Is it just me, or a new bad driving thing here?

Question

This has been happening to me A LOT lately, and it seems new to me. Here's what I'm talking about:

You're approaching a stop sign. A car is coming from the right side, and intends to turn left, onto the street you are on. They don't have a stop sign, so they can turn when they want.

However, when they make the turn, they cut across your lane, so much that if you had been stopped in the correct spot at the stop sign, you would have been hit.

It has happened a bunch lately, and several times I've had to brake real hard to avoid getting hit by these idiots. Anyone else noticing this? Is it new for you, or been happening all along and I've just been lucky?

in Boiseby Violaceums_Twaddle

69%

23d

SuperGlue_InMyPocket

23d

I think we've always had an issue with oblivious drivers (e.g. driving in the fast lane but going slow) but I've noticed red light running over the past couple of years has gotten out of control. I look both ways when my light turns green now because of it. It seems like daily I see someone blow a completely red light.

EstablishmentRich129

23d

I will see 8 people still go when it’s red it has gotten out of control.

SuperGlue_InMyPocket

23d

I went through on yellow and it hit red on me just as I was going under the light (which even that, I feel bad about) but I see like 3 cars come through behind me.

boisefun8

23d

I’m always shocked when I (rarely, and usually accidentally) go through a pink light and cars go through behind me.

Gryffindumble

23d

Dude. Boise has the worst drivers I have ever encountered. It's like driving with teenagers playing GTA out there.

Been here a long time and not originally from here. I have always said the drivers here are trash.

just_another_ryan

23d

It makes no sense either, we have all 4 seasons to learn to drive in. We should be like the best drivers, yet it is a fucking warzone driving down Eagle on a Friday lol

dumb_brick

23d

Just had this conversation with a friend today.

Amount of time someone spent driving does not equal improved driving skills. A person can be driving for 50 years and be a bad driver with 50 years of experience. Same way as there are bad contractors, incompetent lawyers, etc

To improve skills by repetition, one has to have brains and understanding what he is doing and how it must be done, then apply this knowledge to improve his skillset.

boisefun8

23d

This is so true. If you reinforce bad habits for years you’re probably an even worse driver.

I think we’ve just gotten lazier as a society about driving and more distracted. Plus all the automation and safety features on a car I think are numbing people to the driving experience. (I am a fan of those features from a safety perspective).

boisefun8

23d

In my experience they are FAR better here than most of New England.

hamsterontheloose

23d

I'm going to disagree. I'm from New England, and idaho has the worst drivers of anywhere I've lived across the country. I haven't been back there in 5 years, but driving there was much better than any day I have to drive here

boisefun8

23d

I went to university in Massachusetts and lived in the Boston suburbs for 12 years and go back yearly to visit family. Massachusetts drivers are the worst and do all the things people are complaining about here, especially yielding when they’re not supposed to.

hamsterontheloose

-1

22d

Massachusetts isn't great to drive, especially Boston. Part of it is the city being confusing to navigate. You see where you want to go, drive in that direction, and don't get there. It's better to take the T or bus, or just walk. I used to park in New Hampshire and take the train in.

rickglassmans

23d

I'm going to disagree. Ive lived all over east coast, few places out west. Boise drivers are not bad, theres just way too much traffic anywhere west of like Maple Grove.

hamsterontheloose

22d

I've lived in CO, CA, ME, WA, and now here. I've also crossed the country so many times. Here is the worst, by far. Boise earned 2nd worst drivers this year, and other states make fun of how bad the drivers are. I was warned by my friend I moved in with from Maine that the drivers were awful, and he was right. I'm told that it's always been terrible to drive here, even 20 years ago people just couldn't manage

rickglassmans

22d

Earned 2nd worst? By what some online blog? My first comment was partially just mocking how definite you are with your personal opinions and anecdotes, as if they are objective truth. Obviously we have very different perspectives, which should in itself lend credence to my opinion. Other states make fun of drivers here, that made me laugh. We can just stop with the personal opinions though because as far as automobile accident statistics, Idaho does not rank near the bottom nationally for really any car accident related statistic. As in we don't have super high rates of accidents or fatalities or drunk driving or anything that I can find. All of this info is available for you also.

