Drivers in upstate New York (Hyde Park, Oswego: closing, living in, bars)

[jfkIII]

Fully agree honey! I'm with you on the adrenaline thing. And when one leaves to come back upstate, I get past the Tappan Zee exit on the Sprain Brook...and I can breathe normal again and go back to normal good (non-agressive) driving.

[honeychrome]

Originally Posted by jfkIII

Fully agree honey! I'm with you on the adrenaline thing. And when one leaves to come back upstate, I get past the Tappan Zee exit on the Sprain Brook...and I can breathe normal again and go back to normal good (non-agressive) driving.

It really is a sweet relief. Not to mention the 10 or so degree temperature drop (this time of year), the smell of grass and trees.... heck, even freshly spread manure is perfume compared to some of the emissions the city generates!

[Rikrich]

Originally Posted by jfkIII

hey...if you want to swim the sharks...you've got to become one, or risk being eaten. I'm not defending city drivers...but from what I see...it's the non-agressive types (from out of town) that cause the accidents down there. If you don't want to swim with the sharks...you can play it safe...mass-transit is your life raft.

I don't use mass transit, I don't swim with the sharks and have never been "EATEN", and I am basically a non aggressive driver who lived, worked and DROVE in BALTIMORE FOR OVER A DOZEN YEARS, PRIOR TO MOVING TO INDY NEARLY FIVE YEARS AGO. AND I HAVE NOT CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS OR BEEN IN ONE. Your point is well taken, but I consider it debatable. So, let us agree to disagree agreeably, Take it easy.

[jfkIII]

oooops...my bad...I was addressing Mainegirl!

Easy on the CAPS, Rich....you might cause an accident!

[tviz25]

I'm going to have to agree with jason_els and say that drivers are bad in New Jersey and also in PA.

[mainegirl]

Originally Posted by jfkIII

hey...if you want to swim the sharks...you've got to become one, or risk being eaten. I'm not defending city drivers...but from what I see...it's the non-agressive types (from out of town) that cause the accidents down there. If you don't want to swim with the sharks...you can play it safe...mass-transit is your life raft.

Becoming an ASSERTIVE driver when you go to these hell holes makes more sense, but becoming an agressive driver only adds to the problem.

[jfkIII]

True...good point! Assertive is the better word. Thx.

[thebordella]

Having driven in many rural and major metro areas around the U.S., I do find most of the "drivers in XYZ are the worst!" claims to be exaggerated. Like an earlier poster said, in most places most of the time in this country most drivers behave rather similarly. Not surprisingly, in big cities people drive more assertively ("offensively") and in rural areas, not so much. I also agree with the earlier poster that when you are new to a place, the locals seem more aggressive because they know where they're going.

Which is not to say there are never differences. NYC area driving is obviously a case of, every man (or woman) for himself. You need to be comfortable with that, or else don't do it -- too dangerous, for you and everyone else on the road. Having grown up driving in that area, I can adjust to it pretty easily whether in NY/DC/LA, even though I'm happy taking it slower at present home in the country. And to be honest, it can be kinda fun ... for a little while

When you are driving among aggressive drivers, no matter where you are, it is always entertaining to watch their fits in your rearview mirror. Say you're looking for an address, or maybe even a car two lengths ahead of you is the slowpoke and you're just hanging back patiently -- but the guy (or gal) behind you is throwing their hands in the air and bouncing in their seat and basically looking like they're going to explode. These people are there for your entertainment and it is only good manners to enjoy them. They are the jesters of the road.

[mainegirl]

Originally Posted by jfkIII

True...good point! Assertive is the better word. Thx.

You're welcome.

[xxosaryoxx]

Originally Posted by Rikrich

IN the early fall of 2005, I drove from my home in Indy to attend the wedding reception of an old Army buddy at the CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA IN HYDE PARK NEW YORK. Frankly, what I experienced on the road confirms what I have previously heard about New York drivers. I had to be extra careful, even on the secondary roads which I used to see my friends in Coxsackie. The drivers were absolutely AGGRESSIVE and constantly in a hurry. They weren't the courteous drivers I ever encountered either. In many cases, I got off the road to let those individuals pass me because I was tired of being virtually tailgated by some of those same drivers. Upstate New York is a beautiful place, and I highly praise the cooking at the CIA, but I hate the AGGRESSIVE drivers. No offense intended to the residents of New York.

Psh, their are agressive drivers everywhere. Spend some time in Massachussets. Or have you ever driven the NJ turnpike? Virginia drivers are crazy as well. Its all relative; i guess. And note HYDE PARK/DUTCHESS COUNTY IS NOT "UPSTATE". ok? ok. thanks.