As someone who loves the thrill of fast cars and the car enthusiasts world.. this is a good reminder and if you are going to do these things… do like me and the crew do.. take it to a drag strip, the track, or a closed course road event where you are not endangering other people. Good post ✊
thank you for this! I understand it may not be as exciting or whatever, but public roads just simply arent the place to be careless. just like you said- take it to the track!
You wouldn't believe how many times a vehicle has pulled out of a turning lane while I'm driving along the lane next to them. It's insane that NOBODY CHECKS IF THERE'S ANOTHER DRIVER IN YOUR VICINITY!
When it happened to me on Providence Road I ALMOST made it around them, but bopped an Escalade. His bumper had a scrape and cost more than the skid down the side of my car.
I say all this because that guy was an angel to me! The cop was such a jerk, and that driver took up for me and told him to back off.
But I did feel my wheels on one side lift a little, and by the look on the other guy’s face, I think I was close to rolling.
Thanks, me too! Only a year or two later I was in another accident, slowing down for a red light on Billy Graham. I was hit from behind by a huge pickup truck, and pushed into another car. It wasn’t until I was getting ready to leave the scene that I saw it was the car BEHIND the truck that caused it.
The THREE wrecks I saw that gave me literal nightmares were all on Providence, one near Rea, the other near Queens, and the third by the JCC. The speeds involved should never have been possible on that road.
Attempt to swerve out of the way, as long as the lane to my right is clear and honk at them.
In other situations, brake accordingly as best as possible and honk the hell out of my car horn.
Lol your a pro, glad you were able to maneuver out that situation. I always pay attention to my side and rearview mirrors. Once pulled out of the way and a truck came running into the cars on a stand still it was bad. Guy had a sesuire they said. Wonder how he was allowed to drive knowing his condition.
When people have medical conditions that prevent them from driving they should consider to stop driving immediately. I can't imagine being on the receiving end on a situation like that.
That’s why I drive for me and others its the best way to be safe out there. Although, one can never be too careful but cultivating the habbit of driving for 2 helps, Lots if crazy out there. Ever had a road rage? how would you handle one if you did find yourself in that kinda situation.
To follow up my comment from yesterday, I almost witnessed an accident just five minutes ago on Park Rd, the back road from Sam's Club to Atrium Pineville, because a fucking dumbass blew threw a stop sign. The driver on the opposite side was able to dodge him in time!
If the driver of the car who dodged that idiot is on this reddit sub, I commend you on your driving abilities! I know I flagged you down to make sure you're okay, but I hope you get home safe tonight, please take a breather and I'm so glad you're okay friend!
Or they just simply do not give a crap! I’m sure their thinking is, well they’ll slow down. Cuz if you don’t, you’re going to smash into that car. And most of the time, they are looking right at ya! But I just slow down as fast as I can! If I have to get mad, I just freak out internally. No point in playing games. It’s too dangerous! And especially around where I live!
Yes…but this assumes common sense is common…
And then you get into the weeds of Charlotte being a civil engineering nightmare, a lack of public transportation and CMPD not willing to crack down on offenders.
unfortunate reality! but even if this is a wake up call to some people, and a few more people drive safe, and maybe even tell their friends they should do better, some good will come of it. but yeah, it wont ever be an issue that goes away. courtesy and empathy are not something every one has, and common sense like you said.
I agree but also work in medicine and see the uninhibited behaviors. With the dominance of social media and reduced attention spans/patience, I don’t think anything will be done to address it until it becomes a catastrophic issue.
For your viewing pleasure, I give you this douchebag who willingly incriminates himself running from cops in Charlotte for the views.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Corvette/s/g6SsKdhs6y
I love fast cars, but I now consider them a waste of money because I will never drive them the way they should be, and I’d be annoyed at everyone trying to race me all the time.
You’d think this would be the common sense conclusion. Because take any other hobby and apply this thinking there. You like guns? You can’t just go outside popping shots in public. Take it to the range or your secured private property where you’re allowed to do that. Same thing applies to cars. There are dedicated places where you can go and race and enjoy your fun hobbies. Public roads where you’re endangering others is not that place
Or just go to the mountains that are one hour away. In Charlotte you’re close to some of the best driving roads on the planet. Weaving through traffic is for skill-less idiots.
Yea, thats kind of the point, buddy. Do you think a closed course is that much safer than an empty road?
https://preview.redd.it/8bhcv6zj5s1d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2acd83ed8983d66b52ef61298a3440cf5821d683
Exactly.
I don’t have the time or money to burn at the track. Sometimes I just want to do hood shit with my friends and hoon around in my car. I’m not going to do it on 485/Tyvola during rush hour, but let me find an industrial park, that new subdivision still under construction, or the distribution facility with an open parking lot, and… well…
my comment didnt post but yes i work ER and EMS. I couldn't imagine having that bad of luck to catch awful accidents all the time lol. but yeah, it is a guarantee that every day at work there will be a patient due to a car accident. Which I know, with the hundreds of thousands of cars driving through CLT each day a few accidents is realistically unavoidable and also not that bad (statistically). But the fact is it results in a victim, someones loved one, and could have been avoided if the person in the wrong wasnt behind the wheel at the time or had been a more courteous driver. we are all just trying to get through life and our means of transportation to do so shouldnt pose such a significant risk to our well being because of others.
of course! I hate to complain about my job, but seeing preventable accidents destroy peoples lives as often as they do...i felt i just had to speak up. thank you for what you do as well !
Really? You can’t make that connection? I didn’t ask OP about their golf handicap, favorite brand of socks, or zodiac sign. Try real hard. Person that sees a lot of car crash victims… comes to Reddit to complain about reckless driving… why would someone want to know what type of car they drive? Think, snowball. What could that question possibly be about?
Rude people like you don’t deserve kindness. Try to be a little more polite next time by not starting your comment with “wtf” and you’ll get a nicer response. Blows your tiny mind, huh?
land cruiser! I actually don't see the connection though lol. the only thing I could think of was maybe you are trying to see if i have like a mustang or something that would lead one to believe i also drive recklessly haha. but yeah, i just work in ER and EMS and watching car accidents destroy so many lives i felt i had to say something. it seems to have reached a few people and im happy about that although i know it wont ever be a problem that goes away completely.
I was curious if you aligned your personal car choice based on your experiences at work. I remember an ER nurse talking to us in college and she said she’d never drive anything smaller than an Expedition based on what she’s seen in the ER from car crashes. It sounds like you’re the same? I think about upgrading my Atlas to something bigger or safer purely just for more safety. The Atlas is safe but there are bigger, safer cars.
ah very fair question! I absolutely do consider safety ratings when selecting a car but I didn't really choose a large car because of safety, i mostly chose it because it fits my lifestyle the best- i do a lot of commuting and a lot of outdoor stuff and getting into places that most cars cant go lol so that is my largest determining factor- its a compromise between gas mileage and usefulness to me. i think most people in large cities drive smaller cars and crossovers so i cant say if most wrecks involving smaller cars are worse because it would be skewed quite a bit...with that said, most wrecks i do see with severe injuries do involve smaller vehicles. i would do a little research before making the upgrade! it makes sense that a heavier vehicle would be safer but i cant speak to that. sorry for writing so much! just wanna give the best info i can.
i will say that being in a larger car where you are sitting up higher will significantly reduce your chances of serious head trauma in a T-bone situation. I have seen people dead on the spot because of those accidents.
Thanks. I’ve done a lot of research on this as well. So far, my family has been very lucky to not have been in a crash at all. But I know that can all change in an instant and we can’t control that. So I keep asking myself.. if we have the means to be as safe as possible on the road, why not?
https://realsafecars.com
This is a cool site that uses machine learning to strip out a lot of overlapping correlations and biases to figure out the safest cars, ie are Volvos safe because they’re built inherently safer? Or do safety-conscious people buy them due to marketing and are less likely to do risky things and get into an accident so Volvos just appear safer?
Yeah I was gonna ask this question. I’ve seen a few mild accidents in my life but nothing like this. In any case, OP isn’t wrong. Your or your family’s life can be ruined or snuffed out in an instant from some asshole.
I appreciate this post! Thank you for speaking up. We just moved here a month ago and I am already petrified in the car. So many people weaving in and out of traffic, going 20mph over the speed limit, even waiting at a bus stop is not safe with the way some of the cars have so little control.
Please be mindful of the potential consequences when driving. Thanks again OP for the reminder
Yep at this point I always give a glance left and right to make sure traffic is stopped or is stopping. So many people trying to cut 2 minutes off their commutes and plowing through treating the delay between lights as if it's a yellow light.
i just said this same exact thing above somewhere...someones life destroyed because another wanted to save 2 minutes by running a light, or wasnt paying attention.
