A reminder to be extra careful on the road

Submitted by theherbpuffer t3_yhxcwv in pittsburgh

I've been a gig driver for a couple years now and it seems to me crazy drivers are at an all time high right now. Speeding, not using blinkers, you name it. No matter how cautious I am someone happens to hit me. I've been hit three times in the last few weeks and none my fault. The first time someone reversed into me while parked at KFC (whatever, no biggie.) A couple days later a moped hit me while i was getting out or a parking spot. Then today I was side swiped by a drunk guy. It has gotten to the point where it has me rethinking whether or not I should even do gig work still. Driving like a grandpa isn't working

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Ok_Yard_4646 t1_iug85dg wrote

I drive for work too, like 9hrs a day in my truck. It seems to fluctuate daily; like there are some days that are way worse, and others are pretty typical. However everyone seems to be more aggressive than they used to be. I think its just everything going on right now making people crazy.

You pretty much just have to be ready to swerve, brake, or weave at a moments notice. Even more so on a bike.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_iugqmz4 wrote

I know what you mean but the worse days have become more frequent in my experience..

There's a reason I only bike and hike on the trails.

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CARLEtheCamry t1_iuht8xh wrote

I had to take the Parkway from the Airport area to the North Side last night around 7 last night. It got to "I have to get off the phone with the person I'm talking with because people are nuts right now" levels which hasn't happened in a while (I do this drive almost every Sunday).

I chalked it up to the Steelers losing and low-T men being angry.

Had a fun time in the dark trying to merge on the Ft. Pitt with 3 different people with their lights off, at night. Was tempted to make a post to /r/pittsburgh "PSA : It's getting dark out earlier, remember to turn on your headlights at night" like the "clear off the snow, watch out for deer" posts.

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[deleted] t1_iuh9vod wrote

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twigman030 t1_iuhfd50 wrote

“It sucks this city is so fucking hostile to people on bikes.”

I bike on a daily basis in the city and the vast majority of drivers are respectful to bikers. I have never experienced anyone beeping or anything. In fact, Pittsburghers in general are actually pretty well accustomed to bikers on the road compared to other places. They are used to them.

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[deleted] t1_iuhg0l1 wrote

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twigman030 t1_iuhsizb wrote

I’ve been biking for over a decade through the East End, Northside, downtown and more. I have never had any experience close to what you mentioned. In fact, many times drivers will wave me to “go” when I’m not turning or anything. Interesting how we’ve had such opposite experiences.

I’ve also lived more north (MA, NH) and find it much worse up there, so maybe that contributes as well, not sure. I feel super comfortable biking here.

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leadfoot9 t1_iuhmfym wrote

True, but that's like saying that vast majority of people in a rough neighborhood have never committed murder. It only takes a few wackos to make a place dangerous.

It follows that a person's experience cycling can probably vary wildly depending on the routes they use and whom they share their commute with.

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Mrvonblogger t1_iuhhh25 wrote

There was a motorcyclist with a passenger hit by a vehicle outside the enterprise rent a car yesterday evening on library road. The road is straight there how does that even happen?

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thomas723 t1_iuhjpa0 wrote

"so fucking hostile to people on bikes" wha???

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twigman030 t1_iuhsa8f wrote

I agree, there might be an occasional bad egg but very far from “so fucking hostile” hahah

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Mikez63 t1_iugiwrm wrote

First week I lived in Pittsburgh some dude missed his turn on 10th st in ss. Proceeded to stop in the middle of the road, and back up (in the road) 100’ directly into my car.

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bekahed979 t1_iuhbqa3 wrote

Yep, that sounds like Pittsburgh. I am always thinking of that Louis CK bit but that's my favorite way to go

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RowanRally t1_iugl2sy wrote

Funny, I moved here from DC and can’t stop raving about how humane the drivers are. Sure, assholes are everywhere, but Pittsburgh has been a massive improvement over the horror that is our nation’s capital.

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twigman030 t1_iuhfh06 wrote

Literally same thoughts when I see these types of posts. Pittsburgh drivers are actually quite considerate compared to other places I’ve lived.

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nopantsforfatties t1_iuhvw2z wrote

I was about to say this, but with Philly. Pittsburgh drivers are a dream compared to Philly drivers. You take your life in your hands every time you get in a car in that city 😆

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Dapper-Goat4408 t1_iuig2kx wrote

Oh my god I was on the Garden State Parkway once... never again.

