Was the commute on 540 and I-40 today worse than normal? (Raleigh: schools, trains) - The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

North_Raleigh_Guy · 08-24-2010, 06:55 PM

I work downtown so I don't travel on I-540 or 40 during the work week, but I had a meeting out in RTP today. The commute was a bear from N. Raleigh. It took 20 minutes after I reached the exit ramp just to exit 540 onto 40.

Is this normal or was it because of the rain?

NC to Austin · 08-24-2010, 07:01 PM

Rain was this issue today. There have been some wicked downpours popping up lately and it really causes issues for some reason. It's almost as if it was snowing on the road. Even if it isn't raining where you are, it can be a backup related to rain miles down the road.

Beermat · 08-24-2010, 07:06 PM

the rain and a number of accidents caused by the rain - amazing how the odd shower creates so much havoc on the roads here. Watching Brian Shraders travel report early this morning showed a number of accidents and that it was going to be bad out there today

jeffm · 08-24-2010, 08:43 PM

I think traffic was terrible (more than usual today) all over due to the rain

underPSI · 08-25-2010, 07:19 AM

First, let's stop calling them "accidents" since there is no such thing as a traffic "accident". They are all easily avoidable and should be referred to as "crashes" or "wrecks". If people would realize how easily avoidable crashes really are the number would be greatly reduced.
But yes traffic was a nightmare all over because of the first day of school. The rain didn't help much either.

JackieRTP · 08-25-2010, 07:43 AM

Traditional schools also started today, so some people may have had schedule changes that added to the morning commute on 540

Lisalrenee · 08-25-2010, 07:44 AM

Yes, it was worse. People flip out about a few rain drops. I didn't see any accidents between 540 at capital and I-40 at Page, so am figuring people just freak about the rain. Annoying.

SFspiderman · 08-25-2010, 07:54 AM

underPSI, you've repeated your request to stop calling accidents "accidents" in several threads recently, but I don't understand the basis for it. Why do you think that "accident" implies "unavoidable"?

Accidents are unintended, unexpected, and sometimes unfortunate, but certainly not unavoidable.

Emitchell · 08-25-2010, 08:54 AM

The only things that "wreck" are trains and ships.

underPSI · 08-25-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFspiderman

underPSI, you've repeated your request to stop calling accidents "accidents" in several threads recently, but I don't understand the basis for it. Why do you think that "accident" implies "unavoidable"?

Accidents are unintended, unexpected, and sometimes unfortunate, but certainly not unavoidable.

I'll answer your question as soon as you explain your grammar. Are you trying to state crashes are avoidable or unavoidable? Not trying to be rude and call me stupid if you must but I just don't understand that sentence.