What's up with rude drivers here? (Asheville: living in, law, legal)

[he's so hott]

Originally Posted by Snuker

Do drivers here just commit random acts or road rage or what?

Uh, yes. I've seen some pretty aggressive drivers on I-40 in this area and going to Greensboro and on 85 in Charlotte. Crazy!

[mboyle1988]

Please, OP. The triangle has far and away the most polite drivers of any major city I've ever been to, and I've been to most (lived in seven). You can't expect everyone to be perfect, but by and large, I'm sure that cannot be your everyday experience, and I'm sure it doesn't compare to anything you experienced in your previous city, unless you are from Wichita, Kansas or someplace.

[Waterboy526]

Originally Posted by mboyle1988

Please, OP. The triangle has far and away the most polite drivers of any major city I've ever been to, and I've been to most (lived in seven). You can't expect everyone to be perfect, but by and large, I'm sure that cannot be your everyday experience, and I'm sure it doesn't compare to anything you experienced in your previous city, unless you are from Wichita, Kansas or someplace.

Good point. The problem I have is that a lot of natives claim that it's only transplants that drive this way. I disagree! Sure transplants (just like anyone) can drive like crap, but I have a hard time believing that's it's all transplants when I see people driving like this coming out of my workplace, that I know are life long residents of the Raleigh/Johnston county area.

[he's so hott]

Originally Posted by Waterboy526

Good point. The problem I have is that a lot of natives claim that it's only transplants that drive this way. I disagree! Sure transplants (just like anyone) can drive like crap, but I have a hard time believing that's it's all transplants when I see people driving like this coming out of my workplace, that I know are life long residents of the Raleigh/Johnston county area.

Agreed. I've seen some really aggressive native drivers on my job. I'm afraid to ride with them to lunch.

[mboyle1988]

I'll throw out a statistic I learned in driving school: 91% of drivers believe they are "above average". The reality is that most of us are far worse drivers than we think. Driving is hard and dangerous.

[RaleighJeff]

I can't say I've driven through any area where I haven't encountered a rude driver or two.

[huckdisc]

Current NC law only requires that you maintain the speed limit in the left lane. There's nothing the HP can do. Other states do have laws on the books in the area of failing to yield to an overtaking vehicle that are beginning to get enforced.

I think the key takeaway here is to remember that the left lane(s) is for passing, not for cruising. If you are not passing another car in the moment, you really should be staying right. It makes for more lane changes, but it allows for a much more efficient traffic flow. And, please, please signal. I can't read your mind.

[christinabean]

I agree Bmateo and others.

For the most part, I think the triangle area has very "mellow" drivers. There are occasional aggressive drivers (who can't even touch the craziness of CA drivers IMO). While I agree that that the left lane is for passing, and that the OP should have been watching out for cars coming up behind him-there is still absolutely NO excuse for what the other driver did-that just compounded the problem and could have caused an accident. I'd look at it as an opportunity to evaluate my own driving so that next time it doesn't happen that way.
I will say that I see more crazy driving during rush hour on 40 when the roads are more clogged, and it isn't limited to problems with folks driving in the left- most lane.

[lamishra]

Originally Posted by christinabean

I agree Bmateo and others.

For the most part, I think the triangle area has very "mellow" drivers. There are occasional aggressive drivers (who can't even touch the craziness of CA drivers IMO). While I agree that that the left lane is for passing, and that the OP should have been watching out for cars coming up behind him-there is still absolutely NO excuse for what the other driver did-that just compounded the problem and could have caused an accident. I'd look at it as an opportunity to evaluate my own driving so that next time it doesn't happen that way.
I will say that I see more crazy driving during rush hour on 40 when the roads are more clogged, and it isn't limited to problems with folks driving in the left- most lane.

I totally agree with this. While the OP shouldn't have been cruising in the left lane, what the other driver did was rude, aggressive and dangerous (not to mention immature!). There is no excuse for that!

[Bmateo]

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

... here is the diversity of driving styles that reflect the diversity of people here...

OH NO

Not that again

...and there appear to even be some from wherever it is that they drive 40 miles down the freeway with their turn signals on.

Years ago, I used to rent a place with a guy from Chicago who was very anti-NC, and used to harp on the driving all the time. (note, I "used to"). He always used to get fired up about the turn signal thing, and he was convinced that NASCAR started in NC because everyone drove around with their left turn signal on, and finally just started turning left... Kinda funny, but since then I got married to an awesome woman who was born and raised here (in Lee County). Incedentally, she is the best driver I've ever known. I'm second best.