With that said, since moving back from the tristate area I have notice a level of aggressiveness and carelessness in Pittsburgh drivers, and I lived here for 10 years prior to covid. I don't understand the constant rush or the aggression.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_iugqa94 wrote

Of course, DC one of those most congested areas in the nation. This is probably more general though. I'm sure driving has gotten worse everywhere, and I have a feeling the pandemic has something to do with it.

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Yelloeisok t1_iuhjdsn wrote

The thing about driving in DC is everyone drives slower. They know someone is going to pop out in front of them, I think they drive more defensively than aggressively.

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annelmao t1_iuhmz73 wrote

Tell that to anybody who drives in Maryland 😂

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Yelloeisok t1_iuho0ut wrote

There is a difference in driving in MD and in DC though.

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hopsinabag t1_iujlmk8 wrote

Just left the DMV and anytime I saw maryland plates on the beltway I got a lane away.

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ventorun t1_iugcrz6 wrote

I thought this was going to be a trick or treat post. Be careful for them as well if tomorrow is the day for your neighborhood. Kids don’t pay attention when there’s free candy involved.

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colormeslowly t1_iugzyi3 wrote

Kids don’t pay attention when there’s free candy involved.

Great PSA!! Thank you!!

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Entire-Job7656 t1_iugfz6w wrote

Shits crazy man. I've gotten to the point where if I'm out near Greensburg I take 70 home and avoid the city all together. Unfortunately it's not just the highways or densely populated areas, it's almost everywhere. That said I had to go to Baltimore recently. It's 1000x worse there, I've lived/visited a good bit of this country, but southern Maryland drivers might be the worst I've ever seen. Not saying that to diminish how bad it can be here, but it's just that bad.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_iugqgdv wrote

Ya I can't say it's the worse here but me being on the road all day I feel like I see it more than most. I visit Cleveland a couple time a year and it's probably worse there. Drivers on the highway there are daredevils

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Entire-Job7656 t1_iugto1f wrote

Honestly I think a lot of it has to do with the rise of smart phones/big ass screens in the car. People have always driven recklessly but now there's another distraction. I appreciate the convenience but I've seen a lot of people hold their phone between their hands on the wheel. Also I want to preface this by saying I absolutely have nothing against weed, but the amount of people I've seen smoke a joint outside the bar or eat an edible and then get into their vehicles and drive home a half hour later is staggering.

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[deleted] t1_iuha0l5 wrote

[deleted]

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ArtistAtHeart t1_iuham5w wrote

Both of those, and the fact that most districts cut drivers ed around ten years ago. With bad driver parents now the only ones training new drivers, this is what we get.

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vibes86 t1_iuglnwa wrote

I assume you have cameras in your car. If not, they’re pretty cheap now and come in handy.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_iugpttr wrote

Funny you ask because I just got one from Amazon and am installing it tomorrow. In this case tho he hit a few cars and we all called the cops so there's no question about this one lol I will have more peace of mind with the camera tho for sure

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vibes86 t1_iugqqrm wrote

My husband and I each have one. He works in the east end so it’s been handy. People drive so crazy now. And agree that it’s worse than it ever was.

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karmachik t1_iug682t wrote

Yes. People are out of control on the roads. I dread driving anymore . I've had a few close calls myself lately with people just not caring. They even did a story about it on NPR as it seems to be everywhere .

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AmishButcher t1_iugi2pb wrote

If you're not passing, stay out of the left lane

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theherbpuffer OP t1_iugq2xw wrote

This dude was in the left turning lane and proceeded to go straight AND run the red light

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Agent_DZ-015 t1_iuh8zow wrote

Oh man, I feel like I’ve seen that particular maneuver a whole lot recently.

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goofypugs t1_iuhtsw5 wrote

yo, i don’t understand how this is a thing people just don’t get. unless you’re passing stay in the right lane.

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jirenlagen t1_iuin227 wrote

If that’s the only rebuttal, you’re part of the problem most likely.

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NumaPomp t1_iuh3lln wrote

This!!! Soooo many people driving in the passing lane and then giving you a dirty look when you’re passing them after flashing your lights asking them to move over.

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penndawg84 t1_iuhlzmw wrote

I started driving less than 6 months ago, but no amount of driving instruction could have prepared me for how much it’s like Mad Max out there. Also, lanes that unpredictably (unless you’re familiar with the area) become turn-only lanes are a thorn in my side, as I’m usually “ok, I guess I have to turn, no problem I have GPS and will only be like a minute late,” but everyone else is like “I’m gonna gun it and cut in front of penndawg84’s soccer-mom-mobile at the intersection, he’s only going 3 mph over, he should be able to not only read my mind, but stop quickly enough to avoid crashing.”

