Utah drivers (Washington: how much, live, move to)

[mitsuturbo]

Having driven in SLC for a number of years, i always thought it was the full of the worst drivers i've ever encountered out of all the states i've lived in. (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Colorado)

Well, i'm here to tell you there is somewhere i have been that is WORSE! Yes.. worse drivers than Salt Lake or anywhere in utah. That's right.. IDAHO!

So, the next time someone tells you how bad drivers are there.. tell them to go to Idaho. I assure you.. once they return, they'll have an appreciation for there BEING a fast lane, even though it is typically the right lane of the freeway.

[DP525]

All those old pickups can't move very fast.

[GregW]

Try Boston - there are no slow lanes even on city streets!

[DP525]

I have to admit I am one of the pokey Utah drivers, the few, the slow, the spit on. I started driving the speed limit (even on the freeways) when gas got so expensive. The difference is I stay to the far right. I guess I could speed up now that gas is cheap again, except a funny thing happened. I realized how much more pleasant the drive is going slow and letting everyone pass. When I try to speed there is always someone blocking my way and I can feel my blood pressure go up. I also seem to have more confrontations with aggressive drivers when I am competing with them. But strangley slowing down has meant much less aggravation and a lot fewer confrontations. And I haven't noticed it taking any longer to get where I am going. Give it a try sometime.

[GregW]

Good point -slowing from 75 to 65 is generally worth about 12% increase in mileage.

[mitsuturbo]

its not so much the fast/slow aspect as it is that the fast lane on I15 seems to be the right rather than the left, quite often. and if you happen to be going faster than someone and come up behind them, 99.9% of the time they make NO effort to yield and move to the right!

another thing i noticed that happens there more than other places i have been (and i mean a LOT more, i even see cops do it and nobody gets stopped for it EVER there) is ILLEGAL TURNS! i.e. making a right turn into the far left lane or left into the far right.. i was nearly hit MANY times, and someone actually did hit my car once although thankfully it didnt cause any damage (but it scared the bejeebus out of the other driver) ..i happened to be turning right into my right lane on a green light, and like so many other people there.. she was turning left on green into MY RIGHT LANE

Utah requires drivers to go to a driver ed course and pay for it before being licensed there if they have not held license in another state. Why then.. does nobody seem to know how to drive properly?

Regardless.. idaho could take some tips from utah in the driving department!

[eggalegga]

Originally Posted by mitsuturbo

...i.e. making a right turn into the far left lane or left into the far right.. i was nearly hit MANY times, and someone actually did hit my car once although thankfully it didnt cause any damage (but it scared the bejeebus out of the other driver) ..i happened to be turning right into my right lane on a green light, and like so many other people there.. she was turning left on green into MY RIGHT LANE

I see this all the time too. More the left turn into the right lane thing, but I see it.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I have slowed down even more since I was hit head-on by a drunk driver going the wrong way in my lane at night. I saw the headlights, I was hit - no time to do anyhting and I ws going below the speed limit.

[DP525]

Yeah, the left turn thing...too funny! I have driven 24 years in many different states and this is the only state I have experienced this, not once but several times: I am turning right on green, the oncoming car turning left (regular green, no arrow) SHOULD yield to me, but turns into MY LANE and cuts me off....and then gives me the STINK EYE!!!

Makes me want to shove that cell phone down HER platinum blonde throat.

(sorry ladies, but it has been a woman EVERY time, maybe just coincidence....)