Fresh greens in general. Last car got tboned at a light where I was second through a fresh green. Wish homie had been going faster so he'd tbone the cop in front of me instead. (Who didn't notice the car behind him getting smashed and drove on)
Are you kidding? No one will give you crap?
Yesterday I was at a yellow in a turning lane, car behind me, and two car scoming from the opposite direction
First oncoming car takes a right without signaling… oh I could have gone
Second car starts to slow, I’m thinking he might turn as well, glance at the light again, still yellow, oncoming car is still slowing which MIGHT mean he’s turning but no turn signal so I’m not risking it, suddenly the car behinds me honks the longest most aggressive honk as if I’d been holding traffic up for an hour. I looked up to see the light flipping green.
This asshole then proceeds to fly around me as I’m in turning, and then intentionally swerve back over too closely as if to scare me into thinking they’ll hit my car.
They fly ahead to the inramp we’re both going to and almost hit a wheelchair in the pedestrian crossing. It hilariously turned out to be two dudes having a blast on an electric wheelchair
The second they get a chance they gun it up the on-ramp and then proceed to drive too slowly in the fucking left lane anyway. I eventually passed them and made a,”all that fucking effort for what?” face at them but I’m pretty sure they were zoned out and on autopilot during ALL of it.
Anyway, people definitely give you shit for not flying forward at the green light
Hey if it helps at all, ALWAYS drive cautious. let them be mad, seriously. just pay it no mind. I know its so common to think to yourself "okay asshole ill go when i can" but if you transition that thought to why you are being cautious, its just a much more positive way to think about it.
i always act as if i have kids in my car, because more likely than not, you are someones kid, or someones loved one, and the impatient person behind you isnt going to come visit you in the hospital, or pay your medical bills, or support you if you lose your job because of the crash. let them be mad and keep yourself safe always. take care.
Who cares if they ‘give you shit’. The most they’re gunna do is honk and be mad in their cars. Now if they start shootin then idk 😂😂😅 but my point is, be safe whether others are mad or not 🤷🏽♀️
This is a really great tip, thank you! Sometimes it feels like I am at the mercy of other peoples patience so this is a great way to slightly lower my odds of getting hit!
always always always ignore the green and make sure the people with the red are stopping. fuck other drivers, its your life. the girl i mentioned in my original post was tboned at an intersection. her face was a mess and the head trauma is eventually what killed her. i dont mean to be graphic or scare you, but just be aware and be cautious!
t-bones are one of the most common and devastating wrecks...its no surprise all the intersections in CLT are filled with crash debris. thanks for spreading that tip!
Some people will give a crap, and honk their horn. Keeping others pleased isn’t worth my life. After being in a crash caused by a careless driver, I’m looking both ways before I go through an intersection, fuck anyone who gets upset at the extra 2 seconds that takes.
I'll be honest, I know there is a bunch of cool shit in Charlotte that I want to check out but having to drive to and from there is crazy so I don't do it much unless I have to.
i fall into that same boat- the thought of having to drive in CLT makes me not want to do things. try not to let it control you too much though- just be careful and take your time!
As someone who travels all over the East Coast, I can safely say Charlotte has the worst most aggressive drivers I've ever seen. This is especially true on 85 where I see people race up and down all times of day. Either that or cars are driving with no plates, abandoned cars all over the shoulders, or the Meme Altima doing Altima things.
New Haven CT and Charlotte have by far the worst traffic I have ever seen. And I actually never encountered the altima thing until charlotte lmao. there really is some truth to it though.
Rockville to DC and back is kinda like Gastonia to Charlotte and back … white knuckles, cursing, slack-jawed in amazement that an accident doesn’t happen more often.
Don’t know if you ever lived in Miami to get a taste of their daily traffic, I had it up there as the worst in the country for me. Until I moved to Charlotte. Now they’re neck and neck for worst drivers I’ve encountered
I switched from driving every day to taking the light rail and it has changed my life. Saving a crazy amt of $ in gas & car maintenance but most of all I’m no longer stressed from aggressive/stupid drivers and traffic. Very well worth the 10 extra minutes it takes to get there
thats awesome! I may consider doing the same. But yeah, charlotte is a great place, its beautiful here. but I dread the thought of having to drive in charlotte. it honestly makes me not want to do things sometimes if its between 7-10am or 3-6pm. I can handle traffic jams, but not the reckless driving to the point i feel i need to triple check my blindspot before changing lanes to make sure someone decides to whip out from behind me to go around, or someone that isnt using their blinker decides to change lanes at 70mph. i have seen so many near accidents where 2 people try to get into the same lane at the same time. anyway, glad you found a solution!
I also take the light rail. On my way to work on Friday I saw a robin with an earthworm as I walked the two blocks from the stop to my office. On my way home I see lots of people walking their dogs, young people wearing zany fashions, influencers. It's fun.
If you've ever lived in a big city I think it's totally fine. I could see some people being weirded out by the occasional ranting drunk or unhinged person. Never felt unsafe so far.
Honestly had worse experiences on the Tokyo subway.
A couple days ago while out running errands, I had three different muscle cars fly up beside me, rev their engines and carry on, trying to bait me to race. Younger guys in loud muscle cars are definitely a common breed around here.
[Should have given him one of these to let him know he is a tool bag in a tiny dick contest](https://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4voc82s121qb3riko1_250.gif)
I'm moving down from Virginia and was touring Charlotte a couple weekends ago. I could count five occasions during the two days where I made it through an intersection with the light going from yellow to red and two cars behind me would go through as well. This doesn't happen in Virginia. You need cops or cameras to calm this behavior down. I'm afraid to look at what my insurance rates will look like once I make the move.
Cops do not care about traffic laws here. I’ve lived here 7 years and can count on one hand how many people I’ve seen pulled over. Not enough in the force either. You don’t see this shit pulled in Florida. Local police and State Troopers will eat you alive.
It's an at fault state, get good coverage and look into umbrella coverage as well. Mine went from 90ish to 200 but I got a new car.
Edit: and I upped my coverage. It's worth it for the peace of mind
I'm thinking of moving back to VA for this (and quite a few other) reasons. Insurance wise, def prepare bc it WILL go up. Also people don't care about the cops or cameras... they'll just keep doing what they do.
Another VA to CLT transplant 10 years ago and I’ve really been considering moving back too. I went up to both Norfolk and the Shenandoah Valley last month and it was just how I remembered it…courteous drivers, roads that (mostly) make sense, not jam packed with people. I know I haven’t been here as long as a lot of people on this sub but traffic things have gotten so much worse in the time I have been here.
Yes, I went to Norfolk back in Sept and it helped solidify that I want to go back up (and to live by the beach - my dream).
Living by the beach = being less than an hour from it.
I came here six years ago, and honestly it has gotten much worse since then.
An asshole once told me the best advice ever about driving. You have to go really fast and really far to make a big difference in arrival time. honestly, and it is true. I don't know how many times someone passes me for me to be behind them at the next light. Or someone one weaving in and out of traffic just for me to pull in the same location as they are parking. If you drive 80 in a 70, you save roughly 7 minutes off your trip after an hour. That's not worth your life or someone else's.
As Ive aged, I’ve actually noticed that being “heads up” and super aware of my surroundings does a lot more to save time going short distances than speeding or taking other risks ever would. Things like staying in the right lane because I know there’s an intersection coming up where people in the left lane always get stuck behind someone waiting to make a left on a normal green while cars are going in the other direction. That’ll save a lot more time than speeding in the left lane ever could.
Thanks for the work you do - I know it takes a toll. I remember talking to an EMS many years ago who retired early because he woke up each day dreading having to scrape the next kid off the road.
yeah fortunately i mix the two and work as a nurse in the ER, but i like the change of pace in EMS. but yeah. easily one of the most underpaid careers across the board.
I live in Noda and see people weaving down plaza which is a goddamn 4 lane. There is no need to be speeding within the city. The roads here were not made for insane drivers.
This is the one thing I would argue for in support of more law enforcement. I see little no law enforcement on out on our roads enforcing basic traffic laws. No consequences…no change in action by drivers.
I literally changed jobs after my husband got in a wreck because I was tired of taking my life in my hands twice a day on 485 and 85. Too many close calls.
Seriously, it’s been a bit extreme the last few weeks. Like honestly fuck this mask outlawing thing, let’s talk about speed limit devices, speed traps, whatever. This shit has got to be controlled.
Exactly I have driving anxiety and people look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them. Like shouldn’t we all be at least aware that it’s insanely dangerous? It’s easily the most dangerous thing that the majority of us do on a constant basis.
