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I live in downtown Brooklyn and recently obtained a great position in Melville LI. Opposed to what many people think my drive there is only about 40 minutes. Living in Clinton Hill, I am 5 blocks away from the BQE, about 2 miles on that I switch to the I495 Long Island Expressway. Once on that I simply stay on (also Im doing a reverse commute and so far I have had zero traffic holdups going East in the morning and even West in the evening).
The problem I have is those damn trucks and speeding cars! Everyone is flying at 100 mph!!!! Me and my little MINI Cooper are terrified! And get this, even going at 65 is too slow for these people! A big monster truck tailgated me and almost blew my head off with his horn because at 65 mph, well that was just too slow for him! Even when I stay in the right lane I still get hassled by these speed freaks!
I need an alternative way to get to work and Im considering the LIRR from Flatbush avenue, I simply cant take the LIE. I am also looking at other alternative routes. But any advice from you LI folks on how to overcome this fear?? The LIE/BQE is still the fastest option for me. Any alt route suggestions are good too, thanks!
There won't be any cars speeding during rush hour. It will be a very easy commute. I could drive on the LIE with my eyes closed. I love it.
In 20 years of living on LI, I never drove on any major highway. Scares me to death. I took secondary roads, i.e., Rte 25, 110., etc. I used to drive from Smithtown to Freeport twice a week to take my daughter to hockey, and always took side roads.
In 20 years of living on LI, I never drove on any major highway. Scares me to death. I took secondary roads, i.e., Rte 25, 110., etc. I used to drive from Smithtown to Freeport twice a week to take my daughter to hockey, and always took side roads.
Wow, really? That must have taken forever! Yeah, the LIE is crazy, but the other parkways are generally fine. The LIE is an interstate too...so that's part of the reason.
In 20 years of living on LI, I never drove on any major highway. Scares me to death. I took secondary roads, i.e., Rte 25, 110., etc. I used to drive from Smithtown to Freeport twice a week to take my daughter to hockey, and always took side roads.
Ah yes, because Jericho and Route 110 are so much better
Terrified of the Long Island Expwy-Part 2: A word of thanks!
Hello All, I came back from work today to see many posts on my thread entitled "Terrified of the Long Island Expressway" ( http://www.city-data.com/forum/long-...xpressway.html ) . I want to thank each and everyone of you that responded with the great advice, tips, comments and observations. Moderator cut: comment
I took the LIRR today and it was fabulous. The Ronkonkama train was warm, clean and I even got into a pleasant chat with a lady during the ride. The Firm coach bus was waiting right at the entrance and I got to work safely. Coming home was equally pleasant. It was snowing today so it was a good excuse to provide my new boss for taking the train in. She has informed me that during any kind of bad weather I can utilize the LIRR which gets me in about 15 minutes later. So that was a load off my mind. The whole ride from myn door in Brooklyn to stepping into the job takes about 1 hour and a half. I thik the extra time is worth it plus I get to sleep/chat on the train.
On the driving tip I think I'm going take some peoples suggestions (and yours too LIGolf) and try out the GSP/Northern Parkway route to see if its less stressful. I really dont mind the speed that much as I do the truckers. The LIE is definitely for the more bolder driver, and after 15 years of not having to drive, I need more practice before I can roll on it confidently.
Thanks again all!
Last edited by Keeper; 01-29-2010 at 04:52 AM..
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" Charleston South Carolina"
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I never drove on the LIE in all my 40+ years of driving on Long Island. The few times I went into Brooklyn I drove from Sunrise (I think) all the way to Atlantic Avenue through Queens & there I was finally in Brooklyn. (Of course I had to stay overnight in a motel , but still.... )
__________________ ******************
People may not recall what you said to them, but they will always remember how you made them feel .
Hello All, I came back from work today to see many posts on my thread entitled "Terrified of the Long Island Expressway" ( http://www.city-data.com/forum/long-...xpressway.html ) . I want to thank each and everyone of you that responded with the great advice, tips, comments and observations. Moderator cut: comment
I took the LIRR today and it was fabulous. The Ronkonkama train was warm, clean and I even got into a pleasant chat with a lady during the ride. The Firm coach bus was waiting right at the entrance and I got to work safely. Coming home was equally pleasant. It was snowing today so it was a good excuse to provide my new boss for taking the train in. She has informed me that during any kind of bad weather I can utilize the LIRR which gets me in about 15 minutes later. So that was a load off my mind. The whole ride from myn door in Brooklyn to stepping into the job takes about 1 hour and a half. I thik the extra time is worth it plus I get to sleep/chat on the train.
On the driving tip I think I'm going take some peoples suggestions (and yours too LIGolf) and try out the GSP/Northern Parkway route to see if its less stressful. I really dont mind the speed that much as I do the truckers. The LIE is definitely for the more bolder driver, and after 15 years of not having to drive, I need more practice before I can roll on it confidently.
Thanks again all!
I've been driving the LIE for 35-40 years now and I'm still terrified every time I drive it. However, there are times it's not all that congested (early weekend mornings for instance) and it's actually the fastest way to get to Brooklyn or out east from where I live (western Suffolk county). It's also the best road to use in snow emergencies - meaning it gets more attention than any other road in Nassau/Suffolk. If you have another passenger, use the HOV lane and avoid the trucks ! good luck...
Me also .. especially around Elmont/Baldwin at 10-11pm .. those crazy motorcycles buzzing by at 120 mph on those curves. I will never get used to that.
As long as you are driving 55 mph in the right hand land, you shouldn't be getting too many angry responses. However, I can't relate because I confess to leading in the indy 500. When I get stuck behind a mini-cooper doing 50 mph, I have to reason that person by rights can do it without risking their life. I just go around them without gesturing or anything. Doing 55 in the left lane is another story. Why is it that a person will not go around someone going too slow but will instead bug them to go faster (unless in the left lane)? Is it that hard to change lanes?
Here's an interesting fact that relates to fast driving. It has been said that the earth has increased its speed by a small amouint. This, in turn, results in faster driving in an attempt to be at one with the earth. Ok, so I made the 2nd part up.
Last edited by newyawka; 01-28-2010 at 09:36 PM..
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Terrified of the Long Island Expwy-Part 2: A word of thanks!
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