I'm scared of driving in MD. (neighborhood, gated, live in)

[DCgoblue]

Originally Posted by dkf747

They have higher speed limits in Detroit.

Outside of the city yes, close in, most freeways are marked as 55 or 60, but people still go 75. Chicago can get like that too, when traffic is moving, I've been going 65 in bumper to bumper.

[filmsniffer]

Originally Posted by DCgoblue

Outside of the city yes, close in, most freeways are marked as 55 or 60, but people still go 75. Chicago can get like that too, when traffic is moving, I've been going 65 in bumper to bumper.

Speed limit in MD is 65.

People still go 75 MPH...on 95, 495, 70, and 270. No difference.

[BigDragon]

Yeah, driving in MD sucks. I don't mind the speed at all. I just do what everyone else is doing. If that means going 85 mph on I695, I70, I95, or I295 then that's what I'm going to do. I tend to always find a clearing and then adjust my speed so I stay put. The big problem is the people who don't signal, cut others off, drive slow in the left lane(s), zip across multiple lanes to hit an exit, or wait until the very end of a ramp to merge. I absolutely despise where I70 E and I695 meet since so many people run up the right lane instead of waiting in line, then cut off someone who has been waiting forever right where the I695 N ramp breaks off...then fails to alternate right of way like the signs indicate. Since I drive an SUV, I tend to notice Prius drivers like to go extra slow in front of me, which is really irritating especially in the left lane. I've also seen drivers just stop right in the middle of the highway, open their doors, and walk around all while being totally oblivious to the other cars zipping by.

Speaking of I70, what is wrong with people going I70 W right before they get to 29? People cannot seem to stay in their lanes! It's just a gentle left curve! I can't even remember all the times I've had someone on either side of me leave their lane for who knows what reason. When watching traffic reports it seems like people constantly crash there too.

What MD needs is a mandatory signaling law and a "left lane is for passing" law like PA has. I never had a problem on the Harrisburg Beltway. People there actually can drive if it's cloudy, drizzling, or snowing. Around Baltimore and DC if there's even so much of a hint of rain the I695 west side becomes a parking lot and the same goes for I495. People just can't drive, period, around Baltimore and DC. The local governments should really invest in serious mass transit like elevated magnetic trains...not this light rail crap.

I need a helicopter for getting to work!

[cpterp]

Originally Posted by jayman1981

MD drivers are great. We have what I like to say organized chaos. I think really driving in Northern VA is worse. I've got to hurry up and get my Starbucks coffee and these idiots jump into my lane with not turn signal and just driving slow in the fast lane. So upsetting.

But I like driving in Maryland, where else can you feel like a nascar driver and everyone with Maryland Tags is on one accord with this notion.

EXACTLY! Even in MD, 9 out of 10 drivers that drive 55mph in the far left seem to have VA tags. The West VA. and Penn. drivers seem to keep up that (not surprising since they have 1-2 hours commutes each way). Driving around the Beltway between Betheda and College Park is especially "fun."

A little trivia: For those who don't know why that portion of the Beltway is like an Indy Car circuit it's because the original alignment runs parallel to a winding stream.

Originally Posted by filmsniffer

Speed limit in MD is 65.

People still go 75 MPH...on 95, 495, 70, and 270. No difference.

The speed limits on I-495 and I-270 are 55mph. Apparently that's the federally required limit in very densely populated areas with frequent exits. I-70 and I-95 have 65mph in many places though.

[jayman1981]

Wow I didn't know that. See you never stop learning.

A little trivia: For those who don't know why that portion of the Beltway is like an Indy Car circuit it's because the original alignment runs parallel to a winding stream.

[Chris-Kim]

But I like driving in Maryland, where else can you feel like a nascar driver and everyone with Maryland Tags is on one accord with this notion.

100% correct. I don't enjoy feeling like a Nascar driver. On my way to work this morning, I saw a motorcyclist driving at at least 95 mph. On my way home, I saw some cool acrobatic battle performed by an SUV driver and a trucker.

[Chris-Kim]

I need a helicopter for getting to work!

Amen, brother! That's what big corporations should offer to their employees. No commuting stress = more productivity.

[jayman1981]

LOL... that was funny. You must not be from Maryland. I think this is nascar mentality is passed down from generation to generation.

Originally Posted by Chris-Kim

100% correct. I don't enjoy feeling like a Nascar driver. On my way to work this morning, I saw a motorcyclist driving at at least 95 mph. On my way home, I saw some cool acrobatic battle performed by an SUV driver and a trucker.

[Icy Tea]

I was almost in Maryland( southern Pa) yesterday when a big black SUV passed 3 cars on a double lane and almost hit an oncoming pickup truck. I was just checking the rear view when I saw him doing it and knew if I didn't suddenly slow down he'd get stuck. Luckily the oncoming truck saw the fool and also slowed down and the SUV got past me. The SUV driver was from Florida, of course. The funny part was, he got stuck in traffic and couldn't pass anybody else so he never got farther than in front of me.
Then coming back I had a dump truck riding my tail after we got stuck behind an amish buggy. I was doing the speed limit and then some to get some distance from him, doing 50 in a 45 where trucks were supposed to go 25 due to the winding downhill road. Nope, he stayed on my back bumper the whole time.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by DCgoblue

Outside of the city yes, close in, most freeways are marked as 55 or 60, but people still go 75.

Portions of 696 are posted 70 mph, same with several other freeways that are not that far from the city. The 70 mph limit in Mich. is much closer to the city than 65 is here.