hamsterontheloose

22d

I see accidents almost daily here, and that hasn't been my experience anywhere else. And I can't remember where I heard the second worst thing- a deputy told me about it. But hey, idaho has always been horrible at driving, but most locals refuse to admit it. If someone drives well, I assume they moved here from elsewhere. People here can't figure out 4 way stops, red lights, yielding, train crossings, or even how to not block an intersection. I get the education here is insanely low-rate, but you'd think at least a few people would have enough common sense to not do the crap they do. Couple all of that with the fact that everyone drives aggressively and has to just be one car ahead every time, and it mashes going anywhere here horrible. I love to drive, and this state has killed that joy for me within the few years I've been here.

AquaFlowPlumbingCo

23d

Could it have something to do with our grid system?

hamsterontheloose

22d

I'm not sure, but I'm leaving towards no. I lived in Denver for 10 years which was also very much a grid, and it wasn't bad driving there at all. Sure, you get your occasional idiot, but here they're taking over

AquaFlowPlumbingCo

22d

It’s them damn Commie-fornians used to heavy traffic trends

hamsterontheloose

22d

I swear that's the go to response on this page or from so many people in person

AquaFlowPlumbingCo

22d

“Don’t worry! I’m one of the good ones!”

Like, the fuck does that even mean dude. What exactly is implied when you move from CA to ID and you identify as “one of the good ones”. What all does that entail? You’re likeminded with other Idahoans? Does that mean we’re all neo-nazis, or worse, Republicans? And you think being “one of the good ones” means you also hate California, simply for existing?

It’s funny to me how many people come from the West saying they’ve escaped. Yeah, you’ve escaped the natural consequences of a high-population density and all it entails. The crime, the economy, the traffic, political policy, all spawned from circumstances that only arose because a fuck ton of people are living in close proximity to one another. And we need each other’s help. The ones “escaping” don’t need help on an individual basis, and they are also the last ones you’ll ever find extending a hand of assistance to their fellow human. “Good”, in their eyes, is straight, white, Christian, traditional beliefs, and anything that differs from that is therefore “bad”, or “communist”, or “socialist”.

Just look at the data maps — they made it easy for dumb fucks like me to read. There are only two colors. And the trend has always seemed to be that higher populated regions lean left and vote blue, while pretty much every rural area in every single state leans conservative and votes red. These are two entirely different subgroups of people voting for a common interest that simple just does not exist.

The rural Californians come and share stories of how bad it is to live in a socialist state, and how their taxes (if they even pay them) are being used to help the poor and afflicted, and they wanted that money to be used to spread Freedom™ globally instead.

/rant

Ok_Dragonfruit2829

23d

Drivers in Boise aren't that bad. They are a bit slower but nowhere near as bad as the drivers where I live. Most people in Boise do not cut multiple lanes over to exit, most do not go 20+ above the speed limit, most do not drive on the shoulder to skip traffic.

hamsterontheloose

23d

Oh, yes they do. They do all of that, and often

Gryffindumble

23d

Literally see all of that at some point each week...

Ok_Dragonfruit2829

23d

That's my point. You said you see it at some point each week but you don't see it daily like I do. Whenever I drive in Boise my mind is at ease because most drivers are slow but careful.

AquaFlowPlumbingCo

23d

It’s because we are driving long stretches of straight roads with intersections a square mile apart from one another. We will get there when we get there.

tayleyj1

23d

Agreed. But definitely don’t travel to southeast Idaho. It’s even worse over there

gnelson321

23d

They are bad, but go out to Nampa and you’ll feel better about Boise drivers.

AquaFlowPlumbingCo

23d

I hate hopping on the hype train, but there is a notable aggression with drivers in the western part of the valley. There’s an indifference in the air, almost like you’re just in the way of everyone else.

thecutebandit

23d

Making wide left turns and not staying in the lane of travel, not making full stops, speeding through neighborhoods of 20mph, and blowing lights to name a few. I'm born and raised here and can confidently say, it was never this bad before the major influx of people. Getting my bumper just about kissed in the far right lane on the freeway and I'm going 10 over already.

