Pittsburgh mystery (Swissvale, Edgewood: home, car, gas)

[Bazzwell]

I saw six mishaps Saturday in a five mile stretch of Route 40 between Uniontown and Brownsville. Driver miscalculation to a point but also our reliance on PennDot doing the right thing at the right time which I haven't seen them do yet this year. We rely on the state to have some foresight to at least have the trucks in readiness but they'e failed miserably as far as I'm concerned so far this year.

Tiny Redstone Township in Fayette county had clear salted roads all the way around. No sign of PennDot on main 40, nothing but ice. Shameful.

[pic-chic]

Within Pittsburgh, it's likely city crews. It was out around Mt Pleasant and Scottdale and down rt 119 where there was ice and no maintenance.

And this is the first area I've lived where the speed limit was observed. In MA, the average is about 10-15 over the limit (and the limit is 65, not 55 as it seems to be in a lot of places here). Of course, there aren't roads like 70 between Washington and New Stanton masquerading as a highway up there either. That road is just awful - no space between the driving lane and the median barrier and narrow lanes, too. There's also more traffic on that stretch of road than on 76 where they're widening it to 3 lanes north of New Stanton.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by Mugatu

The mystery to me is why do many Pittsburghers drive 5mph or more UNDER the speed limit in ideal conditions? And why do they not realize it IS legal to make a right turn on red if their is no sign prohibiting it? And you DON'T have to come to a complete stop on an on-ramp without a stop sign!

You are correct, as a matter of fact, the PA Drivers manual states you must ACCELERATE on an on ramp.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by pic-chic

In New England, winter weather is more severe and they don't have problems like this unless there's a foot of snow. The problem with yesterday is that PennDOT and the local road crews didn't pre-salt the roads before the snow. That's how they deal with it in New England so that 1/8 inch of snow doesn't turn into a skating rink. Where I live, it wasn't the drivers causing any problems, it was the total lack of road maintenance. Drivers here were driving slowly and reasonably - very much so, in fact.
And what's the deal with spreading gravel on the roads?! Sand works better and doesn't chip my paint.

Well my whole point is, snow and particularly ice is the more dangerous situation, and people around here treat it the other way around.

[pj3000]

Pittsburghers, in general, have no clue how to drive in the snow... even in a little bit of it. You would think that with the very steep hills in the city, that people would get the idea that you have to slow down when it may be icy.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by pj3000

Pittsburghers, in general, have no clue how to drive in the snow... even in a little bit of it. You would think that with the very steep hills in the city, that people would get the idea that you have to slow down when it may be icy.

I love seeing video footage during a snow event....people trying to climb a hill, tires spinning out of control, and they won't let off the gas to gain traction.

[bbrian12]

after all this is the first time ever it has snowed in pittsburgh
LoL

IF YOU CAN'T DRIVE IN THE SNOW STAY HOME!
wal mart will be there tommorow

[bbrian12]

where was all the salt trucks the city claims are allways ready?

[bbrian12]

here is another pittsburgh mystery
why does everyone slam on the brakes before they go in to any 1 of the tunnels.

is it the tunnel monster or they just afraid to go into the hole?

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by bbrian12

here is another pittsburgh mystery
why does everyone slam on the brakes before they go in to any 1 of the tunnels.

is it the tunnel monster or they just afraid to go into the hole?

That's not a Pittsburgh mystery -- that happens EVERYWHERE....

A radio guy out here once yelled to the audience. some of whom were listening in their cars -- YOU WILL FIT THROUGH THE TUNNEL..... you fit yesterday and you will fot tomorrow..

Seriously, when ever you get the first big weather related season change that affects the roads (here it's rain), people have to remember how to drive in it.

Since people seem to not be able to relate similar patterns in the weather year to year, it doesn't suprize me that they do tis driving habits.

Seriously, I live near San Francisco and people forget our summers are chilly... and they forget it every year.....