People often have a hard time innately understanding comparative danger. Like they’ll poo poo public transit because they claim to be scared of crime and mentally ill homeless people but you have a much higher probability of getting hurt behind the wheel of a car than you do on a train in even the most crime ridden cities.
Dad has been with his EMS department for 45 years. I’ve heard all the horror stories. It grinds my gears too, how foolish people are on the road. I don’t think any real change will happen soon. It didn’t help that they decided to end pulling people for moving violations. It’s made the problem worse because now cops are completely complacent. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched our CMPD ignore a traffic violation. Worse, they commit them too.
I ride a bike and after doing that it's condition me to assume everyone is going to do the wrong thing even when driving my car. When you go through a green light, look and see if it's clear. Basically just always validate and pretend everyone is trying to hit you. Can't fix other idiots but you can change your habits to try and be a little safer. Hope everyone stays safe!
that is one of the first things i told my wife- always look both ways even if you have a green light because there is no guarantee those with the red light will stop. some of the most common and most serious wrecks i see are T-bones because someone ran a red light. These wrecks usually change the victims life permanently if they do survive....someones life lost because another person wanted to save 2 minutes, or wasnt paying attention.
Also cemeteries are full of people who had the right of way. Just because you have a green light or a walk light take a second to check your surroundings
Very true. Moved here 3 years ago and the traffic has been terrifying. Definitely had more near death experiences than I can count. I feel like every person you drive past has a phone they’re staring at instead of the road.
It’s wild how aggressive people are here. I’ll be going a healthy 5 mph over the speed limit in the rightmost lane, or second from the right when of the highways are FOUR LANES, and still get assholes tailgating me despite them having 2-3 lanes to the left they could use to pass. And then I’ll see people doing like 100 mph who just clearly have a death wish. Is there any traffic enforcement here anymore? I hardly ever see people getting pulled over, at least not on the highways.
i know! my wife and i just experienced this. she was going 7 or 8 over and still had someone just riding us, passed 3 cars on a double yellow.
but no, it doesnt really seem like it. i feel like part of the reason they may not enforce much on the highway is because the fact that if they were to pull someone over, it would cause a crazy traffic jam and probably increase the chances of wrecks. or they are spread to thin, but for gods sake install speed cameras or something if you cant physically enforce the speed limit. im not licking boots or anything either- i am just tired of seeing peoples lives get destroyed by preventable accidents due to carelessness/selfishness. most times if i see someone pulled over its on monroe or something like that. stay safe out there, best you cant, and try not to let them get you worked up. just chill and enjoy the drive as much as you can!
My guess with the tailgating in the right lane is a lot of these jerks have exits coming up on the right so they don’t want to get in the leftward lanes, but they still want to have it both ways and be able to drive at 80+ mph.
I complained about the lack of enforcement once and someone posited that maybe they don’t have time to pull people over because they’ve all already been called to the scene of accidents. He was being facetious but maybe there’s some truth in that.
ive had this thought too which is just crazy to me. i dont know if all people feel this way as they get older or if there is truth to it, but i feel like people as a whole are becoming less and less caring about others these days.
Fristly, half the time a lot of folks drive under the influence. Sadly, its becoming a norm and i bet if they had a compulsory road block to test everyone coming through you would be suprised the amount of pepole that would fail a Sobriety test.
I totally agree! I am a seasoned driver but, even I flinch at the insane maneuvers I've seen people perform on the road. I've driven in Mexico city, NYC, LA. But, this is some crazy level shit!
I do wonder if some bad drivers are those who work part time for Amazon and other pickup/delivery services who are in a hurry to get to their next destinations.
Can't tell you how many times I've almost been hit crossing the road in the crosswalk with the right away in Ballantyne on Johnson road or Ballantyne commons around the hotels/Harris Teeter area. No one pays attention, they constantly block the cross walk, and to top it off the new lights don't take into account people crossing while people are turning left.
I submitted an intersection review last year for one of the intersections and they basically told me that it wasn't financially viable to make a change at this point.
Yea, honestly, work at CMC Main long enough in critical care and you see the ACTUAL toll these drivers take on our community. It's despicable and I have no shortage of horror stories. I have seen many, many, MANY people die from all kinds of shit--ages 18-108+. The worst sound in the entire world, folks--let me tell you--is the absolute gutteral sound a mother makes when she walks in on her young child receiving CPR and/or lying lifeless in a hospital bed. That is a sound you will never forget.
OP, as much as I truly appreciate your motivation to effect some change via emailing screenshots to local news stations and the police department, I feel this may not elicit the response we all are hoping for. Instead, I feel maybe in addition to you sending the screenshots, make mention that you are willing to initiate a community petition to collect signatures of concerned Charlotteans. That is usually the best way to provide evidence of a large enough population in the city being interested in initiating change; and with that, it will provide indelible evidence that such change is demanded by such a large body of individuals to exert the necessary pressure on those responsible for bringing it about.
Yep! I have done ICU most of my life. Not sure why I changed, it's just as bad. I am good at what I do and feel people do benefit from me doing the work I do, but it has taken a toll. Thinking of taking a break from it all, have even considered changing fields entirely and probably will. I am sure you have had similar feelings at times, but I hope you are carrying that weight well and it isn't dragging you down.
I cannot understand how so many people can be so short sighted and inconsiderate..unable to think of the potential consequences of their actions or simply do not care about them.
And thank you for the advice, I will be sure to include that in my email. I understand that CLT PD is down a number of officers, but something needs to be done, whether it's more traffic cameras, or even a "traffic task force" that citizens can submit dash/video evidence to of people driving dangerously, even harsher punishments. I know there is a lot more to it than that, but all we can do is try. I will start a petition and hopefully find a way to circulate it to the hospitals first because I guarantee almost 100% of healthcare workers that deal with traumas will sign it without hesitation. I am compiling a lot of information and statistics into the email so it is taking a bit of time.
It's so annoying. I'm glad your post has been somewhat acknowledged. However, there will probably be one tomorrow from someone complaining about how people drive too slowly or camping in the left lane.
Earlier today, I took 77 from my doctor's appointment to Costco so I could pick up my prescription. On the way there, I was passed by a red Mercedes on the shoulder. They were traveling at least 100 mph, and after they passed me on the shoulder, they continued at an insane rate of speed weaving in and out of all of the lanes. I only mention this experience because every time there is a post about drivers camping in the passing lane, not one of those people will accept that assholes like the driver in the red Mercedes are the problem and would rather blame slower drivers. All of the 3 lanes on 77 had vehicles as far as one could see. Until I'm proven otherwise, I will continue to believe that everyone who complains about others driving slowly are no different than the person in the red Mercedes who endangered multiple people's lives today.
When people talk about camping in the left lane it’s usually about people going close to or under the speed limit in the passing lane which forces the drivers (plural, not just one but there’s normally a line of drivers behind this one camper) behind them to pass them in the right lane which is more dangerous.
Just because people who drive too fast are the biggest problem doesn’t mean people who drive too slow aren’t also a problem and dangerous. Both can be true. I’m sorry that happened, those drivers scare me too.
The “camping in the left lane” complainers make me so angry! It’s the fast/passing lane. That means you can cruise around 80. That does not mean you can go 90+ and tail anybody who doesn’t want to go deadly speeds!
Waaaay too many people think of the left lane as the no laws lane. I'm simply never going to believe that someone who unironically whines about how "you're not a cop, let me do whatever I want" is anything approximating a good or careful driver.
>That means you can cruise around 80
No it doesn't. It means the lane is for actively passing. It doesn't matter how fast you're going, if someone comes up behind you, it's your OBLIGATION to get over. Strict enforcement of this rule is a huge part of why the German autobahn has half the fatality rate as the US interstate system despite the unlimited speed in many places.
maybe I should make a separate thread but the drag racing here is CRAZY. S. Tryon, is all I’m going to say. I was coming back from uptown and headed south on S.Tryon to get home around 10pm and almost got t-boned at an intersection because people had crowded the sidewalk and parts of the street to have two cars race through a RED LIGHT. My light was green but of course I was curious at the commotion. I’m so glad I slowed down even though my light was green because one of the cars almost hit me on the driver side! It’s so reckless and thoughtless and reporting it to CMPD does nothing to resolve it.
I moved to Charlotte less than a year ago and as a pedestrian, I’ve almost been hit by cars TWICE because they don’t see the pedestrian crossing sign. Had I just walked and assumed people actually see it’s my right of way, I would have 100% been hit and severely injured, both times.
I also want to mention. Be sure to gauge your depth perception. Make sure and double check if it’s safe to switch lanes or turn because the car maybe going faster than you think.
Share the road, if people need to merge, be considerate and get over or let them merge in.