AquaFlowPlumbingCo

23d

Time to install oil slick traps on the car, SpyHunter style

turd_fergsuon_74

22d

Not to be that guy, but it seems a lot of people moving here bring their horrible big city driving habits with them.

Stabinnion

23d

I'm almost 50 years old, and ever since I started driving, I've seen people making left turns into the oncoming side left turn lane like this all my life. It's just something people do.

jcsladest

23d

It's always been bad, but definitely worse. Inattentive driving? Sure. But people also don't understand 4-way stops, bike laws, red lights etc. Of course, much of this is because BPD has cut traffic enforcement in half.

yodpilot

23d

The classic cutting the corner

G9918

23d

It is not just you. SO many people drive like shit. Every single time my husband and I leave our neighborhood, we almost get hit multiple times on the way to our destination. A little over two years ago we were sitting at a stop sign in a construction zone on 55. Some dumb ass crackhead was staring at her phone while going 80 mph. She side swiped 5 people before her Dodge 2500 came to a stop ON TOP of our Hyundai Sonata. If she handed lost her front driver's side tire before she hit us, she would have drove completely over us. It was awful, she barely had insurance and she ruined my mental health for years. Traffic is so much worse than it was before Covid. People are idiots and don't care about anyone but themselves. They don't pay attention at all.

loose_meat-ring

23d

It’s not new.

boisefun8

23d

I’ve noticed this a lot lately, even at 4 way stops. People cut it really close to the point I stop back a foot or two in some places. Thank god we have painted turn lines at a lot of major intersections the way some people drive.

themeec

23d

Welcome to any major US city, honestly. I feel like every one has it's own "flavor" of bad driving, but none of them have their shit together.

Idahoastro

23d

Agreed. You go to any mid size to large city subreddit and bad drivers are somewhere in the top posts in the past month. It’s everywhere. Phones have made driving everywhere worse.

rickglassmans

23d

Yeah bad drivers are everywhere. This reminds of people talking about the weather in their state. Ever single place I've lived and you'll hear this from Americans all over the country. "If you don't like the weather just wait 5 mins" or whatever it is. Claiming that the weather is unpredictable I guess. Hearing this everywhere it just makes me laugh now and I don't believe it.

joetwocrows

23d

I have noticed it more with jacked-up trucks. Quite outside of any bad driving attitude, their turning radius seems to be huge, so shortcuts get taken. Doesn't excuse them. The newer thing that gripes me is drivers who can't seem to park straight. And, I admit, soemhow it's harder for me to park straight in my CUV, and I don't quite get why. Also, some intersections, I'm looking at you 3rd and Front, seem like ACHD has deliberately made them narrow and slow, difficult to navigate normally.

PCLoadPLA

22d

Right. If you want to drive a giant commercial - scale vehicle, you might have to drive it like a big commercial vehicle... meaning swinging wide enough, going slower and leaving more stopping distance, planning further ahead, maybe even using truck routes and oversized parking that's designed to accommodate big vehicles, all of which you might be more cognizant of with an actual commercial driver's license...but no they just get in it and try driving like a car.

in4theTacos

23d

I feel like I notice the opposite. People coming up real quick and stopping with their back tires where their front tires should be at a stop sign. They’re completely blocking what would be where the sidewalk would cross the street. I’ll be turning left and have to take it real slow because of how far out the car at the stop sign is.

Soonerscamp

23d

Boise resident here. I lived in Miami area for about two years. Miami has the worst drivers In America. It’s not close. Total chaos driving in Miami. Boise is pretty calm overall with decent drivers. Just slower drivers.

Campmoore

22d

Literally every time I drive anywhere I see someone run a red light. Now I know you think I said 'people run red lights a lot' but that's not what I mean. I mean every fucking time I drive anywhere I see someone run a red light. Even going around the corner to the store. Every time.

nulldad

22d

Dude same shit has been happening to me!

