** Driving in Colorado - Denver area *** (Estes Park, Lone Tree: rental car, rental, construction)

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

No, it's not just you. There are horrible drivers in Denver, and it's getting worse with people from all across the country that bring their driving habits with them. For the most part, people don't want to follow the rules of the road.

Very true. The only consistently Colorado bad habit I can think of is not using turn signals. All the other bad habits are imported and lacking any predominant local habit, driving becomes a mess because you don't know which bad habits you will be dealing with. At least in Boston, Houston, LA you know how everyone will be driving. Driving here is an amalgamation of all those areas plus the tourist factor.

[AmFest]

Originally Posted by davidv

Most people do not use their high beams, it is just that lights today are much brighter than in the past and trucks and SUVs put that light at eye level if you are driving a car.

You also become more aware of the lights when you are driving in an unfamiliar dark place. If you routinely drive a certain route every day, you visualize what's ahead even if there are lights blinding you in the other direction. If you are driving in an unfamiliar place, you don't know what is ahead and you get anxious because you don't want to drive off the side of the mountain.

I guess that would make sense, although I find it strange that I haven't experienced this anywhere else. Distance-wise, I think I drive in Colorado as much as I drive outside of the state. Maybe the traffic makes it noticeable.

[Deezy303]

As someone who's lived in Houston, I can say without a doubt that the drivers there are the absolute WORSE I have ever encountered...make's Denver drivers look tame.

And ramp lights on for 10 minutes?! lol YEAH right

Can't be serious with this post.

[BarryK123]

Interesting that you complain about high beams. I find the opposite to me more annoying - brain-dead drivers who DON'T turn on their lights in poor visibility conditions such as dense fog, rain, dusk, etc.

[new2colo]

Originally Posted by Robert5

There are no 75 mph limits close to urban Denver

From what I remember living there, the limit was 75 on I-25 between 470 and Castle Rock and on a large portion of E-470.

[BadKittehs]

One of the many reasons we moved to Kansas.

[dhden2000]

The good news is, traffic in Denver is not bad compared to DC, NY, BOS, LA, Houston etc. from what people tell me that have moved here. It's really a pretty easy and even relaxing commute on I25, I70 etc., particularly in the winter months. I just need to keep reminding myself of this as when sitting in traffic trying to get into work realizing that it could be even worse so I should feel fortunate.

[TCHP]

Of course its all relative. To those of us that have been here for more than a couple of decades, traffic is definitely worse. Is it as bad as other areas, no. However, I don't see it improving any in my lifetime. If we widen and improve the roads, then the pain goes down, so more people move here. Its a moving target that won't ever get satisfied using personal vehicles.

[AmFest]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

Interesting that you complain about high beams. I find the opposite to me more annoying - brain-dead drivers who DON'T turn on their lights in poor visibility conditions such as dense fog, rain, dusk, etc.

Fog is about the only justifiable use of high beam. And fog in Denver? Come on.

[Timmyy]

Originally Posted by AmFest

Fog is about the only justifiable use of high beam. And fog in Denver? Come on.

You should never use your high beams in fog. That can be blinding. The light from the high beam headlights will reflect back and cause glare.