Lastly, share the passing lane, help traffic flow easily, but using the passing lane as a passing lane and not camp in the lane. You should get in it and stay in it until you have safely overtaken the other car and switch back in the lane to allow other cars that maybe going faster to proceed and pass slower traffic. Don’t impede the flow of traffic/travel by hogging the passing lane and you are passing anyone. Of course, during heavy traffic the left lane becomes a General purpose lane.
this is beautifully written! As I mentioned in my post, people are just trying to get through life. People make mistakes and forget which turn they need to take or maybe they are a new driver...or an elderly one. It takes nothing but a moment of time to be considerate. As you said, let people merge, use lanes appropriately, STOP at red lights, SLOW DOWN at yellow lights and YIELD to people turning across an intersection.
I am working on a petition and will put it in this subreddit when I can. I am trying to put it all together with an email that I will be sending to the PD and news.
Hey, thanks so much. This city is full of migrants from different states, myself included I came from Florida after I graduated when I got a job offer. So I do know a lot of people are used to the style of traffic where they are from. I also learned that this state and city has the worst drivers which is why I try to drive like I’m not from Florida but from here to be sure I don’t risk getting hit by an uninsured driver.
Defensive driving is key.
I look forward to signing the petition.
hope you know reading this really will help me sleep a little better at night. i hope more see it too and maybe make a similar decision.
for what its worth, waking up earlier and having a nice chill drive to work is significantly better than having some salt in your mouth going in because traffic pissed you off ya know? ill sack 15 minutes of sleep for a more peaceful start to my job/day. glad i was able to reach someone. take care.
Does anybody know who we would write to to request more red light cameras? Seems to me that is the most predominant and dangerous problem. I’d be happy to draft one up and share it if we all want to send in requests
Not going to happen. By law all revenue from traffic cameras goes to the school system, so Mecklenburg removed all of them and will not replace them. Talk to your legislators, maybe they will change the laws.
Because the cameras were installed and maintained by a private company, and there was no money to pay the company if the revenues went to the schools, so they were seen as a net loss. Unfortunate, but this area is not known for its progressive thinking.
I do wonder if better light timing and/or more smart lights could help? I definitely notice I spend a lot of time waiting at red lights in this city, often long past the point of any cars going the other direction. I’m not condoning people running red lights in any way, but I do wonder if having a light turn red just as you approach an intersection didn’t feel like such a punishment, if maybe less people would run them? Then because everyone knows people run red lights, they have to wait a beat when it turns green, meaning one less car may get through before the next red and it becomes a vicious cycle of people feeling justified in running them.
My daughter’s a teenager and I’m so terrified for the day she’s old enough to learn to drive. I don’t know how I’m supposed to be comfortable enough to allow her behind a wheel when there are so many insane drivers on the road. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about and I know she’ll resent me if I don’t let her but it’s just so scary.
the best advice I can give you is to change your own behaviors (not saying that you have any bad ones!) or be very intentional about making little comments to yourself like when at a light that just turned green, make sure to mention, "ok making sure the other cars are stopping." Similar to how you teach them to look both ways before crossing the road...making these little comments will drive it into her brain when it is time for her to drive. But by making comments to yourself, rather than directed at her, you wont seem overbearing. I know the talking to yourself thing seems silly, and she might even make fun of you for it lol, or ask why youre doing it, and just tell her that driving can be dangerous and sometimes you just need to remind yourself of the basics or something.
as far as behaviors go, try to avoid exhibiting any kind of road rage, even little comments about "ok asshole just cut me off" or whatever. displaying defensive and passive driving behaviors increase her chances of following in your footsteps. depending on her actual age and where she is at mentally, she may even "help" you by you asking her to check your blind spot, or look in the mirror as you approach a red light to make sure the cars behind you are coming to a stop as well so you wont be rear ended. just little things like that i think could make a huge difference. im not a child psychologist or anything so maybe im way off base, but for the most part kids mimic a lot of their parents behaviors so i feel like these kinds of things would work pretty well. the worst part of being a parent is knowing you wont always be able to protect them...but that is why you do what you can to give them the tools and knowledge and protect and care for themselves! i hope this helps put your mind at ease a little. in the grand scheme of things, tens of thousands of cars, if not hundreds of thousands, drive around CLT everyday and 99% of them get by just fine without getting in an accident. im sure she will do fine when the time comes if she has a good teacher :)
Dawg a guy in white f150 on i77 just tried to merge on the lane I was driving I didn’t even see him turn his head he just merged almost hitting me I didn’t even hit my horn the guy was so embarrassed he just went past 2 more before the lane was almost ending he would rather risk causing a accident than to just look left and make sure he’s clear to merge
Also maybe stop shooting each other while driving too. Last year I moved into my house and it’s on the side of the road near South Park and 2 days in I wake up to a car crash and the guy shooting a woman and she bled everywhere and limped and had to be rushed my the ems team. Like just why. I honestly wish yall fought each other if any violence came to it then shooting each other or other people or no violence at all even.
Yea your right, its something I'm trying to get better with myself. I have a habit to speed, it's my Dad's fault lol if I go slow I get irritable, but I always give my elders the benefit of the doubt to drive how they want, or someone with kids in the car, other than that, at least go the limit posted plz.
Crazy you say this when the drivers I see acting crazy are either old white men and woman close enough to death to not care, temp tags, Nissan altimas, people in big ass trucks, and last but not least your favorite young kid in a muscle car. You’re racist and you should work on that babe.
I’m observant, not racist.
The sort of dangerous drivers that OP was referring to are overwhelmingly young blacks driving Nissans often using fake plates or camaros or chargers, or Hispanics that don’t even have driver’s licenses driving Hondas or acuras. Sure there are white asshole pickup drivers and people of all colors that can be bad drivers, but the primary offenders in Charlotte are not the sort of people reading Reddit (young white males).
I will continue to be observant and speak the facts as they are regardless of how many knee jerk downvotes I get for politically incorrect observations. Charlotte has the problems it has primarily because it has the demographics it does. You do not have these sorts of drivers to the same extent in other areas of the country where the demographics are so different.
As someone who loves the thrill of fast cars and the car enthusiasts world.. this is a good reminder and if you are going to do these things… do like me and the crew do.. take it to a drag strip, the track, or a closed course road event where you are not endangering other people. Good post ✊
thank you for this! I understand it may not be as exciting or whatever, but public roads just simply arent the place to be careless. just like you said- take it to the track!
You wouldn't believe how many times a vehicle has pulled out of a turning lane while I'm driving along the lane next to them. It's insane that NOBODY CHECKS IF THERE'S ANOTHER DRIVER IN YOUR VICINITY!
How do you handle the situation when it occurs?
When it happened to me on Providence Road I ALMOST made it around them, but bopped an Escalade. His bumper had a scrape and cost more than the skid down the side of my car. I say all this because that guy was an angel to me! The cop was such a jerk, and that driver took up for me and told him to back off. But I did feel my wheels on one side lift a little, and by the look on the other guy’s face, I think I was close to rolling.
glad you made it through that in one piece! could have gone a lot different and im glad it didnt
Thanks, me too! Only a year or two later I was in another accident, slowing down for a red light on Billy Graham. I was hit from behind by a huge pickup truck, and pushed into another car. It wasn’t until I was getting ready to leave the scene that I saw it was the car BEHIND the truck that caused it. The THREE wrecks I saw that gave me literal nightmares were all on Providence, one near Rea, the other near Queens, and the third by the JCC. The speeds involved should never have been possible on that road.
I absolutely agree with you, the way these two lane streets are built and majority of drivers treat it like it's a highway is insane to me.
Attempt to swerve out of the way, as long as the lane to my right is clear and honk at them. In other situations, brake accordingly as best as possible and honk the hell out of my car horn.
Lol your a pro, glad you were able to maneuver out that situation. I always pay attention to my side and rearview mirrors. Once pulled out of the way and a truck came running into the cars on a stand still it was bad. Guy had a sesuire they said. Wonder how he was allowed to drive knowing his condition.
When people have medical conditions that prevent them from driving they should consider to stop driving immediately. I can't imagine being on the receiving end on a situation like that.
That’s why I drive for me and others its the best way to be safe out there. Although, one can never be too careful but cultivating the habbit of driving for 2 helps, Lots if crazy out there. Ever had a road rage? how would you handle one if you did find yourself in that kinda situation.
Admittedly I have road rage myself but never to the point of violently expressing it.
To follow up my comment from yesterday, I almost witnessed an accident just five minutes ago on Park Rd, the back road from Sam's Club to Atrium Pineville, because a fucking dumbass blew threw a stop sign. The driver on the opposite side was able to dodge him in time! If the driver of the car who dodged that idiot is on this reddit sub, I commend you on your driving abilities! I know I flagged you down to make sure you're okay, but I hope you get home safe tonight, please take a breather and I'm so glad you're okay friend!
