Merced a less pleasant place to drive these days
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Submitted by dyawger on Fri, 2008-03-07 12:41. |
I've driven around Merced and the San Joaquin Valley for nearly 40 years. I used to think Merced motorists were much more docile and well-behaved behind the wheel than those from the San Francisco Bay Area. Now I'm not so sure. Driving around Merced these days can be a white-knuckle experience at certain times. It was particularly bad in early December during the height of the Christmas shopping rush.
More and more I'm thinking Merced and the surrounding environs have more rude and aggressive drivers than even San Jose, where I grew up. How did that happen? Where did we go wrong? Last weekend, the San Joseans weren't nearly as aggressive as I remember them. Just about every time I go between Merced and Manteca along Highway 99 I encounter several "road warriors" who zoom in and out of the lanes, considerably faster than most of the traffic, or climb up your bumper as if you're holding them up. Even in Merced I find people cutting me out and dodging between lanes, which is funny. What's the rush? Where did they learn that behavior? Often the person ends up being stopped at the same traffic light as I am and only gained one or two positions through their racing maneuvers. In town, the maximum speed limit is about 40 to 45 mph, but there are people whizzing along at freeway speeds, which doesn't make much sense. Many of these aggressive people appear to be in their teens, 20s or 30s, but some look to be retirement age.
But about the time I think those I share the road with have lost all their manners and civility, I get pleasantly surprised. Someone actually let me turn left in front of them at a busy Merced intersection the other day. But don't let your guard down: the next person you encounter might be a real road warrior.
Driving in Merced? HA!!!
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Submitted by gossipaddict on Fri, 2008-03-07 16:25.
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In order to drive in Merced these days you must first have a defensive tactics class.
People here are very rude and careless when they are behind the wheel. They don't look when changing lanes, they drive on your bumper (and in this case is worse when they are in a very tall truck and can't even see you below them). People are constantly talking on the damn cell phone when driving, GET OFF THE PHONE AND DRIVE!!
The new cell phone law in July won't last, there will be way too many of them being ticketed that before too long the P.D will just give up on pulling them over.
I only drive around Merced when I absolutely have to, I'm counting the days to when I can finally move out of this aweful place that Merced has become.
Syndicate
Do you suppose those
Do you suppose those aggressive drivers are perhaps from the San Jose area who have relocated to Merced having purchased all the wonderful real estate deals from last year??