# Worst Drivers **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 9, 2003, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195 "2003-05-09T20:37:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/21 "2003-05-10T00:41:22Z")
The meanest drivers I’ve ever seen were in D.C., but around here they’re just casually bad. They go wherever they want to, whenever they want to. Probably a lot of this has to do with all the drive-through daquiri shops. :rolleyes: My only problem with other DRIVERS in Atlanta were/will be (yay! DragonCon!) the fact that they all go about ninety, regardless of what road they’re on. My main driving problem in Atlanta is that it’s DAMNED confusing. I invariably get lost every time I’m going to someplace besides the airport. ---
**Author:** ![chukhung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@chukhung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chukhung)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/22 "2003-05-10T03:59:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by neuroman \* > **[Here’s an article](http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/04/30/1051381981922.html) that lists Australia as the worst country for road rage, as determined by a Gallup poll.** If you dig into that site, the countries polled were listed as the “15 Member States of the European Union[;] 3 of the candidate countries, the Czech Republic, Cyprus and Slovenia[; and] Argentina, Russia, Japan, Australia and the United States.” It hardly seems like a representative sample of the world’s drivers. Why no countries from Africa, the Middle East, Central America, South Asia or Southeast Asia? To me, searching for the world’s worst drivers without looking in those areas is like searching for the world’s highest mountains without looking at the Himalayas or the Karakorums… ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/23 "2003-05-10T04:05:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Xema \* > \*\*An example is changing lanes – Boston drivers do this a lot, their skill at it is somewhat better than average, and they mind less about being “cut off” by someone else doing this. > > \*\* My cousins and I decided Boston drivers have a special game they like to play - if they need a new lane to drive in, just roll down the window, yell “New Lane!”, and choose where their lane will be. That’s the only way we could explain the way they drive. Susan ---
**Author:** ![ShadiRoxan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@ShadiRoxan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadiRoxan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/24 "2003-05-10T04:51:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lsura \* > \*\*For the southern US, I’d go with Atlanta as an urban area, Rhea County, TN as a rural one. Atlanta’s are more of a headache than Rhea County though. \*\* you’re really starting to freak me out about my drive into atlanta. 😉 i’d have to say that knox county (TN) drivers are pretty bad. two days in a row now i’ve nearly gotten into wrecks on I40. one guy decided to slowly change lanes. he was at a standstill. i was going 50. i had to slam on my breaks so i wouldn’t hit him. the people in south carolina are horrible too. i’ve known several people that have been run off the roads around there. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/25 "2003-05-10T05:47:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LouisB \* > \*\*Ontarions, closely followed by Quebecians. \*\* Ah, \*\*Louisb], **Louis** , so much to learn. I’ve lived and driven in both Boston and Ontario, and Boston drivers are far worse than Ontario native. Quebecers are worse than Ontarians, but that’s hardly saying much at all. Canadians are polite, remember? This goes for the driving, too – trust me. (And I’ve driven in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal – they’re all a piece of cake.) > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by susan\_foster \* > \*\*My cousins and I decided Boston drivers have a special game they like to play - if they need a new lane to drive in, just roll down the window, yell “New Lane!”, and choose where their lane will be. That’s the only way we could explain the way they drive. \*\* **Susan** , you’re msotly right, except for one thing. It would ruin the game if we _told_ anyone that we were making a new lane. The game is to catch on… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/26 "2003-05-10T11:56:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Xema \* > \*\*But having said this I’ll note that I was run off the road by a Boston driver changing lanes (my car destroyed - his insurance paid) and Boston is the only place I’ve been honked at for failing to turn _left_ on red. \*\* Yep. Both of these fall under rule 1. And, I smoke, and my building is on a corner, so I see/hear the honking for not turning left on red all the time. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Susan\_Foster \* > \*\*My cousins and I decided Boston drivers have a special game they like to play - if they need a new lane to drive in, just roll down the window, yell “New Lane!”, and choose where their lane will be. That’s the only way we could explain the way they drive. \*\* That’s actually an advanced driving tactic, around here. It utilizes both rules 1 and 2; It’s _my_ road! _I_ make the rules, unless I get caught. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by StephenG \* > \*\*Susan, you’re mostly right, except for one thing. It would ruin the game if we told anyone that we were making a new lane. The game is to catch on… 😉 \*\* Yeah. Only tourists signal their intentions. Natives know, if you signal that you’re going to change lanes, people will close the gap you thought you were moving into. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/27 "2003-05-10T12:12:22Z")
Boston drivers drive aggressively, but predictably. I quite like it, but I was used to driving in London, which is similar. Atlantans generally drive fast, but thoughtlessly, which is worse than aggressive (pickup truck drivers are often aggressive, though). Nowhere in America comes within a country mile of the manic mayhem that is the streets of Rome and Paris. ---
