How to drive in San Francisco, without getting in a accident caused by someone else

[Bluesmama]

What's always fascinated me are the PEDESTRIANS that step right out to cross the street against traffic, totally oblivious to the on-coming cars. And it's mostly locals, who should know better. I mean, it is a death wish! And it's quite pathetic when one can't wait for the 'walk sign' to cross. I don't know how SF's drivers avoid running over people.

[stillkit]

Originally Posted by Bluesbabe

What's always fascinated me are the PEDESTRIANS that step right out to cross the street against traffic, totally oblivious to the on-coming cars. And it's mostly locals, who should know better. I mean, it is a death wish! And it's quite pathetic when one can't wait for the 'walk sign' to cross. I don't know how SF's drivers avoid running over people.

Yeah, that's why the New GM is coming out with a model specifically made to sell in San Francisco and Hollywood.

It has a glass floorboard so you can look down and see if you know the chump you just ran over.

[Joe_Ryder]

Originally Posted by Bluesbabe

What's always fascinated me are the PEDESTRIANS that step right out to cross the street against traffic, totally oblivious to the on-coming cars. And it's mostly locals, who should know better. I mean, it is a death wish! And it's quite pathetic when one can't wait for the 'walk sign' to cross. I don't know how SF's drivers avoid running over people.

Try Berzerkely. I swear that must be the most suicidal city in America. It's a testament to the skills of area drivers that you don't see pedestrians flying every 30 feet.

I'm originally from Texas where a hood ornament is not a decoration but in fact a targeting device used to bag pedestrians. When I first moved here I nearly got one the first day. He screamed that he had the right-of-way. SInce I had a green light, I suspected he was in error. I told him that "He had the Right-of-way" would look nice engraved on a tombstone. No matter who has the right-of-way, it's just dumb to step out in front of two tons of rolling steel. I don't know how so many of them manage to survive.

[rah]

Originally Posted by rah

but some aggression combined with GOOD driving skills is alot better than your average defensive driving in my opinion.

Damn now that i look at this it sounds all wrong. Some aggression is good, combined with defensive driving, especially in a place where drivers tend to be on the more aggressive side as well...people who drive TOO defensively can cause problems, IMO.

But like other have said its not like driving in SF is that much different than anywhere else. It's just very crowded and busy, and hills can throw some people who aren't used to them, especially if you're driving stick. Pay extra attention, is pretty much the best advice I guess. All the worst drivers I've encountered anywhere are the oblivious types who are preoccupied with whatever it may be, and drive 10 miles an hour down Market street, or turn down a one-way street going the wrong way, or double park in everyone's way or whatever. Driving like that is even worse in a dense, busy place like SF, obviously.

[Radical347]

Realize that even though they're CA drivers (laid back and polite...and unless you've driven elsewhere, I don't think you can say otherwise, drivers in the rest of the country are incredibly rude compared to CA, except for maybe MN), they're also city drivers (aggressive and in a hurry.) So they drive 5-10 mph above the speed limit, always go through yellow lights, but they (generally) won't cut you off and they're a bit more lax on using their horn than other big cities. I.e. if you're waiting in at a stoplight and it turns green and you don't go within the first 0.05 seconds, in Chicago they'll honk at you. In SF they'll generally wait about 1 or 2 seconds before honking.

If you need to turn right, get into the most right-right lane before you turn, even if it's a parking or hydrant space, otherwise someone will sneak in next to you.

Pass when you need to. (I.e. when when muni buses are pulled over letting people off -- but NOT school buses!) If the car in front of you is waiting for a stopped muni bus or car because they're too timid to pass, honk.

Avoid parking/driving where places are extremely tight. That being said, if you park somewhere and then when you come back the car in front of and the car behind you are less than 1 cm from your car (happened to me more than once), it's fair game to leave marks all over their fenders when you get out. But try not to unless it's necessary. (On a similar note, after a few months here your car will probably have marks on its fenders. It doesn't affect how the car runs so c'est la vie.)

Avoid driving on Market St., Clement St., or anywhere in the Sunset. (ESPECIALLY 19th Ave. If you absolutely must, take 18th or 20th down.) Avoid driving in the NE part of the city unless your car can handle steep hills. Avoid driving in the SE part of the city unless you want to get shot.