Are Maryland drivers the devil incarnate?

Roads

Are Maryland drivers the "devil incarnate"?

by David Alpert • June 12, 2008 12:38 pm

Jim Graham says so. Whether excessive hyperbole or not, his comment led to an ABC News story about speeding commuters, especially on 15th Street, and even a mention of the proposal to make it two-way. Via DCist (who thinks Graham was spot on).

Speaking of the 15th Street project, there's a public meeting on the proposals next Thursday (one week from today) from 6-9 pm at the 15th Street Presbyterian Church on the corner of 15th and R. It's an "open house" format, so no need to go for the entire thing; they plan presentations at 6:15 and 7:15.

4 comments

Tags: 15th Street, DC, Jim Graham, Logan Circle, one-way streets

Support two-way 15th Street today (Jun 19, 2008)
Another good project and annoying press (May 29, 2008)
Which way for one-way streets and reversible lanes? (Jan 14, 2008)
15th Street bike lane almost done, but won't go north of U (Nov 4, 2009)
DDOT may restore two-way traffic on 15th Street (Jan 10, 2008)

David Alpert is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Greater Greater Washington and Greater Greater Education. He worked as a Product Manager for Google for six years and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He loves the area which is, in many ways, greater than those others, and wants to see it become even greater.

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Thanks for the heads up on the 15th Street meeting next week.

by hiya on Jun 12, 2008 12:51 pm • link • report

LOL, it's true. Every time I've ever tried to drive in Maryland I've been amazed at how drivers always choose to do the most discourteous thing possible. You switch lanes, they try to speed up and box you in. You try to turn and they rev up and cut you off. All of the lanes end as soon as the shift is signaled, giving you no time to inch over.

I always imagine the prototypal Maryland driver to be something out of a John Waters film, like Mink Stole clipping your fender as she makes an illegal left turn from the right lane against oncoming traffic, and then gives you her big, meaty middle finger and screams "F--- you, a--hole!" as if you were the problem.

by J.D. on Jun 12, 2008 1:51 pm • link • report

I think the statement would be more valid without the "Maryland" qualifier... "drivers are the 'devil incarnate.'"

by thm on Jun 12, 2008 10:06 pm • link • report

It's not as bad as that.

Just be prepared to:

floor the gas when the light turns green.

slow down below traffic speed to change lanes, instead of speeding up

edge into opposing traffic to turn in rush hour

honk at left-only turns, or slam on the brakes at left-straight lanes

deal with people who believe signalling is entirely optional

drive from 3-8mph over the speed limit to keep safe, plus five additional mph on the beltway

and you'll do fine with MD drivers.

by Squalish on Jun 12, 2008 10:45 pm • link • report