**Author:** ![shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/28 "2003-05-10T13:12:23Z")
Rome, Italy. By a mile. Within the U.S. South, I’d have to go with Atlanta. I can also attest to the Australian post. My Aussie friend was the one driving us around Rome…ah, the horror. She had absolutely no depth perception and never knew if she was in her lane or not…not that that mattters in Rome, but still. We came frighteningly close to other cars, guardrails, and people over and over again. I just sat in the backseat the whole time saying “To the left, get to the left, get to THE LEFT”. What made it even worse is she doesn’t know her right from her left. ---
**Author:** ![chattywine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@chattywine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chattywine)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/29 "2003-05-10T17:06:35Z")
Lanes…hehe what a novel concept! Boston was one of the few places I felt ‘at home’ when driving in the states. One of the worst experienced was in Calcutta, pretty much everyone drives in the middle of the road and swerves to the left at the last possible moment to avoid collision. First month I was there I could NOT bear to watch out the front window. Absolute worst, when I tried to drive in Caltutta. I made it about 50 meters (in first gear - couldn’t coordinate with the shift on the lefthand side) before I tried to take out one of the traffic cops. I walk alot these days 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/30 "2003-05-10T18:41:19Z")
I read a travel guide on Paris before going there in high school, and the portion on Americans driving in Paris read (to paraphrase): “We recommend relying on public transit while visiting Paris; you should avoid trying to drive. Unless you are from Massachusetts.” Swear to God. It was obviously tongue in cheek, but very, very true. 😃 Here in Rhode Island, Yield means “What did that sign say?” ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/31 "2003-05-10T19:20:19Z")
I’d vote for New Jersey drivers. Whenever I notice anyone doing something egregiously stupid behind the wheel, they have NJ plates. Having driven in New Jersey, though, I understand. Their highways were designed by morons, so it’s easy to see why drivers get used to doing stupid things. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/32 "2003-05-11T00:05:50Z")
I learned to drive in Boston, and I’ll echo the sentiments of those who say it’s a total different mindset. (Actually, the first time I got behind the wheel of a car, my driving instructor directed me to the rotary near my house, but that’s another thread! :eek: ) To tell you how cut-throat Boston drivers are, I once (and only once) drove a rescue type big old box truck on Storrow Drive at rush hour. It was the only time I had to goose the lights and siren – even still, no one would provide this monster vehicle with enough space to switch lanes. Compassion is apparently not part of driving. So if you live in Boston and the rescue vehicle is late getting to _your_ house, don’t blame the driver. That said – the most scared I’ve ever been in my life as a passenger in a car was in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There were painted lines on the ground somewhere, I swear. It didn’t help that I was in a tiny car that felt like a tin can. I saw a paceline of cyclists on the road there – they have to be the bravest cyclists I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/33 "2003-05-11T00:26:04Z")
[Officially,](http://www.accidentreconstruction.com/news/may02/052102a.asp), > [@](#): > > Boston is still home to the most aggressive drivers > \ > Miami’s drivers earned the title of rudest drivers in the nation > [@](#): > > **The 2002 Nerves of Steel Safety Grades** > > 1. Seattle A > 2. Detroit A > 3. Cleveland A > 4. Chicago A > 5. Los Angeles A > 6. Miami B > 7. Denver B > 8. Dallas B > 9. Washington, D.C. B > 10. Boston C > [@](#): > > **The 2002 Nerves of Steel Rudeness Grades** > > 1. Miami F > 2. Boston F > 3. Washington, D.C. D > 4. Los Angeles B > 5. Chicago B > 6. Dallas A > 7. Detroit A > 8. Denver A > 9. Cleveland A > 10. Seattle A Atlanta was not included in the detailed portion of the survey, for some odd reason. ---
