Why does everyone in this city drive so slow? (Grand Junction: condo, living in)

[ryanek9freak]

It seems like everywhere I go, I end up behind a whole string of cars that drive 10mph under the speed limit.

You'd think for a city of it's size, people would be flying everywhere. It's like that in Chicago, everyone is always doing almost double the speed limit (not that I condone that)

It just drives me nuts when i'm waiting for a green turn arrow, and i'm like only 3 cars back, but by the time I get my chance, the light's already turning yellow, because, and maybe this is a topic for another thread, but for some reason the green lights here last about 3 seconds.

When I'm sitting at a red light, I have to have my foot hovering above the gas pedal, just waiting to pounce on it, like i'm in a drag race or something.

It's like i'm the only person who's noticed the short green lights thing. No one else seems to care much.

[MtnSurfer]

Yes, my theory is that they are all trying to conserve gas. When a light turns green the majority lazily accelerate to 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, and eventually 30 mph. LOL... And this is on a work day. It seems like a zombie mode or something. But they will eventually speed up especially if you attempt to pass them. Its like awakening the inner zombie.

[Postal]

I'm with you. I often wonder why people are going 60 in a 65 on 24 or even worse about 55 or 60 in a 75 zone on I-25. I just don't get it.

[Fullback32]

I have no idea, but this city has the most most inconsistent drivers I've ever seen. Some are poking along and some are driving like maniacs. The ones who poke, speed up, slow down, speed up, slow down. Makes me crazy. I think its because there are people from all over here. A lot of Texans (raises hand) --slower guys. A lot of Californians -- maniacs. And then a whole lot of folks from all over with the five military bases here with their own ways. I've been here for eight years now, but I've gotten used to it. But when I go back to Texas to visit family, it always amazes me...everybody drives the same!

[COflower]

Try living in Grand Junction when the farmers are in town...30 in a 55 mile hour zone is not unheard of.

As for C Springs, slow down a little. It wont kill you to go a bit slower. Leave a bit earlier and enjoy the scenery.

BTW, I experience just the opposite. I usually go about 5 mph over over the posted limit and people pass me like I am a flippin' snail.

[JAF1976]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

It seems like everywhere I go, I end up behind a whole string of cars that drive 10mph under the speed limit.

You'd think for a city of it's size, people would be flying everywhere. It's like that in Chicago, everyone is always doing almost double the speed limit (not that I condone that)

It just drives me nuts when I'm waiting for a green turn arrow, and I'm like only 3 cars back, but by the time I get my chance, the light's already turning yellow, because, and maybe this is a topic for another thread, but for some reason the green lights here last about 3 seconds.

When I'm sitting at a red light, I have to have my foot hovering above the gas pedal, just waiting to pounce on it, like I'm in a drag race or something.

It's like I'm the only person who's noticed the short green lights thing. No one else seems to care much.

I have noticed the exact same thing. The drive slow, and are over cautious, but they still crash The stop lights are the longest of anywhere I have ever been including Vegas, and a lot of times they are timed wrong, and the sensors don't work correctly. I have sat over 10 minutes at the stetson hills/powers light at night. One thing I have noticed is people tend to drive slow, and be overcautious but at least they are rude like Ca, Vegas and other places I have been. About all we can do is leave early, and live with it. I try to take back roads, and side streets just to get away from it, even if it takes just as long, or longer.

[Crematia]

My experience is mostly with my own town, I don't leave it much. I did find the Springs confusing, but at least people weren't rude to me when I was puttering along lost considering how busy it is there.

I'm still getting used to the higher speed speed limit here. In Massachusetts, it's mostly 65 everywhere. I have noticed on the local roads, like Mc Culloch here, people crawl along and go way below the speed limit. Then, once they get on Route 50, they drive like a bat out of hell and 75 isn't fast enough for em and they pass you, no matter how fast you're going, they have to be in front. Driving here makes me go

And what's with all the dips in the roads? Almost every car I see is an suv or pickup who can ignore them anyhow...(yet they come to a near stop for them, go figure...)

Then there's the street signs, they aren't always there! I had to go to Fortino Blvd yesterday. I thought I knew where it was, but I wasn't sure. So, I had my gps and it was telling me to take a left, but I couldn't see a street sign to be sure it was in fact the right street. The street sign was on the other side of the highway for the opposite traffic Many places don't have street signs, sometimes they are way high up and you have to hunt for them. Very inconsistent.

[ryanek9freak]

I just had to deal with this again today. ANd JAF, I know what you mean about the Stetson Hills/Powers interchange. Sometimes that light is rediculous.

[JAF1976]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

I just had to deal with this again today. ANd JAF, I know what you mean about the Stetson Hills/Powers interchange. Sometimes that light is rediculous.

Ya I spend about 30 minutes of my day waiting at that light. Think of the air pollution, and wasted fuel that causes. Another bad one is Tutt, and N carefree. I guarantee you they could cut back a good amount of pollution, and clean the air up a noticeable amount around here by setting those lights correctly.

[Mike from back east]

'cause we left our back east Type-A self-important attitudes back east and just chilled out

was here 3+ months before we heard a single horn honk!

s/Mike