topic Re: South Florida traffic in Community Chat

South Florida traffic

Ditzydori — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 04:24:21 GMT

Oh my!!!! I learned how to drive in the country 30 years ago in upstate ny, and only drove there. Now being in south Florida, it's very difficult for me. The drivers are very aggressive and always seem to be in a hurry. I guess like any city driver. Unfortunately I am the one who has to drive now and I'm not liking it at all.

Just curious, any quiet places in Florida? Probably not this time of the year, but quieter than the south part of Florida?

I love the beach, but miss country driving. 😩😩

Re: South Florida traffic

Blingqueen023 — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 04:47:05 GMT

Whatever you do don't ever come to Maryland, DC, and Virginia. They are worse. You take your life in your hands on a daily basis. Average speed on the interstates are 80 and above.

When I have to drive in Montgomery County, MD I have to put my mean hat on to keep up with theses aggressive drivers. Thank goodness I only work in Montgomery county. I live in Frederick County where the drivers are reasonably sane and non too aggressive. My happy hat is on there.

Re: South Florida traffic

Desertdi — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 09:22:38 GMT

I am from Chicago and Los Angeles. I think Phoenix traffic is a "breeze".......but many people do complain that traffic is "heavy". I guess it depends on what you are used to.

Re: South Florida traffic

AngelPuppy1 — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 11:08:19 GMT

@Ditzydori wrote:
Oh my!!!! I learned how to drive in the country 30 years ago in upstate ny, and only drove there. Now being in south Florida, it's very difficult for me. The drivers are very aggressive and always seem to be in a hurry. I guess like any city driver. Unfortunately I am the one who has to drive now and I'm not liking it at all.

Just curious, any quiet places in Florida? Probably not this time of the year, but quieter than the south part of Florida?
I love the beach, but miss country driving. 😩😩

@Ditzydori

I feel for you! I cannot drive in high traffic areas! I become a nervious, quivering mess! I just can't do it! DH laughs at me. He can and will drive any where. Thank goodness. I so envy people who can and do drive like that! I know when we used to go to Florida all the time, he would ask me if I wanted to try and drive and I'd be like -- NO!!!! There is a large city about an hour from where we live and I keep saying, I want to learn to drive there and drive around there, but I just can't get myself to do it! I have always been a country driver, too. I hate highways!!! Maybe a friend can go with you and be moral support. Good luck!

Re: South Florida traffic

dex — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 12:36:37 GMT

I am afraid to drive on the freeway too.I have never driven on one.Where I lived we only had highways and there was a light to get on and off.

Re: South Florida traffic

StylishLady — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 12:51:22 GMT

It's "season" here in southwest Florida. Tourist season, that is, and traffic at times an be horrible. I wouldn't even try to go over to the beaches unless it is early morning. Baseball spring training is starting and there was an article in today's paper about the traffic problems that the Red Sox and Twins games produce here. Just plan on extra travel time and try to relax.

Re: South Florida traffic

Elom — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 13:01:26 GMT

I know that feeling since I am with my daughter in Orlando Fl. At first I was hesitant to go anywhere by myself because of the grid being very difficult for me to figure out and the drivers well they are not forgiving if you are looking and driving. But the good news I conquered! I have found that Oviedo Fl may be a good fit for me. A little slower and seems wide open. Good luck to you.

Re: South Florida traffic

Krimpette — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 13:02:11 GMT

@Blingqueen023 That's so funny....I also live in the metro DC area. I agree that the traffic can be challenging, to say the least. But I'm much more comfortable with the drivers in Montgomery County than I am with Frederick!!!! Maybe it's particular areas of each county. Interesting!!

Re: South Florida traffic

jlkz — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 13:41:46 GMT

I remember the first time we drove to FL: DH wanted me to drive in FL once we crossed the state line. Well, there was construction all over the place and the speed limit was 70 or 75....it seemed that that was the LOWER speed limit !!!!

Switched seats and drove: scariest time ever ! But, I did it. Now when we snowbird, I keep up with everybody. Love GPS because I can get in the appropriate lane in time to make the turn or exit.

For me, the scary part now is the girl or guy driver who swerves in and out of lanes at breakneck speed...just to keep getting one car ahead.

If the driving is intimidating, why not try it at a less threatening time of day when traffic is light ? Ideally, try to have someone more experienced in the passenger seat to calm you and keep an eye out for potential problem areas. Good Luck and keep your independence as long as you can !

