So, it’s been a while since I ranted about terrible Pittsburgh drivers (mainly because my husband is chivalrous enough to take most driving responsibilities). I recently started a new job downtown and have been riding there in a car in the morning with my husband and taking the bus home (a very short distance to Greentree) in the evenings. Needless to say, the idiocy of most (and I literally mean most) Pittsburgh drivers on the road during the daily commute in and out of downtown on 279 South have stirred up a list of at least 50 Pittsburgh driving rants for me - in JUST ONE WEEK! Here’s my first post about the three main categories of terrible Pittsburgh drivers I have seen…watch for more Pittsburgh Driving Rants because I’m pretty sure this won’t be the last!
Top Three Crazy Pittsburgh Drivers
1. Gridlockers - Those Pittsburgh drivers who block intersections during a red light
When you get stuck in the middle of the intersection, you end up causing huge backups because you are trapping people at the intersection! When they can’t cross it, the people behind them can’t cross it, then some idiot backs up that intersection and causes another traffic jam, but this time in the opposite direction…and so on…and so forth. Now, see what you’ve done???
Advice: When there is VERY heavy traffic and you KNOW that there is no way the traffic is going to inch forward and the light is turning yellow, you NEED TO STOP! This one’s not that hard. And, if the traffic is that heavy - you’re not going to get there any faster by running the light anyway. And, if it’s not, that means you won’t have any delays, so you’ll still get to wherever you’re going quickly. SO, STOP THE MADNESS ALREADY!!!
2. Butters - Those Pittsburgh drivers who run up the side of traffic using another lane and butt in line at the last minute (forcibly)
I have a real issue with those drivers who drive up an exit lane (or other non-trafficked passing lane) to get to the head of a long line of traffic. And, inevitably, one by one these people will butt their cars into the lane - usually so forcibly and dangerously that the cars sitting in the traffic lane have no other option than to let the car in or deal with an accident on the way to work. The concept of “Merge Point,” when followed, proves true. If each lane drives up to the (you guessed it) merge point and each car takes its turn at that point, the lane of traffic will move at a much quicker rate than if the cars “bunch and gap” (see article link above from Journal of Applied Probability for more information if you’re REALLY that interested).
Advice: When you come up to a surprise merge point (perhaps it’s a construction lane close - speaking of - remind me to rant on the intense construction going on constantly around here), you should remain in your current lane until you reach the merge point. One person doing this will not make a difference - but, if many begin, perhaps we can change the ways of the road for the better around the ‘Burgh!
3. Uneducated Drivers - Those Pittsburgh drivers who don’t know the general rules of the road
Did you know that passing a truck on its right hand side is completely off-limits on the road? Or, that getting into a lane as a car is coming off a ramp into the lane is downright rude? Did you know that turn signals should be used for every turn and lane change? Oh…this one’s good: Did you know that you SHOULD NOT get off an on ramp if there’s a car in your way that would have to swerve OUT of your way for your successful entry? If you answered no to any one of these questions, then you don’t know the rules of the road and you need to attend a driving school - ASAP - for the sake of others lives and your own as well.
Advice: For your knowledge, here is some advice based on your lack of knowledge. 1) Truckdrivers CAN NOT see you when you pass them on the right hand side and they will gladly change lanes without much thought, thinking that your dumb self knows well enough NOT to pass on that side. Sorry, people, EVEN IF the truck is going slow in the passing lane, you absolutely MUST refrain from passing. This is your life at stake. 2) When there is a car (think the downtown lane merging onto the 279 S/N split point heading out of the city) merging into a center lane and you are in the passing lane, it is downright rude AND dangerous to attempt to get into the center lane at the same time (this is especially dangerous during heavy traffic hours, such as rush hour). It’s not that freaking hard to wait until you’ve passed the exit. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE! 3) Use your turn signal all the time, please…I’m literally begging you. It’s a courtesy and a great way to avoid getting rear ended (and again, avoiding that unwieldy accident on the way to work). It’s just as important to use your turn signal when you are changing lanes as making an actual turn. You can avoid the double-lane-merge noted last. Also, YOU may automatically turn into your house without much thought, but the person behind you is not aware that you live there 4) If ANY ONE OF YOU DRIVERS ever again flies down an on-ramp directly towards my son’s passenger side car seat, I will stop your car and personally kick your butt. This has happened to me 3 times in the past six months (and 3x is enough in a lifetime). I have actually had to SEVERELY swerve out of the way of a car barreling directly at my 2 year old son’s seat. And, I did not appreciate the near death experience, to be honest. BE COURTEOUS AND SAVE LIVES - INCLUDING YOUR OWN! Take the on ramp at the suggested speed. Oh, and let me reinforce that you need to attend a driving school ASAP if you were one of those 3 people that almost killed my baby boy!
Well, I got THAT off my chest. Phew! I sure know that the few friends I discussed this post with agreed with me on these top crazy drivers, but what are some others? I’d love to hear your comments on the worst Pittsburgh drivers!
Here’s some other ideas to get you started:
Summer Drivers - Those people that have no idea how to drive in the winter.
Thumpers/Show-offs - Those people who drive REALLLLYYY slow so you’ll listen to whatever loud crap they’re blasting or check out their car.
Rant and Rave!
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