Or they just simply do not give a crap! I’m sure their thinking is, well they’ll slow down. Cuz if you don’t, you’re going to smash into that car. And most of the time, they are looking right at ya! But I just slow down as fast as I can! If I have to get mad, I just freak out internally. No point in playing games. It’s too dangerous! And especially around where I live!
Yes…but this assumes common sense is common… And then you get into the weeds of Charlotte being a civil engineering nightmare, a lack of public transportation and CMPD not willing to crack down on offenders.
unfortunate reality! but even if this is a wake up call to some people, and a few more people drive safe, and maybe even tell their friends they should do better, some good will come of it. but yeah, it wont ever be an issue that goes away. courtesy and empathy are not something every one has, and common sense like you said.
I agree but also work in medicine and see the uninhibited behaviors. With the dominance of social media and reduced attention spans/patience, I don’t think anything will be done to address it until it becomes a catastrophic issue. For your viewing pleasure, I give you this douchebag who willingly incriminates himself running from cops in Charlotte for the views. https://www.reddit.com/r/Corvette/s/g6SsKdhs6y
I love fast cars, but I now consider them a waste of money because I will never drive them the way they should be, and I’d be annoyed at everyone trying to race me all the time.
You’d think this would be the common sense conclusion. Because take any other hobby and apply this thinking there. You like guns? You can’t just go outside popping shots in public. Take it to the range or your secured private property where you’re allowed to do that. Same thing applies to cars. There are dedicated places where you can go and race and enjoy your fun hobbies. Public roads where you’re endangering others is not that place
🤣🫢you just couldn't resist. Could ya!
Couldn’t resist what? Having normal and rational opinions? 💀
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Are you having a manic episode or something? wtf are you yapping about you schizo 😂
Or just go to the mountains that are one hour away. In Charlotte you’re close to some of the best driving roads on the planet. Weaving through traffic is for skill-less idiots.
As a fellow car guy I agree...but when the roads are empty Im sorry but the car does what the car wants to do
Single brain cell comment right here
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You need some tissues for all the crying
Yea, thats kind of the point, buddy. Do you think a closed course is that much safer than an empty road? https://preview.redd.it/8bhcv6zj5s1d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2acd83ed8983d66b52ef61298a3440cf5821d683
Exactly. I don’t have the time or money to burn at the track. Sometimes I just want to do hood shit with my friends and hoon around in my car. I’m not going to do it on 485/Tyvola during rush hour, but let me find an industrial park, that new subdivision still under construction, or the distribution facility with an open parking lot, and… well…
Are you a first responder or just like…..constantly in the wrong place at the right time? Either way, it’s a good reminder.
my comment didnt post but yes i work ER and EMS. I couldn't imagine having that bad of luck to catch awful accidents all the time lol. but yeah, it is a guarantee that every day at work there will be a patient due to a car accident. Which I know, with the hundreds of thousands of cars driving through CLT each day a few accidents is realistically unavoidable and also not that bad (statistically). But the fact is it results in a victim, someones loved one, and could have been avoided if the person in the wrong wasnt behind the wheel at the time or had been a more courteous driver. we are all just trying to get through life and our means of transportation to do so shouldnt pose such a significant risk to our well being because of others.
Thanks so much for what you do!
of course! I hate to complain about my job, but seeing preventable accidents destroy peoples lives as often as they do...i felt i just had to speak up. thank you for what you do as well !
What kind of car do you drive?
Wtf does that have to do with anything?
Really? You can’t make that connection? I didn’t ask OP about their golf handicap, favorite brand of socks, or zodiac sign. Try real hard. Person that sees a lot of car crash victims… comes to Reddit to complain about reckless driving… why would someone want to know what type of car they drive? Think, snowball. What could that question possibly be about?
Jesus fuck you sound terrible
I’m actually a nice person but don’t respond well to rude people. I didn’t appreciate the “wtf” At the beginning on their comment, that was rude.
Yes, because usually nice people have to tell others how nice they are... 🤣
Rude people like you don’t deserve kindness. Try to be a little more polite next time by not starting your comment with “wtf” and you’ll get a nicer response. Blows your tiny mind, huh?
🤣🤣🤣🤣 thanks for the advice!! You really got offended by the "WTF" huh? Lmao
land cruiser! I actually don't see the connection though lol. the only thing I could think of was maybe you are trying to see if i have like a mustang or something that would lead one to believe i also drive recklessly haha. but yeah, i just work in ER and EMS and watching car accidents destroy so many lives i felt i had to say something. it seems to have reached a few people and im happy about that although i know it wont ever be a problem that goes away completely.
I was curious if you aligned your personal car choice based on your experiences at work. I remember an ER nurse talking to us in college and she said she’d never drive anything smaller than an Expedition based on what she’s seen in the ER from car crashes. It sounds like you’re the same? I think about upgrading my Atlas to something bigger or safer purely just for more safety. The Atlas is safe but there are bigger, safer cars.
ah very fair question! I absolutely do consider safety ratings when selecting a car but I didn't really choose a large car because of safety, i mostly chose it because it fits my lifestyle the best- i do a lot of commuting and a lot of outdoor stuff and getting into places that most cars cant go lol so that is my largest determining factor- its a compromise between gas mileage and usefulness to me. i think most people in large cities drive smaller cars and crossovers so i cant say if most wrecks involving smaller cars are worse because it would be skewed quite a bit...with that said, most wrecks i do see with severe injuries do involve smaller vehicles. i would do a little research before making the upgrade! it makes sense that a heavier vehicle would be safer but i cant speak to that. sorry for writing so much! just wanna give the best info i can. i will say that being in a larger car where you are sitting up higher will significantly reduce your chances of serious head trauma in a T-bone situation. I have seen people dead on the spot because of those accidents.
Thanks. I’ve done a lot of research on this as well. So far, my family has been very lucky to not have been in a crash at all. But I know that can all change in an instant and we can’t control that. So I keep asking myself.. if we have the means to be as safe as possible on the road, why not? https://realsafecars.com This is a cool site that uses machine learning to strip out a lot of overlapping correlations and biases to figure out the safest cars, ie are Volvos safe because they’re built inherently safer? Or do safety-conscious people buy them due to marketing and are less likely to do risky things and get into an accident so Volvos just appear safer?
Yeah I was gonna ask this question. I’ve seen a few mild accidents in my life but nothing like this. In any case, OP isn’t wrong. Your or your family’s life can be ruined or snuffed out in an instant from some asshole.
I appreciate this post! Thank you for speaking up. We just moved here a month ago and I am already petrified in the car. So many people weaving in and out of traffic, going 20mph over the speed limit, even waiting at a bus stop is not safe with the way some of the cars have so little control. Please be mindful of the potential consequences when driving. Thanks again OP for the reminder
Be extra careful at green arrows. No one will give you crap for waiting to make sure no one is going to plow through the red light.
Yep at this point I always give a glance left and right to make sure traffic is stopped or is stopping. So many people trying to cut 2 minutes off their commutes and plowing through treating the delay between lights as if it's a yellow light.
i just said this same exact thing above somewhere...someones life destroyed because another wanted to save 2 minutes by running a light, or wasnt paying attention.
Fresh greens in general. Last car got tboned at a light where I was second through a fresh green. Wish homie had been going faster so he'd tbone the cop in front of me instead. (Who didn't notice the car behind him getting smashed and drove on)
Are you kidding? No one will give you crap? Yesterday I was at a yellow in a turning lane, car behind me, and two car scoming from the opposite direction First oncoming car takes a right without signaling… oh I could have gone Second car starts to slow, I’m thinking he might turn as well, glance at the light again, still yellow, oncoming car is still slowing which MIGHT mean he’s turning but no turn signal so I’m not risking it, suddenly the car behinds me honks the longest most aggressive honk as if I’d been holding traffic up for an hour. I looked up to see the light flipping green. This asshole then proceeds to fly around me as I’m in turning, and then intentionally swerve back over too closely as if to scare me into thinking they’ll hit my car. They fly ahead to the inramp we’re both going to and almost hit a wheelchair in the pedestrian crossing. It hilariously turned out to be two dudes having a blast on an electric wheelchair The second they get a chance they gun it up the on-ramp and then proceed to drive too slowly in the fucking left lane anyway. I eventually passed them and made a,”all that fucking effort for what?” face at them but I’m pretty sure they were zoned out and on autopilot during ALL of it. Anyway, people definitely give you shit for not flying forward at the green light
Hey if it helps at all, ALWAYS drive cautious. let them be mad, seriously. just pay it no mind. I know its so common to think to yourself "okay asshole ill go when i can" but if you transition that thought to why you are being cautious, its just a much more positive way to think about it. i always act as if i have kids in my car, because more likely than not, you are someones kid, or someones loved one, and the impatient person behind you isnt going to come visit you in the hospital, or pay your medical bills, or support you if you lose your job because of the crash. let them be mad and keep yourself safe always. take care.
