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Not sure how your eyeballs and 18 years behind the wheel never took you to any other congested center city area, where driving is exactly the same. I'm used to NY and Philly driving, and I actually find drivers here are much less aggressive and hardly use their horn.
If someone in Philly isn't paying attention when the light turns green, the entire line of cars behind them is laying on the horn and/or busting moves around them. Here, everyone quietly waits until maybe one person gives a polite little beep.
you obviously have no idea what you're talking about if you think that drivers in and around DC aren't aggressive (careless/reckless is more like it) and horn-prone.
throw in virginia drivers (more careless than reckless) and maryland drivers (more aggressive and reckless than careless) and it makes for a miserable soup.
is it the "worst" area of the country to drive in? who knows? there is no right or wrong answer and getting into a pissing match about it serves no purpose. just don't try to sell anyone on how mellow and polite the drivers are in the area because anyone who has spent any length of time driving in and around downtown knows better.
One of what people? I was just curious if you had proof because, in my experience, DC drivers are a lot less aggressive, drive slower, and are more accommodating than most other major cities.
As you requested, I do have some evidence that supports what I've observed. The most aggressive and angry drivers according to a survey I found claimed that Miami topped the list for many years (2006: Miami, Phoenix, New York, L.A., Boston) but was unseated in a more recent ranking:
1. New York
2. Dallas / Fort Worth
3. Detroit
4. Atlanta
5. Minneapolis / St Paul
6. Phoenix
7. Miami
8. Houston
9. Cincinnati
10. San Diego
i see no proof of this evidence, nor do i see merit in this type of survey since it's all relative to one's own perception and experience. you can't point to this data (which for all we know you just made up) and call it cold, hard facts.
i see no proof of this evidence, nor do i see merit in this type of survey since it's all relative to one's own perception and experience. you can't point to this data (which for all we know you just made up) and call it cold, hard facts.
You think I just made up a list of cities to try to pull one over on you? Look it up yourself: AutoVantage Road Rage Survey. Also, by your own logic, you see no merit in your assertions because they are "all relative to one's own perception and experience".
Much like a political poll getting a sense of which candidates people support, this survey provides a broader sampling to create a more systemic quantification beyond anecdotal claims by individuals, such as you and I, who do not have the advantage of such a comprehensive view across multiple cities and thousands of people. Its conclusion is simply that drivers in general are much more aggressive and angry in cities like New York, Dallas, and Miami; not that the DC area is void of aggressive, angry drivers altogether.
According to one website posting the study, the survey identified road rage as being defined by: 1. Angry drivers (who overreact and lose temper) 2. Aggressive driving (such as cutting into lanes, tailgating, speeding, and honking)
All that said - when I'm walking around and almost get thoughtlessly run over, more often than not the plates are Maryland.
you obviously have no idea what you're talking about if you think that drivers in and around DC aren't aggressive (careless/reckless is more like it) and horn-prone.
throw in virginia drivers (more careless than reckless) and maryland drivers (more aggressive and reckless than careless) and it makes for a miserable soup.
is it the "worst" area of the country to drive in? who knows? there is no right or wrong answer and getting into a pissing match about it serves no purpose. just don't try to sell anyone on how mellow and polite the drivers are in the area because anyone who has spent any length of time driving in and around downtown knows better.
My point was, first and foremost, that similar aggressive driving happens in all congested city centers including DC.
We have a difference of perspective in that DC is significantly less aggressive than the congested city centers I am used to, and really of no note, whereas it is apparently presents a very aggressive environment to you.
We also have a difference of causation. To you it's "generally miserable, self-important, stressed out husks" causing the problem. To me it's just an unavoidable result of packing a lot of cars into one area, and chances are some of those people are going to be in a rush.
Anyway, I think it's a little silly to be outraged or stunned by city-driving in the city.
My point was, first and foremost, that similar aggressive driving happens in all congested city centers including DC.
We have a difference of perspective in that DC is significantly less aggressive than the congested city centers I am used to, and really of no note, whereas it is apparently presents a very aggressive environment to you.
We also have a difference of causation. To you it's "generally miserable, self-important, stressed out husks" causing the problem. To me it's just an unavoidable result of packing a lot of cars into one area, and chances are some of those people are going to be in a rush.
Anyway, I think it's a little silly to be outraged or stunned by city-driving in the city.
it's all relative.
some folks on the tampa forums complain that drivers here are rude and generally mean. i find that hilarious. nobody honks, and believe me, there are plenty of stupid drivers down here who are honk-worthy. very little aggression though.
why are you going off on a tangent about traffic lol?
One of the major reasons people leave this area is traffic (as stated right in this thread by people who want to leave).
It's not a tangent and, along with cost of living, really speaks to the long-term viability of this region to attract and retain people for more than a few years.
that's because they are generally miserable, stressed out husks.
and everyone is self-important. can't forget that. they're the VIPs of life. you can tell on any major road in or around the city. GET OUT OF MY WAY. i'm very important. i have an urgent... nothing to do.... but damned if i can't get there 5 minutes quicker if i cut people off, tailgate, honk, and make my own lanes on the 395 shoulder.
why are you going off on a tangent about traffic lol?
heh, because that's easily a top 3 watercooler discussion point when living in or around the district.
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