Sarasota County drivers (Tampa, University, Venice: 2010, insurance, home)

[Rich2010]

I'll find out the answer to this question for myself soon enough, but this should make for a fun thread. How are the drivers in the Sarasota - Tampa Bay area?

(I know there's a senior slow-driver problem. I'm also guessing that the driving couldn't be as bad as that in Long Island, NY -- where about a third of the drivers crash red lights; don't signal when changing lanes; ignore yield signs; and never drive except with one hand on the steering wheel, the other on a cell phone, all the while gesticulating wildly and tailgaiting me at 50 mph.)

Prepare me for the best or worst.

[dmccauley]

I find that a lot of the seniors are out in the morning which is when most commute to work. They have to get in that Denny's special.lol During tourist season its difficult because there are so many on the roads that are just not familar with the area so personally I think they are the worst. When they just stop in the middle of the highway and have no clue this is when all the accidents happen.

[gypsychic]

To me, it's really only very bad during the tourist season which is almost over now. And yes, it's because of senior's whose reflexes are slow and they are also confused, along with tourists trying to sight-see and being unfamiliar with the roads, etc. Certain times of day are the worst. Tampa is MUCH worse, all the time, people in a rush and road rage. Still, it doesn't compare to places where it's really bad like DC, NYC or Atlanta.

All in all Sarasota/Manatee is not that bad at all, especially on the off-season.

[Racelady88]

How To Drive Like A Floridian....


1. Turn signals will give away your next move.
A real Florida driver never uses them. '



2. Under no circumstance should you leave a safe distance between you
and the car in front of you, or the space will be filled in by somebody
else, putting you in an even more dangerous situation.


3. The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you
have of getting hit.


4. Never, ever come to a complete stop at a stop sign.
No one expects it and it will result in you are rear-ended.


5. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive
bodywork, especially someone from Florida or Georgia.

With no- fault insurance the other guy doesn't have the anything to lose.


6. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that
your ABS kicks in, giving a nice, relaxing foot massage as the brake pedal
pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it's a chance to stretch your legs.


7. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right.
It's a good way to prepare for people entering the highway.

8. Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as a suggestion and are
apparently not enforceable in any County during rush hour.

9. Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to speed up
or move over doesn't mean that a Florida driver flashing his high beams
behind you doesn't think he can go faster in your spot.



10. Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident or
even someone changing a tire. This is seen as a sign
of respect for the victim.

11. Learn to swerve abruptly. Florida is the home of high-speed
slalom driving.


12. It is traditional in Florida to honk your horn at cars that don't
move the instant the light turns green.

13. Remember that the goal of every Florida driver is to get there
first by whatever means necessary.

14. In Florida, 'flipping someone the bird' (The New Jersey State salute) is considered a polite salute.
This gesture should always be returned.


THANK YOU & HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY

[PixiStix]

^Funny & so true! I've been here 2 years & I've seen things on the road that absolutely make my head spin. I tell my husband, my goal is to get out of Florida without getting the side of my car bashed in. Last few weeks, I've seen an average of about 1 accident per day (sometimes two...) on my trips to school & back. Yes, the snowbirds & the tourists multiply the problems but offseason is no picnic either.

To the OP, you'll feel right at home- From the license plates, it seems most of New York is down here already

[Sunshine9]

I guess it's all a matter of perspective. We are moving from S. FL, home of the worlds rudest and most incompetent drivers. We drove around Sarasota A LOT in February while we were looking for a place and were pleasantly surprised at how courteous everyone was. Traffic didn't seem that heavy either.

Only one week before our move! Can't wait! Yipee!!!

[Ladywithafan]

Bee Ridge is CRAZY FAST. University is sometimes WORSE. I don't know what gets into people, especially, now, it seems the beautiful weather causes driving dementia.

[smiledoc1]

Originally Posted by Rich2010

I'll find out the answer to this question for myself soon enough, but this should make for a fun thread. How are the drivers in the Sarasota - Tampa Bay area?

(I know there's a senior slow-driver problem. I'm also guessing that the driving couldn't be as bad as that in Long Island, NY -- where about a third of the drivers crash red lights; don't signal when changing lanes; ignore yield signs; and never drive except with one hand on the steering wheel, the other on a cell phone, all the while gesticulating wildly and tailgaiting me at 50 mph.)

Prepare me for the best or worst.

Perhaps my perspective is different being from the Boston area and having driven far too much in NYC as well as on the NJ turnpike in the summer. Sarasota is a breeze compared to NYC. Nothing like the Tappanee or GW bridge. If you can survive the Cross Bronx Expressway you will have no trouble in Sarasota.

[imagardener]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

To me, it's really only very bad during the tourist season which is almost over now. And yes, it's because of senior's whose reflexes are slow and they are also confused, along with tourists trying to sight-see and being unfamiliar with the roads, etc. Certain times of day are the worst. Tampa is MUCH worse, all the time, people in a rush and road rage. Still, it doesn't compare to places where it's really bad like DC, NYC or Atlanta.

All in all Sarasota/Manatee is not that bad at all, especially on the off-season.

I agree with you. Before we made our move to Florida we vacationed in various cities and after 1 day in Tampa we cancelled our reservations and headed farther south. Absolutely due to the insane driving.
Now we visit Tampa and it doesn't seem as bad but our first impression was bad.
And YES Atlanta drivers seem to be trying out for NASCAR.

[FLBob]

I think it's easy to pick on the elderly as a source of any problems when driving, but it's my experience that like soooo many prejudices it doesn't reflect reality.

I see people of all ages, from all states, drive poorly.

Our area has a lot of visitors that are searching for their destinations. They are not familiar with where they are, we need to have some patience with our guests.

If there is a class of driver that I feel makes driving risking, it's the driver on their cell, talking or texting.

Overall driving in the Sarasota/Venice area is pleasant especially off season.