Coming from Dallas and I’m convinced people here think the HOV is the passing lane. So many people by themselves. In Texas the HOV lane is separated so you’re forced to stay in it and cops can easily enforce it.
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Driving here has devolved into a blood sport. I hate it and find 1-5 terrifying. No one stops for Stop signs either. It didn’t use to be this way.
My working theory is that it's a combination of low enforcement on roadways and Transit being wildly out of date for the population that lives here.
Highway patrol isn't enforcing enough (multiple potential reasons for that of course) to really act as a deterrent for HOV violaters, left lane campers, and even just simply speeders. That alone would make things scarier, but add in the massive increase in population over the last few decades and the general inadequacy of our highway/transit networks in Seattle and in the main arteries back into the county?
That's a recipe for pissed off drivers taking risks that endanger everyone.
I think the general breakdown of civil society contributes as well.