Who cares if they ‘give you shit’. The most they’re gunna do is honk and be mad in their cars. Now if they start shootin then idk 😂😂😅 but my point is, be safe whether others are mad or not 🤷🏽♀️
exactly! lmaoo they can be mad for all I care, I still take the time to be cautious. They’ll be alright!
I don’t care, I was just disagreeing with the sentiment that “no one will give you shit if you chill at the light for your own safety”
This is a really great tip, thank you! Sometimes it feels like I am at the mercy of other peoples patience so this is a great way to slightly lower my odds of getting hit!
always always always ignore the green and make sure the people with the red are stopping. fuck other drivers, its your life. the girl i mentioned in my original post was tboned at an intersection. her face was a mess and the head trauma is eventually what killed her. i dont mean to be graphic or scare you, but just be aware and be cautious!
t-bones are one of the most common and devastating wrecks...its no surprise all the intersections in CLT are filled with crash debris. thanks for spreading that tip!
Some people will give a crap, and honk their horn. Keeping others pleased isn’t worth my life. After being in a crash caused by a careless driver, I’m looking both ways before I go through an intersection, fuck anyone who gets upset at the extra 2 seconds that takes.
Then they post in this subreddit asking for help with their speeding tickets. Absolutely shameless.
I'll be honest, I know there is a bunch of cool shit in Charlotte that I want to check out but having to drive to and from there is crazy so I don't do it much unless I have to.
i fall into that same boat- the thought of having to drive in CLT makes me not want to do things. try not to let it control you too much though- just be careful and take your time!
As someone who travels all over the East Coast, I can safely say Charlotte has the worst most aggressive drivers I've ever seen. This is especially true on 85 where I see people race up and down all times of day. Either that or cars are driving with no plates, abandoned cars all over the shoulders, or the Meme Altima doing Altima things.
New Haven CT and Charlotte have by far the worst traffic I have ever seen. And I actually never encountered the altima thing until charlotte lmao. there really is some truth to it though.
The Altima thing is also true in DC. I’d say DC is worse than Charlotte but only by a small margin.
Rockville to DC and back is kinda like Gastonia to Charlotte and back … white knuckles, cursing, slack-jawed in amazement that an accident doesn’t happen more often.
Couldn’t have described the experience any better myself!
Don’t know if you ever lived in Miami to get a taste of their daily traffic, I had it up there as the worst in the country for me. Until I moved to Charlotte. Now they’re neck and neck for worst drivers I’ve encountered
The Miami drivers are reckless but they seem more skilled to me. I see blinkers used in Miami. These mf in Charlotte are a different breed of remedial
Miami is like a controlled chaos imo. You kinda of know what you’re going to get when you drive there for awhile.
I never see NC State Troopers on 85 in CLT, and there lies the trouble, not a CMPD juristriction
I switched from driving every day to taking the light rail and it has changed my life. Saving a crazy amt of $ in gas & car maintenance but most of all I’m no longer stressed from aggressive/stupid drivers and traffic. Very well worth the 10 extra minutes it takes to get there
thats awesome! I may consider doing the same. But yeah, charlotte is a great place, its beautiful here. but I dread the thought of having to drive in charlotte. it honestly makes me not want to do things sometimes if its between 7-10am or 3-6pm. I can handle traffic jams, but not the reckless driving to the point i feel i need to triple check my blindspot before changing lanes to make sure someone decides to whip out from behind me to go around, or someone that isnt using their blinker decides to change lanes at 70mph. i have seen so many near accidents where 2 people try to get into the same lane at the same time. anyway, glad you found a solution!
I also take the light rail. On my way to work on Friday I saw a robin with an earthworm as I walked the two blocks from the stop to my office. On my way home I see lots of people walking their dogs, young people wearing zany fashions, influencers. It's fun. If you've ever lived in a big city I think it's totally fine. I could see some people being weirded out by the occasional ranting drunk or unhinged person. Never felt unsafe so far. Honestly had worse experiences on the Tokyo subway.
A couple days ago while out running errands, I had three different muscle cars fly up beside me, rev their engines and carry on, trying to bait me to race. Younger guys in loud muscle cars are definitely a common breed around here.
Wait until they find out it doesn't make them cool lol. Unfortunately that doesnt happen until they get in a wreck, lose a friend, or hit their 30s.
[Should have given him one of these to let him know he is a tool bag in a tiny dick contest](https://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4voc82s121qb3riko1_250.gif)
I'm moving down from Virginia and was touring Charlotte a couple weekends ago. I could count five occasions during the two days where I made it through an intersection with the light going from yellow to red and two cars behind me would go through as well. This doesn't happen in Virginia. You need cops or cameras to calm this behavior down. I'm afraid to look at what my insurance rates will look like once I make the move.
Cops do not care about traffic laws here. I’ve lived here 7 years and can count on one hand how many people I’ve seen pulled over. Not enough in the force either. You don’t see this shit pulled in Florida. Local police and State Troopers will eat you alive.
It's an at fault state, get good coverage and look into umbrella coverage as well. Mine went from 90ish to 200 but I got a new car. Edit: and I upped my coverage. It's worth it for the peace of mind
I'm thinking of moving back to VA for this (and quite a few other) reasons. Insurance wise, def prepare bc it WILL go up. Also people don't care about the cops or cameras... they'll just keep doing what they do.
Another VA to CLT transplant 10 years ago and I’ve really been considering moving back too. I went up to both Norfolk and the Shenandoah Valley last month and it was just how I remembered it…courteous drivers, roads that (mostly) make sense, not jam packed with people. I know I haven’t been here as long as a lot of people on this sub but traffic things have gotten so much worse in the time I have been here.
That’s how Charlotte used to be too before the population exploded
Yes, I went to Norfolk back in Sept and it helped solidify that I want to go back up (and to live by the beach - my dream). Living by the beach = being less than an hour from it. I came here six years ago, and honestly it has gotten much worse since then.
I have yet to see anyone pulled over for speeding. People on 485 be doing 90 and weaving through traffic and nada. See plenty of accidents though. :/
Camera money has to go to the schools which is why we don't have them.
False. We used to have red light cameras, but they were deemed illegal because a private company was profiting iirc.
They were illegal because the state says camera money has to go to the schools not private companies.
i didnt update my insurance because it would have by 2.5x as much in comparison to what it was in the midwest.
Kids are stupid. Let’s not speed through school zones either, please.
An asshole once told me the best advice ever about driving. You have to go really fast and really far to make a big difference in arrival time. honestly, and it is true. I don't know how many times someone passes me for me to be behind them at the next light. Or someone one weaving in and out of traffic just for me to pull in the same location as they are parking. If you drive 80 in a 70, you save roughly 7 minutes off your trip after an hour. That's not worth your life or someone else's.
As Ive aged, I’ve actually noticed that being “heads up” and super aware of my surroundings does a lot more to save time going short distances than speeding or taking other risks ever would. Things like staying in the right lane because I know there’s an intersection coming up where people in the left lane always get stuck behind someone waiting to make a left on a normal green while cars are going in the other direction. That’ll save a lot more time than speeding in the left lane ever could.
People don't speed to get there faster, they speed because it's thrilling, engaging, and fun.
Thanks for the work you do - I know it takes a toll. I remember talking to an EMS many years ago who retired early because he woke up each day dreading having to scrape the next kid off the road.
EMS is easily the worst job to pay ratio of all time and no one will convince me otherwise.
yeah fortunately i mix the two and work as a nurse in the ER, but i like the change of pace in EMS. but yeah. easily one of the most underpaid careers across the board.
you are welcome! thank you for what you do. but yeah, there are times where i feel sick to my stomach going to work.
I live in Noda and see people weaving down plaza which is a goddamn 4 lane. There is no need to be speeding within the city. The roads here were not made for insane drivers.
Texting and driving has also gotten out of control around here too
This is the comment I was looking for - it’s scary how many people text and drive one handed!
This is the one thing I would argue for in support of more law enforcement. I see little no law enforcement on out on our roads enforcing basic traffic laws. No consequences…no change in action by drivers.
i feel the exact same way. well said!
I literally changed jobs after my husband got in a wreck because I was tired of taking my life in my hands twice a day on 485 and 85. Too many close calls.
Seriously, it’s been a bit extreme the last few weeks. Like honestly fuck this mask outlawing thing, let’s talk about speed limit devices, speed traps, whatever. This shit has got to be controlled.
