Anyone else feel that Parmer Lane is one of the most dangerous roads in Austin? (Brushy Creek: neighborhood, live)

[newton22]

I'm particularly talking about the stretch from Mopac to 1431. I drive to and from work on Parmer everyday and it seems that I see accidents every week. Several of them are bad accidents with cars totaled and occupants carried away on stretchers.

A few weeks ago I was nearly hit by a guy who pulled out right in front of me as I was doing 60 mph. Had we collided we both would have been in a world of hurt.

I've never lived anywhere else where cars barrel past multiple large intersections at 65-70 mph.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by newton22

I'm particularly talking about the stretch from Mopac to 1431. I drive to and from work on Parmer everyday and it seems that I see accidents every week. Several of them are bad accidents with cars totaled and occupants carried away on stretchers.

A few weeks ago I was nearly hit by a guy who pulled out right in front of me as I was doing 60 mph. Had we collided we both would have been in a world of hurt.

I've never lived anywhere else where cars barrel past multiple large intersections at 65-70 mph.

It's an interesting stretch of road for sure. No reason for folks to pull into traffic without clearance or the right of way. Just too impatient. TXDOT and the city should review the major intersections regularly, especially McNeil, 620 and Avery Ranch Blvd. I've seen dual turn lanes loaded with traffic and the arrow lasts all of four seconds...never mind the U-turns.

Don't know what to do about folks going 65-70 on Parmer within the CoA limits...speed limit isn't that high anywhere on Parmer south of Brushy Creek.

[orngkat]

I sometimes think drivers believe they are playing video games and not driving. There is an air of unreality to their antics as if they can defy physical laws just by willing it so. These sorts of things are happening all over and not just on Parmer.

[usernamenottaken]

Originally Posted by orngkat

I sometimes think drivers believe they are playing video games and not driving. There is an air of unreality to their antics as if they can defy physical laws just by willing it so. These sorts of things are happening all over and not just on Parmer.

Exactly! I swear people who grew up playing video games actually believe that's how you are supposed to drive in real life. See it all the time. Add this to all the other threads about out of control Austin drivers. Speed limits are too high for area roads and speed and traffic rules are not enforced. Like I have said before, if the police actually start handing out tickets and monitoring the roadways, things might get safer.

[COCUE]

You know I've never thought of the driving here as if they were playing video games but now you say it, totally makes sense. Often you see someone speed up behind you, overtake and just weave in and out of the lanes.. All this when the lights 4 or so cars away will most certainly catch them.. And it does

[Idlewile]

I agree with the video game analogy. Spot on. Yesterday, driving back from South Austin on Mopac, I watched two cars aggressively speed, weave and constant lane switch from Rollingwood all the way past Anderson Mill. It really was like watching a video game.

[Trainwreck20]

Yeah, but I see people that are my age (grew up before the 'golden age' of video gaming) driving the same way.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Yeah, but I see people that are my age (grew up before the 'golden age' of video gaming) driving the same way.

Maybe they are driving like they are play "PONG" or better yet, a pinball machine!

[mark311]

Originally Posted by newton22

I'm particularly talking about the stretch from Mopac to 1431. I drive to and from work on Parmer everyday and it seems that I see accidents every week. Several of them are bad accidents with cars totaled and occupants carried away on stretchers.

Honestly, after commuting from a similar area as you into downtown every day for the past 8 years, that stretch of Parmer is relatively tame compared to the other high speed roads around. It's actually safe enough that cyclists tend to prefer it as well compared to other routes. The reason that I don't use Parmer as my main route is that it just has too many traffic lights that back up like the McNeil light. The train tracks normally cause a delay as well.

I find the stretch of 1431 between Parmer and I35 to be much more dangerous. I've driven by multiple fatality accidents on that stretch where people from my old neighborhood have died in crashes. 620 heading West from Anderson Mill can be very sketchy. I guess the truth is that any road around here that has a speed limit above 55mph can be very dangerous, but I still tend to think of that stretch of Parmer as the safer/slower route personally since it has so many lights.

[CarnivalGal]

I think 71 west of Oak Hill is worse. No median or turn lane at all, so cars are zooming past each other only inches apart, going 70 MPH.

But I have to say that the On-Ramps of Death on the lower deck of 35 are probably the scariest in Austin. How did anyone designing that think it was safe?