you get closer to Miami/Dade area.

[compelled to reply]

The roads are among the most drivable anywhere, while the drivers are among the worst anywhere. Most major streets are on a grid system, and are six wide lanes across with ample turning lanes, speed limits in the 45 range, and a small landscaped median. Signage is excellent with illuminated street-name signs at many intersections. The highways are multi-lane, speed limits around 65-70, and nicely designed with large merge lanes, although construction is about to begin on I-595. I would say the worst issue with the roads themselves is the synchronization of the traffic lights, which is horrible on most streets. The drivers, though, are atrocious. I don't really think speeding is a big issue, but you have a blend of a lot of selfish and obnoxiously slow drivers and the people who cut in and out of traffic (without signaling or checking their blind spot) to get around them. Red light running is common too, probably because of the bad synchronization issue, although you can expect to tap your horn a lot at motorists who fall asleep at the green lights.

[AliciaMaria]

Another +1 for the grid system. It's really easy once you get your North South and East West roads down. 95 is pretty simple, just avoid it during rush hour if at all possible! (7-9a and 4-6p)

You'll be fine.. and if youre afraid of the highways, you can just drive on all the regular roads instead until you feel more comfortable.

[CTGirlNoMore]

Not that I'd wanna be stuck in traffic, but I'm more "afraid" of traffic on side roads/downtown than highways.

[compelled to reply]

Rush hour traffic on 95 really isn't that bad. If there are accidents, it can suck, otherwise it moves full speed at rush hour. 595, on the other hand, should ALWAYS be avoided at those times.