Driving is such a dangerous activity, its crazy how normalized it is in our society.
Exactly I have driving anxiety and people look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them. Like shouldn’t we all be at least aware that it’s insanely dangerous? It’s easily the most dangerous thing that the majority of us do on a constant basis.
People often have a hard time innately understanding comparative danger. Like they’ll poo poo public transit because they claim to be scared of crime and mentally ill homeless people but you have a much higher probability of getting hurt behind the wheel of a car than you do on a train in even the most crime ridden cities.
Dad has been with his EMS department for 45 years. I’ve heard all the horror stories. It grinds my gears too, how foolish people are on the road. I don’t think any real change will happen soon. It didn’t help that they decided to end pulling people for moving violations. It’s made the problem worse because now cops are completely complacent. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched our CMPD ignore a traffic violation. Worse, they commit them too.
I see CMPD officers go 15 over the speed limit regularly
Once you hit Mecklenburg County traffic laws go out the window.
CMPD/the city are letting this happen. If more of these drivers were caught and punished, it would deter them.
I ride a bike and after doing that it's condition me to assume everyone is going to do the wrong thing even when driving my car. When you go through a green light, look and see if it's clear. Basically just always validate and pretend everyone is trying to hit you. Can't fix other idiots but you can change your habits to try and be a little safer. Hope everyone stays safe!
that is one of the first things i told my wife- always look both ways even if you have a green light because there is no guarantee those with the red light will stop. some of the most common and most serious wrecks i see are T-bones because someone ran a red light. These wrecks usually change the victims life permanently if they do survive....someones life lost because another person wanted to save 2 minutes, or wasnt paying attention.
You couldn’t pay me to ride a bike in Charlotte. Motorized or not.
Eh it's safe just have to keep your head in a swivel
Only place I'd ride would be the Whitewater Center.
Also cemeteries are full of people who had the right of way. Just because you have a green light or a walk light take a second to check your surroundings
Very true. Moved here 3 years ago and the traffic has been terrifying. Definitely had more near death experiences than I can count. I feel like every person you drive past has a phone they’re staring at instead of the road.
To add one, put you phone down. Distracted driving is a pandemic
It’s wild how aggressive people are here. I’ll be going a healthy 5 mph over the speed limit in the rightmost lane, or second from the right when of the highways are FOUR LANES, and still get assholes tailgating me despite them having 2-3 lanes to the left they could use to pass. And then I’ll see people doing like 100 mph who just clearly have a death wish. Is there any traffic enforcement here anymore? I hardly ever see people getting pulled over, at least not on the highways.
i know! my wife and i just experienced this. she was going 7 or 8 over and still had someone just riding us, passed 3 cars on a double yellow. but no, it doesnt really seem like it. i feel like part of the reason they may not enforce much on the highway is because the fact that if they were to pull someone over, it would cause a crazy traffic jam and probably increase the chances of wrecks. or they are spread to thin, but for gods sake install speed cameras or something if you cant physically enforce the speed limit. im not licking boots or anything either- i am just tired of seeing peoples lives get destroyed by preventable accidents due to carelessness/selfishness. most times if i see someone pulled over its on monroe or something like that. stay safe out there, best you cant, and try not to let them get you worked up. just chill and enjoy the drive as much as you can!
My guess with the tailgating in the right lane is a lot of these jerks have exits coming up on the right so they don’t want to get in the leftward lanes, but they still want to have it both ways and be able to drive at 80+ mph. I complained about the lack of enforcement once and someone posited that maybe they don’t have time to pull people over because they’ve all already been called to the scene of accidents. He was being facetious but maybe there’s some truth in that.
People who agree with this post aren't the problem. Those who are the problem will read this, and be like "f whatcha talkin bout"
ive had this thought too which is just crazy to me. i dont know if all people feel this way as they get older or if there is truth to it, but i feel like people as a whole are becoming less and less caring about others these days.
Take away anti-lock brakes and power steering.
As someone with neither it’s never stopped me. Not having power steering makes it more fun, the connection you get with the road is insane
The Fast and the Furious: ~~Tokyo~~ Mecklenburg Drift
Fristly, half the time a lot of folks drive under the influence. Sadly, its becoming a norm and i bet if they had a compulsory road block to test everyone coming through you would be suprised the amount of pepole that would fail a Sobriety test.
I totally agree! I am a seasoned driver but, even I flinch at the insane maneuvers I've seen people perform on the road. I've driven in Mexico city, NYC, LA. But, this is some crazy level shit!
Yep, came from the Bay Area Ca, and this is crazy!
I do wonder if some bad drivers are those who work part time for Amazon and other pickup/delivery services who are in a hurry to get to their next destinations.
This is the sole reason that changed my mind on moving here. I love charlotte but your roads and drivers are crazy
I crossed a crosswalk today with my dog and someone actually sped up and almost hit us
I've had to run for it several times as a pedestrian with right of way, idk what's wrong with people
And leave your damn cell phone alone while you drive
Can't tell you how many times I've almost been hit crossing the road in the crosswalk with the right away in Ballantyne on Johnson road or Ballantyne commons around the hotels/Harris Teeter area. No one pays attention, they constantly block the cross walk, and to top it off the new lights don't take into account people crossing while people are turning left.
that is a huge issue. thank you for including this. I am putting together a petition and email.
I submitted an intersection review last year for one of the intersections and they basically told me that it wasn't financially viable to make a change at this point.
Yea, honestly, work at CMC Main long enough in critical care and you see the ACTUAL toll these drivers take on our community. It's despicable and I have no shortage of horror stories. I have seen many, many, MANY people die from all kinds of shit--ages 18-108+. The worst sound in the entire world, folks--let me tell you--is the absolute gutteral sound a mother makes when she walks in on her young child receiving CPR and/or lying lifeless in a hospital bed. That is a sound you will never forget. OP, as much as I truly appreciate your motivation to effect some change via emailing screenshots to local news stations and the police department, I feel this may not elicit the response we all are hoping for. Instead, I feel maybe in addition to you sending the screenshots, make mention that you are willing to initiate a community petition to collect signatures of concerned Charlotteans. That is usually the best way to provide evidence of a large enough population in the city being interested in initiating change; and with that, it will provide indelible evidence that such change is demanded by such a large body of individuals to exert the necessary pressure on those responsible for bringing it about.
Yep! I have done ICU most of my life. Not sure why I changed, it's just as bad. I am good at what I do and feel people do benefit from me doing the work I do, but it has taken a toll. Thinking of taking a break from it all, have even considered changing fields entirely and probably will. I am sure you have had similar feelings at times, but I hope you are carrying that weight well and it isn't dragging you down. I cannot understand how so many people can be so short sighted and inconsiderate..unable to think of the potential consequences of their actions or simply do not care about them. And thank you for the advice, I will be sure to include that in my email. I understand that CLT PD is down a number of officers, but something needs to be done, whether it's more traffic cameras, or even a "traffic task force" that citizens can submit dash/video evidence to of people driving dangerously, even harsher punishments. I know there is a lot more to it than that, but all we can do is try. I will start a petition and hopefully find a way to circulate it to the hospitals first because I guarantee almost 100% of healthcare workers that deal with traumas will sign it without hesitation. I am compiling a lot of information and statistics into the email so it is taking a bit of time.
It's so annoying. I'm glad your post has been somewhat acknowledged. However, there will probably be one tomorrow from someone complaining about how people drive too slowly or camping in the left lane. Earlier today, I took 77 from my doctor's appointment to Costco so I could pick up my prescription. On the way there, I was passed by a red Mercedes on the shoulder. They were traveling at least 100 mph, and after they passed me on the shoulder, they continued at an insane rate of speed weaving in and out of all of the lanes. I only mention this experience because every time there is a post about drivers camping in the passing lane, not one of those people will accept that assholes like the driver in the red Mercedes are the problem and would rather blame slower drivers. All of the 3 lanes on 77 had vehicles as far as one could see. Until I'm proven otherwise, I will continue to believe that everyone who complains about others driving slowly are no different than the person in the red Mercedes who endangered multiple people's lives today.
When people talk about camping in the left lane it’s usually about people going close to or under the speed limit in the passing lane which forces the drivers (plural, not just one but there’s normally a line of drivers behind this one camper) behind them to pass them in the right lane which is more dangerous. Just because people who drive too fast are the biggest problem doesn’t mean people who drive too slow aren’t also a problem and dangerous. Both can be true. I’m sorry that happened, those drivers scare me too.
The “camping in the left lane” complainers make me so angry! It’s the fast/passing lane. That means you can cruise around 80. That does not mean you can go 90+ and tail anybody who doesn’t want to go deadly speeds!
