Driving in Grand Rapids (dangerous, bus, license)

[drlol]

What's with the drivers and driving in GR? It's a lovely place with generally very nice people. But as soon as they get behind the wheel it's as if all the frustrations come out and it's one big race.

I come from UK and if someone was driving about 2 inches from my rear end you knew it was an idiot. Here it seems everybody wants to drive like that and I know they aren't idiots!!! I'm astonished when I look over to see who is doing that as I let them pass. It appears they have no clue it's so dangerous to drive like that. People cut corners, no one lets you in slow traffic and everyone drives so fast. I get apprehensive every time I get in the car.

[mjlo]

I don't think it's a Grand Rapids problem as much as a US problem. In my travels Grand Rapids drivers tend to be average compared with those in other cities. Michigan drivers as a whole tend to drive fast. I feel like Grand Rapids should be known for the "Grand Rapids lane change"- Where you enter the freeway on the right, and immediately have to cross 4 lanes of traffic to exit on the left or vice versa, more so than bad drivers. The interchanges and freeways were prototypes built in the 50's and 60's and it shows.

[philkirkham]

Don't go to MA or Boston then - my wife is from that area and compared to MA drivers and traffic, GR and Michigan is a cruise

( tho' as a fellow ex-UK driver I have also found that tailgating happens way more often over here )

[detwahDJ]

How many times have you seen drivers seemingly unaware of their surroundings? If someone is tailgating you, or otherwise driving erratically, look for a cellphone glued to their ear - these people don't actually see you until they are on your bumper. Also it seems they have made obtaining a license ridiculously easy, possibly to sell more cars.
I am now very attentive on 2-lane streets, and look for escape routes, since I see so many people drifting. Just last night an oncoming car drifted into my lane but luckily recovered when they came out of their trance.

[drlol]

Yes I know what you are saying about the lane change. Such as I 96 where it meets 131 downtown and you have to cross 4 lanes of very fast traffic to exit on the other side. That is terrifying and nobody seems to slow down for you. Why is that?

[drlol]

As you say detwahDJ so many people are talking on their mobile phones as they drive. It's more dangerous than drink driving apparently.

The death rate on roads here is double that of the UK and I can see why. Dangerous driving, high speeds and bad roads, all of which totally surprised me when I came.

And yes the license was so easy to take. Is that the reason, to sell more cars?

[detwahDJ]

Originally Posted by drlol

As you say detwahDJ so many people are talking on their mobile phones as they drive. It's more dangerous than drink driving apparently.

The death rate on roads here is double that of the UK and I can see why. Dangerous driving, high speeds and bad roads, all of which totally surprised me when I came.

And yes the license was so easy to take. Is that the reason, to sell more cars?

Yes, talking or texting which is even worse.
I always wondered why driving tests became progressively less demanding thereby putting more cars with semi-conscious drivers on the road, and I can think of no rationale other than to goose a major industry which undoubtedly has well-paid lobbyists.

[topher5150]

It seems that I give my brakes a work out every morning heading North on 131 going through the "S" curve. All the on ramps, south of wealthy, seem to have less than 50 ft. to merge and catch up with, and promptly reduce your speed. Also watch out for pedestrians people just seem to wander across the road with out so much as glancing to look for on coming traffic, and they tend like to wear dark clothes while riding their bikes at night.

[HappyFarm34]

texting and driving is getting bad as drinking and driving. People need to be accountable for their actions behind the wheel. Amazes me how some people got their driver's license. When I'm downtown G.R., sometimes I take the Rapid bus line to avoid dealing with the traffic and parking issues.

[mjlo]

Compared to bigger cities Grand Rapids and its drivers are mild.