**Author:** ![BadBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@BadBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBaby)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/34 "2003-05-11T00:42:05Z")
Mexico sounds a bit like what some people have written about Rome. I live near the capital of the state of Baja California, so it’s a million people +. There are no lanes in most places, but in others they are jealously guarded. As in bumper car-type action. Everybody is going top speed, except for those who are crawling along. Pushcarts and pedestrians use the streets more than the sidewalks, too. I’ve never seen anyone signal a lane change, but that may be because dirt is covering that part of the car. Dirt is also covering the traffic signal, so you have to guess at red or green based on the surrounding traffic and a prayer. I’ve seen people driving on the sidewalks to get around slow-ups and accidents happen because of potholes so deep cars got stuck. But where else ya gonna get good Chinese food around here? As for worst US driving, I’d have to vote for this side of the border. Just imagine people from Mexico, who are unfamiliar with the area, can’t read the signs, and used to no-rules driving. Add to that a bunch of half-drunk vacationing Americans who don’t know where they’re going and can’t drive their behemoth Rv’s properly, and a bunch of terrified, over-cautious locals, and you have my daily commute. San Francisco scares me more. Especially the Golden Gate bridge. ---
**Author:** ![chopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@chopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chopper)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/35 "2003-05-11T01:34:51Z")
Been thru 48 states and canada. The N.E. is about the worst I’ve been in, but thats in a 18 wheeler and if you think those “lanes” are bad in a car try a truck. A close second is a tie between Atlanta and Chicago simply because of sheer volume. Best has to be Ne. and Wy. cuz of lack of vehicals to come in conflict with. Never been out of North America so I’ll take your word for it. ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/36 "2003-05-11T03:32:24Z")
I’m from Boston, and I agree, it’s a totally different mindset. I’m currently on a campaign, however, to get the entire state of Connecticut’s license revoked. They don’t fit into the polite-ish “normal” driving tactics, and they sure as hell don’t know what they’re doing when they drive in MA. They’re just plain bad. ---
**Author:** ![Nocuous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e79b87/32.png) [@Nocuous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nocuous)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/37 "2003-05-11T16:25:35Z")
I think that any county with traffic laws and some attempt to enforce them is out of the running. The worst driving I have ever experienced was in Kosovo. The largest vehicle has right of way. (Much to a co-worker’s delight - He was driving a Leopard MBT…) Lights on the car is mostly optional. Speed limits are just suggestions. When the traffic is jammed, make another lane. (I was in a jam when people suddenly started to make new lanes. The road was one lane each way, but suddenly there was four lanes going one way and almost one lane going the other way.) There is always room to pass other cars. (Not really, as some other fellow co-workers found out when some people that tried to pass their APC got caught between them and two 18-wheelers. Cleaning up the APC was no fun after that experience.) Add some nutcases that liked to do drive-by hand grenade throwing, leftover mines and UXOs and nutcases that placed new mines and bombs. This results in a very challenging driving environment, that I bet you just can’t find in the US or any other western country. ---
**Author:** ![SouthernSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@SouthernSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SouthernSky)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/38 "2003-05-11T17:28:00Z")
Ok, Nocuous, you win! I’ll take driving on Ga. 400 in Atlanta during rush hour any day of the week, rather than what you just described. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/39 "2003-05-11T21:36:15Z")
I haven’t really driven many places, but I can vouch for what people have said about Boston. Hell, I once had someone drive on the wrong side of the road to get to a red light before me (I was on a bicycle, in the left turn lane about to make a left turn). I daily see people ignore two oversize Do No Enter signs and maneuver around a police barricade to drive on the pedestrians-only section of Washington Street. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195/40 "2003-05-12T01:32:55Z")
I don’t know about most-accident prone or least-skilled, but as to most dangerous, you might want to consider Armenian drivers. I was in a car that had been stopped for nearly _half a minute_ at a **red** light. In the (open) lane next to us, without even braking, another car shot straight though the intersection at full speed. (insert wide eyed smilie \>here\<) California has so many bad drivers due to the massive influx of people from other places. Especially, what are known as, “first generation drivers” (i.e., people who are the first person ever in their entire family’s history to get behind the wheel of a car). In reality, Texas is one of the few places I’ve seen with worse drivers than California. Not only do they think that they own the entire road, but they try to run off any trespassers with small arms fire. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Robot Arm \* > Boston. I’ve seen a city bus run a red light and a hearse cut across three lanes on the freeway. Was this a strange sort of group funeral procession? Or was the hearse just trying to track down some more passengers? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-drivers/174195.md?page=3)