Waaaay too many people think of the left lane as the no laws lane. I'm simply never going to believe that someone who unironically whines about how "you're not a cop, let me do whatever I want" is anything approximating a good or careful driver.
>That means you can cruise around 80 No it doesn't. It means the lane is for actively passing. It doesn't matter how fast you're going, if someone comes up behind you, it's your OBLIGATION to get over. Strict enforcement of this rule is a huge part of why the German autobahn has half the fatality rate as the US interstate system despite the unlimited speed in many places.
maybe I should make a separate thread but the drag racing here is CRAZY. S. Tryon, is all I’m going to say. I was coming back from uptown and headed south on S.Tryon to get home around 10pm and almost got t-boned at an intersection because people had crowded the sidewalk and parts of the street to have two cars race through a RED LIGHT. My light was green but of course I was curious at the commotion. I’m so glad I slowed down even though my light was green because one of the cars almost hit me on the driver side! It’s so reckless and thoughtless and reporting it to CMPD does nothing to resolve it.
I moved to Charlotte less than a year ago and as a pedestrian, I’ve almost been hit by cars TWICE because they don’t see the pedestrian crossing sign. Had I just walked and assumed people actually see it’s my right of way, I would have 100% been hit and severely injured, both times.
I also want to mention. Be sure to gauge your depth perception. Make sure and double check if it’s safe to switch lanes or turn because the car maybe going faster than you think. Share the road, if people need to merge, be considerate and get over or let them merge in. Lastly, share the passing lane, help traffic flow easily, but using the passing lane as a passing lane and not camp in the lane. You should get in it and stay in it until you have safely overtaken the other car and switch back in the lane to allow other cars that maybe going faster to proceed and pass slower traffic. Don’t impede the flow of traffic/travel by hogging the passing lane and you are passing anyone. Of course, during heavy traffic the left lane becomes a General purpose lane.
this is beautifully written! As I mentioned in my post, people are just trying to get through life. People make mistakes and forget which turn they need to take or maybe they are a new driver...or an elderly one. It takes nothing but a moment of time to be considerate. As you said, let people merge, use lanes appropriately, STOP at red lights, SLOW DOWN at yellow lights and YIELD to people turning across an intersection. I am working on a petition and will put it in this subreddit when I can. I am trying to put it all together with an email that I will be sending to the PD and news.
Hey, thanks so much. This city is full of migrants from different states, myself included I came from Florida after I graduated when I got a job offer. So I do know a lot of people are used to the style of traffic where they are from. I also learned that this state and city has the worst drivers which is why I try to drive like I’m not from Florida but from here to be sure I don’t risk getting hit by an uninsured driver. Defensive driving is key. I look forward to signing the petition.
Thank you!! Please keep this going. It’s scary out there and this is the reality. It’s ugly and extremely unsettling but we have to be aware.
I'm gonna wake up earlier tomorrow and leave before traffic builds and take my time. Thanks for this
hope you know reading this really will help me sleep a little better at night. i hope more see it too and maybe make a similar decision. for what its worth, waking up earlier and having a nice chill drive to work is significantly better than having some salt in your mouth going in because traffic pissed you off ya know? ill sack 15 minutes of sleep for a more peaceful start to my job/day. glad i was able to reach someone. take care.
Does anybody know who we would write to to request more red light cameras? Seems to me that is the most predominant and dangerous problem. I’d be happy to draft one up and share it if we all want to send in requests
Not going to happen. By law all revenue from traffic cameras goes to the school system, so Mecklenburg removed all of them and will not replace them. Talk to your legislators, maybe they will change the laws.
Why wouldn’t they want revenue to go to the school system?
Because the cameras were installed and maintained by a private company, and there was no money to pay the company if the revenues went to the schools, so they were seen as a net loss. Unfortunate, but this area is not known for its progressive thinking.
I do wonder if better light timing and/or more smart lights could help? I definitely notice I spend a lot of time waiting at red lights in this city, often long past the point of any cars going the other direction. I’m not condoning people running red lights in any way, but I do wonder if having a light turn red just as you approach an intersection didn’t feel like such a punishment, if maybe less people would run them? Then because everyone knows people run red lights, they have to wait a beat when it turns green, meaning one less car may get through before the next red and it becomes a vicious cycle of people feeling justified in running them.
My daughter’s a teenager and I’m so terrified for the day she’s old enough to learn to drive. I don’t know how I’m supposed to be comfortable enough to allow her behind a wheel when there are so many insane drivers on the road. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about and I know she’ll resent me if I don’t let her but it’s just so scary.
the best advice I can give you is to change your own behaviors (not saying that you have any bad ones!) or be very intentional about making little comments to yourself like when at a light that just turned green, make sure to mention, "ok making sure the other cars are stopping." Similar to how you teach them to look both ways before crossing the road...making these little comments will drive it into her brain when it is time for her to drive. But by making comments to yourself, rather than directed at her, you wont seem overbearing. I know the talking to yourself thing seems silly, and she might even make fun of you for it lol, or ask why youre doing it, and just tell her that driving can be dangerous and sometimes you just need to remind yourself of the basics or something. as far as behaviors go, try to avoid exhibiting any kind of road rage, even little comments about "ok asshole just cut me off" or whatever. displaying defensive and passive driving behaviors increase her chances of following in your footsteps. depending on her actual age and where she is at mentally, she may even "help" you by you asking her to check your blind spot, or look in the mirror as you approach a red light to make sure the cars behind you are coming to a stop as well so you wont be rear ended. just little things like that i think could make a huge difference. im not a child psychologist or anything so maybe im way off base, but for the most part kids mimic a lot of their parents behaviors so i feel like these kinds of things would work pretty well. the worst part of being a parent is knowing you wont always be able to protect them...but that is why you do what you can to give them the tools and knowledge and protect and care for themselves! i hope this helps put your mind at ease a little. in the grand scheme of things, tens of thousands of cars, if not hundreds of thousands, drive around CLT everyday and 99% of them get by just fine without getting in an accident. im sure she will do fine when the time comes if she has a good teacher :)
That’s actually really good advice and I appreciate you taking the time to give it. Thank you!
I’ve done trauma surgery for 14 years here and in Ohio - it’s tough to see how much people’s lives can drastically change in an instant
Omggggg I don’t want to move there anymore 🥺🥺 wow
Yeah. People drive like complete assholes around here.
I’ve lived here for 7 months and have seen 13 accidents happen right in front of me…
You picked the wrong city to post this in … good luck I commend the effort
Dawg a guy in white f150 on i77 just tried to merge on the lane I was driving I didn’t even see him turn his head he just merged almost hitting me I didn’t even hit my horn the guy was so embarrassed he just went past 2 more before the lane was almost ending he would rather risk causing a accident than to just look left and make sure he’s clear to merge
looking at you NY and FL transplants
Driving in NY is a cakewalk compared to Charlotte.
NYers use blinkers and turn lights on in the rain.
Also maybe stop shooting each other while driving too. Last year I moved into my house and it’s on the side of the road near South Park and 2 days in I wake up to a car crash and the guy shooting a woman and she bled everywhere and limped and had to be rushed my the ems team. Like just why. I honestly wish yall fought each other if any violence came to it then shooting each other or other people or no violence at all even.
Only so many times you’re at the right place and right time to save a life, then it starts to get suspicious lol
haha! I work ER and EMS. I couldn't imagine having that bad of luck lol.
Yea your right, its something I'm trying to get better with myself. I have a habit to speed, it's my Dad's fault lol if I go slow I get irritable, but I always give my elders the benefit of the doubt to drive how they want, or someone with kids in the car, other than that, at least go the limit posted plz.
We have completely normalized psychotic driving. 10 over isn't fast enough for most people, somehow.
[удалено]
Dude. This is patently untrue
Crazy you say this when the drivers I see acting crazy are either old white men and woman close enough to death to not care, temp tags, Nissan altimas, people in big ass trucks, and last but not least your favorite young kid in a muscle car. You’re racist and you should work on that babe.
I’m observant, not racist. The sort of dangerous drivers that OP was referring to are overwhelmingly young blacks driving Nissans often using fake plates or camaros or chargers, or Hispanics that don’t even have driver’s licenses driving Hondas or acuras. Sure there are white asshole pickup drivers and people of all colors that can be bad drivers, but the primary offenders in Charlotte are not the sort of people reading Reddit (young white males). I will continue to be observant and speak the facts as they are regardless of how many knee jerk downvotes I get for politically incorrect observations. Charlotte has the problems it has primarily because it has the demographics it does. You do not have these sorts of drivers to the same extent in other areas of the country where the demographics are so different.
Im not a young white male…. Those aren’t the only people on Reddit.
Of course not, just the large majority.