Re: South Florida traffic

Lucky Charm — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 13:45:53 GMT

I'm used to seasonal gridlock as I live in two popular beach towns winter and summer. Winter is the better of the two admittedly.

You just need to learn when to make your move (Friday evening through Sunday late afternoon---bad, Saturday evening the worst!). But you can still get from point A to point B-- just not in a few minutes.

I do an unbelievable amount of travelling by car up and down the east coast (700 miles a pop sometimes!), but am lucky I only might run into rush hour gridlock occasionally. Same for construction areas and the occasional accidents jams.

One thing I've noticed, and it is so irritating, people LOVE stop and go traffic. Why? Because that's when they take to texting. Probably on FB complaining they're stuck in traffic. So when the car in front of them stops texting and starts moving, it takes a few seconds for them to stop texting and start moving....

Technically, traffic jams are worse now because of texters. Never I thought I'd see the day that IDIOTS make good use of traffic jams. IDIOTS.

Re: South Florida traffic

wonderfulworld — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 14:23:13 GMT

I recently drove through Jacksonville to Orlando. Not only was the traffic heavy but the construction is horrendous and the lane changes not well marked. Very scary to someone who does not know their way around.

I did not find the drivers to be any more aggressive than elsewhere.

Re: South Florida traffic

Poodlepet2 — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 14:47:22 GMT

Hi Ditzy! I don't know if there any real quiet places in SW Florida. Acadia is quiet somewhat.

There has been a population explosion, and judging from last summer and the traffic, there are more people spending year round here....

I think there will be a big effort to keep Babcock Ranch quiet, but who knows?

Poodlepet2

Re: South Florida traffic

dex — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 18:11:15 GMT

I don't think traffic is ever light where we live now...people on the move night and day.

Re: South Florida traffic

PinkyPetunia — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 18:12:45 GMT

This week is spring break in many school districts in the northeast, so lots of folks go on vacation this week to Fla. with their school age kids. I did this for years when my son was in school.

Baseball's spring training exhibition games start this week too, if I'm not mistaken. My husband is in Clearwater/Tampa area for a few days and he said traffic was heavier than usual down there but nothing to be concerned about.

We are from NJ now--originally NYC area-- so heavy/agressive traffic is an everyday thing. Being afraid is the worst thing to be. Be confident, alert, careful, and make your move when you have an opening, otherwise you will never get off the block.

Re: South Florida traffic

Ditzydori — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 19:13:05 GMT

Thanks ladies. Oh how I envy people that can drive anywhere. It is very restrictive to be otherwise.

Re: South Florida traffic

Poodlepet2 — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 19:50:35 GMT

I can't drive for medical reasons: I have to plan outings strategically. I wish we had true mass transit. I won't use Uber which would be much cheaper, but you don't know who you are getting in the cab with. The premium I pay to my cab company is worth my safety because I know them.... I was never a confident driver when I did drive.

Poodlepet2

Re: South Florida traffic

chickenbutt — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 19:56:11 GMT

I'm also from LA, so I know about traffic. Here, it's a much smaller city and, over all, it's not too bad.

But, there is a lot of stupid going on. People who don't know how to drive in certain conditions, but they're out there wreaking havoc anyway. People who don't know how to blend in from a freeway onramp - NO, you don't enter the freeway going freaking 20mph! That is just maddening, when you're stuck behind them wondering which on of those vehicles whizzing by is going to run right into me because of the bonehead in front of me who doesn't know how to drive.

Oh, sorry - rant over. That is a peeve of mine. Either get going or get out of the way!

I also lived in Western Europe for over 2 years and drove all over the place. Talk about traffic! It was another case of 'get going or get out of the way'. But, since I was already from LA, I had no problem there either.

Re: South Florida traffic

Catiele — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 20:17:06 GMT

We used to go to Florida in the winter. I never drove. At home I drive but I bought a new car three years ago and I still haven't gotten used to it.

Re: South Florida traffic

Zhills — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 20:26:51 GMT

I've lived here all my life so I guess you do get used to it. We blame it all on our "visitors" but we love them.

If you found a QUIET place in South Florida, you would not want to live there; or I wouldn't! Amazon Prime would be so necessary! Not many quiet places in the state. Our town is quiet, but once you leave the area you are on your on! We have enough stores that you could get anything you really needed, just not many choices available.

Re: South Florida traffic

Ditzydori — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 01:54:28 GMT

Thanks zhillis. I'm just curious, where is that quiet town?

I feel so much better that I'm not the only one who has difficulty driving in a lot of traffic.

Thanks for replying.