Austin one of most Dangerous Cities for Drivers (insurance, crime)

[sxrckr]

http://www.cnbc.com/id/37151135?slide=4

Had anyone heard this before?
Is it the city limits or the whole metro area? Anyone know?

[Mdlx]

Originally Posted by sxrckr

http://www.cnbc.com/id/37151135?slide=4

Had anyone heard this before?
Is it the city limits or the whole metro area? Anyone know?

Not surprising considering the design quality of the freeways around here, most notably I35, and the number of drunks driving on them.

[TexasHorseLady]

And the number of people from other states with different driving laws and customs, in varying stages of transition to Texas driving laws and customs, all thrown together on the same roads.

[Moonlady]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

And the number of people from other states with different driving laws and customs, in varying stages of transition to Texas driving laws and customs, all thrown together on the same roads.

That's what I've noticed a lot lately. Way too many people on way too few roads and a large mix of people from different areas with different driving habits and driving experiences. One example is the wide right shoulders that are used for making right turns. It's customary, expected and legal to get onto the shoulder when making a right turn off a non freeway type road where the speed limit can be 60 or 65. And yet, recently I've had several encounters with people who slow all the way down to turn speed in the drive lane. It's dangerous and really annoying! That and merging - I do not understand why people don't seem to have any clue when either trying to merge or allowing people to merge. I'm sure this wasn't as big of a problem with a lot fewer cars on the road.

To answer the OP's question -I think it spans the whole metro area into the suburbs where there is a large amount of traffic going in the same direction.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

We did not use the shoulder to make a turn where we're from. I think it's crazy here that it's allowed. The shoulder is often for the pedestrian.

Furthermore, it isn't even marked as a lane! If this area wants to use the shoulder for a turn lane then they should mark it so it's visible. Right now it seems to be one of those unwritten rules.

Yes, that's me in the marked right hand turn lane waiting to turn when someone in a big hurry pulls up beside me on the shoulder to make a turn.

It's also vacation time.

[G Grasshopper]

I agree about the right turn from the shoulder thing. I some states, this would be illegal. Unless it is a marked turn lane (which it mostly isn't in Texas), it is the shoulder, for use by bicyclists and for emergencies. Pulling over to turn would constitute driving on the shoulder, and that is illegal. I understand that Texans may find this irritating, but people from out of state are just trying to drive safely and legally. If Texans want people to encourage out-of-state drivers to do this, they should stripe the road with a turn lane on the shoulder. I have started doing this sometimes, but I always feel like I am being "bad", and I'm not sure I would do it if I saw a cop around.

[ok_ok755]

Driving car in Austin is very hard so I suggest for all people drive slowly, beware about what's going on around you and also the streets sometimes make people confused, on the other hand you can't live in Austin without a car.

[feufoma]

I'm not surprised. Every time I'm in Austin (driving of course since that's basically the only efficient way to be transported there) it's a bit like being surrounded by teenagers with no idea of where they're going. That phenomena, coupled with the outdated arterial roads and essentially non-existent freeways, makes for interesting driving conditions. No prob...I'll just park the car on the side of the road and go play Hacky Sack with the patchouli crowd.

[sxrckr]

All of my wrecks have been near downtown or the near the west side of town. Always someone else hitting me. As you get out further it seems a little better.
All of my crime run-ins (being mugged, truck broken into) have been in or near downtown as well.

[austinnerd]

Wait a minute, if you actually read what the "ranking" is about, it's simply the number of people who are signing up for new insurance that have reported that they've been in a previous accident. The "article" doesn't say whether they actually factored in the location of all the previous accidents (i.e. if someone moved here from SoCal and had 2 accidents whether or not the two accidents would be counted against SoCal or Austin). So I don't know if this is some type of future indicator that says that "more dangerous drivers" are now here in Austin or if it's saying something about Austin itself. Either way color me dubious.

Lies, damn lies, and statistics.