Traffic in Tampa worse now than it was in 04 or is it me? (Miami: spring break, house) - Tampa Bay - Florida (FL) -Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater - City-Data Forum

LKJ1988 · 03-18-2011, 06:50 PM

Had to come into Tampa to get some paper work done on buying my house back that i sold in 04 in Danashores. Just seemed the traffic is much worse in the Tampa than it was when i left in 04. I know the traffic has never been good in Tampa since the 60's.

thethinktank · 03-18-2011, 11:26 PM

Traffic is really bad at present. Over the last two weeks, traffic has been frustrating, but it's not the volume of traffic, it's the quality of traffic. Now more so than ever, no one uses their turn signals, no one pays attention to the traffic around them, people block lanes for no reason and seem to feel like the entire road is their own.

Being aware and respectful of other cars on the road is so simple. In fact, it can save lives. But idiots think that they are special, that they don't need to use turn signals, that their black-bmw/raised-pickup/corvette-trash gives them the right to rev the engines on the road... These people need to go back to traffic school and take a good hard look at what it means to be respectful and courteous to those they share the road with. It's not their road, but they sure treat it that way.

No matter what you drive, you and your vehicle are not special. You are a note in a symphony that could fall apart if you don't properly respect the other notes (cars) and the conductor (traffic laws). Here's to hoping Floridians learn to respect the symphony more so than their own needs on the open road.

BradS1 · 03-19-2011, 12:47 AM

What time were in Tampa? The NCAA tournament draws a ton of fans into the area, maybe that was it? The only time it gets really bad for me is around rush, otherwise I don't have any issues.

Worst drivers in the country down here though. Just take your time and expect the unexpected. So many tailgating/red light running/no turn signal/aggressive drivers. And I don't mean "good" aggressive like in NY for example, these ppl are aggressive, but very, very dangerous at the same time. They don't have the driving skills(or the braincells) to drive safely in this manner. Wreckless aggression is what I'd call it.

LKJ1988 · 03-19-2011, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradS1

What time were in Tampa? The NCAA tournament draws a ton of fans into the area, maybe that was it? The only time it gets really bad for me is around rush, otherwise I don't have any issues.

Worst drivers in the country down here though. Just take your time and expect the unexpected. So many tailgating/red light running/no turn signal/aggressive drivers. And I don't mean "good" aggressive like in NY for example, these ppl are aggressive, but very, very dangerous at the same time. They don't have the driving skills(or the braincells) to drive safely in this manner. Wreckless aggression is what I'd call it.

10am to 1pm.

Keeper · 03-19-2011, 03:28 PM

It is also spring break in some areas. There is a Kenny Chesney concert today too.
Not sure if that is the reason but it could be you have just been away from all the hussle and bussle that it just is more taxing than when you live with it day in and day out.

LKJ1988 · 03-19-2011, 05:06 PM

I lived in Tampa all of my life from 1963 till 04 when i moved to west Pasco. Just seems like the traffic around the airport is much worse. The traffic on US19 is very bad as it is, but just about every road in Tampa seemed like another US19.

user8 · 03-19-2011, 05:31 PM

isn't traffic in every area of the country worse than in 04?

90sman · 03-19-2011, 06:04 PM

Tampa and the surrounding area's population has grown since 2004. That must be the reason.

rogercobb · 03-20-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thethinktank

Traffic is really bad at present. Over the last two weeks, traffic has been frustrating, but it's not the volume of traffic, it's the quality of traffic. Now more so than ever, no one uses their turn signals, no one pays attention to the traffic around them, people block lanes for no reason and seem to feel like the entire road is their own.

Being aware and respectful of other cars on the road is so simple. In fact, it can save lives. But idiots think that they are special, that they don't need to use turn signals, that their black-bmw/raised-pickup/corvette-trash gives them the right to rev the engines on the road... These people need to go back to traffic school and take a good hard look at what it means to be respectful and courteous to those they share the road with. It's not their road, but they sure treat it that way.

No matter what you drive, you and your vehicle are not special. You are a note in a symphony that could fall apart if you don't properly respect the other notes (cars) and the conductor (traffic laws). Here's to hoping Floridians learn to respect the symphony more so than their own needs on the open road.

This is the biggest problem with driving in Florida. It is not so much the volume of the traffic. In fact, other metropolitan areas in the U.S. have worse traffic than Tampa, even Orlando, Jax, or Miami. What's frightening is the inconsiderate people on the roads with their "ME FIRST" attitude. Really, how hard is it to use a freaking turn signal?

user8 · 03-20-2011, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogercobb

This is the biggest problem with driving in Florida. It is not so much the volume of the traffic. In fact, other metropolitan areas in the U.S. have worse traffic than Tampa, even Orlando, Jax, or Miami. What's frightening is the inconsiderate people on the roads with their "ME FIRST" attitude. Really, how hard is it to use a freaking turn signal?

this is not unique to the sunshine state.

ALL metro areas experience "me first" drivers. all of them.

learn defensive driving techniques to minimize the chances of one of these idiots hitting you.