Why cant people drive around here?? (Los Angeles, Riverside: living in, law, move to)

[BravoJack12]

It's been weighing on me more and more: Why is it, that there are SO MANY bad drivers in Los Angeles?

Every time I get on the road it's a new adventure that may likely leave me disgruntled or dead. It's not just the traffic, I assure you. Living in the second most populated city in the US is bound to have traffic, which it does, but it's expected. I'm more or less talking about the individual people, and there logics when they get behind the wheel. It's ridiculous and at some times comical.

For example, people find it near impossible to turn Right into the NEAR lane. (Don't believe me, it's probably you) It's as if people have forgotten that turning into the near lane is something that had to be done on your drivers test. Everyone waits to turn into the far lane because it's easier and wider, while the damn near lane sits unused, and while I sit 7 cars deep, just waiting through 2 lights for someone to make the turn, so I can get to work, or grocery, or Taco Bell, etc.

That's only ONE of the thousands of issues I have with the drivers out here. I could write a book about it, and call it "IllogiCALI Drivers". Maybe it's because most beautiful come out here, and beautiful people are stupid? That can't be it. I'm decently handsome myself, but still drive like a reasonable human being. It's truly a mystery why drivers out here, do the things they do. I could weigh in on more specific issues, but I am confident that YOU have a few issues on the BAD DRIVERS yourself. So tell me...WHY CAN"T PEOPLE DRIVE IN LOS ANGELES??

[Charles]

Originally Posted by BravoJack12

Everyone waits to turn into the far lane because it's easier and wider, while the damn near lane sits unused,

I think people are waiting to make a right on a red light, which in most cases is permitted, but are hesitant because of the rush of traffic from the left. It isn't clear if the traffic approaching from the left is in the outside (the near lane) or the next lane. Also, if the driver waiting to turn right is in a long vehicle it isn't that easy to make a tight right turn either.

The waste of waiting to make the right turn probably averages out to 20 seconds a day.

[BRinSM]

i disagree that people in LA/SoCal can't drive. We have a system that works here. You either learn to adopt this system or go around to different internet forums bitching about how bad you think LA drivers are. I've been to many, many cities in and outside of the US and it's always a relief getting back to LA. Except for the occasional ******** speed racer, most people are very good about going with the flow of traffic.

[jc76]

Los Angeles freeways are packed, yes, that's no secret, but the drivers seem pretty with it compared to most other big cities.
In L.A. it seems people nudge in and cut people off with notice and keep going on with their lives. In my town if you try to nudge in some hillrat will jump out of his truck and want to beat you to a bloody pulp.

[uptown_urbanist]

My friends and relatives from Minnesota generally think that people are much better drivers in LA. (I don't drive myself, so don't have an educated opinion.) It's been awhile, but I think when we moved to LA from DC my husband thought that while traffic in LA was admittedly terrible, drivers were generally better. That's not to say there aren't plenty of bad drivers around, just that I don't think ability of drivers is worse than most other places, and plenty of people will tell you it's actually better.

[Fontucky]

I've been all over the lower 48 in either a 4 or 18 wheeler, and I rate the aggregate of Greater L.A. metro area drivers as some of the best there are.

[stregacattiva]

I honestly think they don't know that you can make a right turn into the lane closest to you when there are cars in the left lane approaching. I also think that most drivers don't know that the far left lane on the freeway is for passing, it is not their private cruising lane. This bugs me more than the people who are afraid to make a right turn. People camped in the left lane while there is a train of cars behind them blocked from passing. If there are 5 or more cars behind you in the left lane you are required by law to move to the right and permit them to pass. I do think there are those mentally ill people who intentionaly go into the left lane to obstruct others from passing but I think that most people just don't know.

[DowntownVentura]

I have always wondered why I am stupid, now I come to find out it could be because I am a beautiful person. Eh, not bad.

Oh, I have no opinion on whether drivers in LA are any better or worse than others. I have't noticed a difference but I don't pay much attention. It is just transportation to me and a few minutes here or there don't bother me. I am sure if I was jonseing for a taco bell burrito it would be an issue

[Dub D]

Its not that they are bad drivers. It comes down to inconsiderate drivers. They will make a lane change even though that means you have to slow down. They will get mad if you are going 80 in the fast lane, switch lanes, then cut you off for going "slow". They will instantly want to get into the fast lane asap once entering the freeway to save 43 seconds on their commute. They will cut in and out of the carpool lane if it is going 2 mphs slower than the fast lane.

All these things are d-moves. They have nothing to do with being bad drivers. There is a reason why so many road rage incidents occur in SoCal. You can blame the amount of driving but it comes down to how indegent driving manners have become. It isn't just LA, it goes all the way to Riverside and you can see it clearer than day when driving to Vegas up the 15.

We are overall better drivers just so we can cut you off.

[osuzana]

How would you like to live where just about everyone turns left right in front of you when they are suppose to wait for you to proceed at a green light? Or while driving along the person in front of you decides they are going to stop and turn left with no warning? Trust me, there are worse drivers than in L.A.