Koto65

22d

People cut their left turns short everywhere. But if you are stopped where you should be. Where you can see the line at the front of your car, not the front of your car at the line, there will be plenty of space.

Global_Fisherman4836

22d

Crossing chiden on glenwood is one of the most dangerous things ever now. People blow through that red light so bad that I just wait a couple seconds before going on green. I’m also so baffled at the lack of care when driving through crosswalks, watch the fuck out for bikes crossing, we move so much faster than them and even if they look both ways you’ll be in the crosswalk and driving over the top of them before you can blink. Stop behind the damn crosswalk people.

Tencilandyield

22d

Boise drivers have always been fine. But the town was much smaller and the driving style is different than the more aggressive style people brought with them from other locales. It’s not being able to get the two styles synced up that is causing the problems.

Bubbly-Vermicelli-12

21d

This is like the design entering the mall and people don't understand how it works. No stop sign? Keep going... Stop sign? STOP.

I hate driving on the freeway now. I'm always the one avoiding the group of cars. It's how I was taught in drivers Ed. Every few minutes though a group of cars come hauling towards me and ends up with in me getting tailgated in the slow lane. I'm going 69 and sometimes I have to go up to 73-74 just to be safe while the group passes. A lot of these people have to be going 80-85. Why is there hardly any law enforcement on I-84?

My go to street getting through Boise and meridian is Emerald/Pine. Less cars but it does get backed up near St Al's.

Stay safe out there guys!

xzandermander

17d

I just got my license less than a month ago and I definitely have definitely cut the corner a little too hard when turning left. If there's no line to follow and or someone is turning left in the lane next to me I get nervous about swiping the other turning car on my passenger side or them swiping me. But the car stopped at the light on my drivers side isn't going anywhere so I know I'm not going to hit them and their not going to hit me unless I aim my car right at them lol. Bad habbit I know but I'm still learning.

I have also been on a 45mph road and thought I could make a yellow but it changed right when I got to the line. I figured at that point if I'm already going 45 in the intersection it's definitely worse to slam on my brakes then to just get through before the cross traffic turns green. That's happened twice and I felt super guilty.

All that being said I was super scared when I first started driving that people would know I had never driven before and yell at me and honk at me but it took me about 2 days to relise nobody could tell because most people suck at driving around here😂 I've had so many people cross multiple lanes to get about a foot in front of me with no turn signal or completely stop their car completely to turn into a business again with no turn signal. I know I said I ran 2 reds but I saw a guy a couple months ago blow through a light that had been red long before he got there luckily the people turning that had the right of way we're paying attention and manged to stop in the intersection as he blew past.

Before I got my license I rode a bicycle and don't even get me started on the amount of times people almost ran me over. I would be IN the cross walk with the cross walk sign LIT up and have ten cars make eye contact with me and keep turning inches from me while I'm sitting there in the middle of the godamn intersection with the right of way waiting for them all to pass. And then they would honk or yell at ME? People are also just dicks to cyclist around here wich I get there are a lot of dumb ass entitled cyclists here but the amount of times people almost hit me or honk,flip me off, or yell shit at while I was literally following procedures was astounding.

T4lkNerdy2Me

23d

Not new at all. I think I've experienced that in every state I've driven in. Almost had my front end taken off numerous times. Had to quickly reverse more than once to give them room.

TheDuzzyFuckling

23d

This is an especially bad problem when rounding corners in my work’s downtown parking garage. People driving up apparently can’t fathom that there are people leaving the garage at the same time.

encephlavator

22d

TBF most of the garages were built when cars were a lot smaller. But yeah, there's a reason the phrase "cutting corners" is bad.

No-Contest4520

22d

Bad drivers are everywhere, at all times. Trying to make sense of it will only bring you pain.

DuesPaidInFull

23d

Worst drivers in the west

neonmica

23d

No driving education - didn't learn about square turns?

yung_miser

23d

I feel like this has been a thing here. Grew up in Chicago, and only saw this the first time when I went out "to the country" in Illinois, which makes me think it has something to do with not learning to drive in a tight grid system. Just a hypothesis.