Also, is there some sort of consensus on what the unwritten rule of speed limits is for Bigelow? I’m in the right lane doing like 36 and people fly past me doing over 50 all the time.

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BigOrangeDuker t1_iuhu66a wrote

U fortunately it seems as if Bigelow is drive 75 to stay alive

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thatburghfan t1_iuhb8fg wrote

Weird to see this. Two days ago I was sideswiped by a truck on ARB and it was the first time I was ever in an accident while moving. Heading inbound approaching the Washington Blvd intersection, and as it widened into three lanes at the green signal the truck behind me tried to go around me to speed through the intersection. Except there wasn't enough room and to avoid rear-ending the car in the left turn lane, he had to come back to the right and bang the side of my car, then speed off down ARB towards the zoo.

The damage sucks but what really shocked me is the stupidity of the maneuver. Like, in another hundred feet you will have two lanes to use to get around me if it's that important. You couldn't wait that three more seconds?

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happyjazzycook t1_iuhf89m wrote

Being retired, my husband and I don't drive much at all and I don't miss it. But we do have to go out (doctors appointments, cuz we're old, and big grocery trips, etc) so I'm wondering if anyone would recommend a dashboard camera please. I'd honestly have nowhere to start looking because neither of us are very tech-oriented. Thank you for your help!

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gldmj5 t1_iuhqqtz wrote

I bought a VIOFO A129. Setting it up wasn't too bad, took about 15 minutes. The trickiest part was running a cable to the rear camera.

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PunkRockKing t1_iuhhorv wrote

Coming home Saturday night on 28 from downtown there was a truck speeding and weaving in and out of everyone and other drivers barely staying in their lines. I honestly was just hoping we’d make it home in one piece.

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H3lue t1_iuhq393 wrote

I always say Pittsburgh’s drivers have the entitlement of east coast drivers, but the pace of Midwest drivers. Worst of both worlds

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pedantic_comments t1_iuhue2p wrote

This gets posted every week. The cops are on strike and your mentally ill neighbors’ brains broke from the pandemic. It doesn’t help that people can’t set their phones down while driving and have 10” screens for consoles.

A group of 4 of us got screamed at in the crosswalk by an overweight old lady for presumably getting in the way of her left turn this week. My neighbor’s house got a direct hit by an SUV that severed their electric service. It’s not really that safe to walk or use a street-level porch at present.

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gldmj5 t1_iuhq8a1 wrote

Bought a dash cam recently for this reason. Luckily haven't been hit yet, but now I at least have video if needed for insurance reasons.

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Cabbagefolk t1_iugpgxg wrote

Ugh, I’m glad you’re okay - they say it happens in 3s so hopefully you’re in the clear now!

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caseyjohnsonwv t1_iuigpwy wrote

As someone currently in the process of moving from Pittsburgh to Orlando, and who has previously lived in the DC area... we have some of the tamest, most sane drivers (and traffic congestion) of any major city. It seems you just have exceptionally bad luck.

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V_I_I t1_iuglf83 wrote

I haven't been on 376 in months, i hopped on there yesterday and i couldn't believe how fast some mf where goin. I usually drive fast but i saw atleast 3+ potential accidents in a row

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theherbpuffer OP t1_iugq5sk wrote

Tellin you, i really been counting my blessings lately.

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Karma4Clunkerz t1_iuig34u wrote

I think it’s a lack of attention to detail on these people’s parts. Speeding isn’t an issue if you know how to drive a car

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fattasswiper t1_iuitvdr wrote

I drove 40 miles daily on the Capital Beltway in DC for almost twenty years and never felt as nervous as I do on Pittsburgh roads and on the Parkway here. The main things for me are the people in such a rush to make a left turn in front of me, and the people who confuse a Yield sign for a Merge sign.

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leadfoot9 t1_iuhn3gl wrote

"Driving like grandpa" is code for "obeying the speed limit and using your turn signals".

Your fellow gig workers are part of the problem, certainly, even if none of the people who hit you were gigging. Needless aggression to make the deliveries and an anarchist approach to parking.

Poorly-designed vehicles with massive blind spots and distracting screens are another contributor.

I don't THINK that PA was one of the states that gave out fraudulent no-test drivers' licenses in 2020, but we may as well have.

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