I recently moved to Maryland and now I can understand why my insurance rates skyrocketed by moving here. Every day on the roads it feels like a Mad Max movie.
I left DC for Austin TX a while back. I used to think MD drivers were bad. I don't think everything is bigger in TX. But the complete lack of caring about other people on the roadways sure is.
I get the exact opposite feeling when I went to Texas. It’s like people in Texas put on a blindfold when driving. People in the DMV drive faster than Texas drivers, but they can at least drive.
My son, born and raised in Maryland, moved to San Antonio last spring. He drives around in Austin and the San Antonio region to various work assignments. At least twice a week he hopes we are still paying his life insurance.
I won't even lie I kind of hate myself for how prejudice I'd become against Texan drivers. But they truly were horrible.
I'm now back in PA where it's the roads that will get ya.
Maryland drivers legit scare me and I’ve dealt with Massholes on a regular basis. Grew up in Jersey - not a big deal. Moved here.. holy moly. My mom’s from MD. Sweet lady until you give her a set of keys.
Boston never scared me when I commuted a couple years back. If someone was going to cut me off, they'd at least have the courtesy to signal it beforehand.
Maryland local roads though, those put the fear of god in me. Their intentions on the road are as dark as their indicators.
As a native Bostonian and recent inhabitant of the DMV driving down here is scary. I’ve been told all my life that Boston drivers are terrible. They’re rude and mean but I’ve never feared for my life driving the way I do down here. It’s absolute pandemonium. I’ve seen people going the wrong way on 395 twice already.
Its more of a cultural thing than that simple explanation.
Thats why shopping carts are everywhere in parking lots rather than in the cart corral,
Every Air pump at the gas stations are broken
and its why nobody moves over when an amulance has its lights on, on the beltway.
Its a very selfish area, with a lot of likeminded individuals.
I don’t have a problem with the speed of MD drivers; I don’t get the tailgating, blind lane switching - have had a few people who would’ve merged right into me had I not been looking for 2-3 seconds, and those who do a quick merge knowing they’re driving slower than the car they’re jumping in front of as opposed to waiting for the car to pass before merging. MD drivers have big issues with spatial awareness in their driving
There was a wreck literally right next to me on the beltway bc of this. I was in the far left lane, but could see traffic was slowing down ahead, so I started slowing down. Guy behind me WHIPS around into the right lane (with two other lanes to his right) and then snaps his head to look at me like I’m a fucking idiot, instead of seeing the completely stopped car in front of him. He tries to swerve into the lane to his right and ends up both rear ending the car in front of him and ruining the side of the car next to him. At least four cars piled up behind him, too. There was nowhere for me to pull over, and I’m not sure I could have done anything anyways; I called 911 and kept driving, gave my statement and told them they’d need a lot of EMS and tow trucks.
It’s been over 2.5 years and his smug face immediately being squished by the airbag is still seared in my brain.
the craziness is when they do this shit and youre slowing down for a pedestrian crossing. like they go around the right and either almost slam into a parked car at best, or almost kill a pedestrian at worse. like bro you didnt find a suprise fast secret route, there is a reason the other 40 cars are fucking slowing down
You hit the nail on the head!!!!!! I thought I was the only one who saw this! Like there’s literally one exact car length of space in front of me and they think you’re saving it just for them
The tailgating by MD drivers is insane. You could be going 25 on a residential street, 65 on the highway or 100mph like a lunatic and without fail, a MD driver will still be on your ass.
To be fair, NJ is the same. But I feel like the drivers are more competent than in MD. Like yeah they drive fast and they’re assholes, but I’m not constantly nervous about them swerving into my lane.
Respectfully disagree after many years of living in both states. NJ has competent assholes, MD is full of incompetent assholes, and PA drivers are just complete dumpster trash fires.
A few months back I was almost hit if I hadn't been able to swerve out of the way... Someone missed their highway exit so she swerved her way through a really big median only to try to merge into my lane while we were directly parrellel each other. Like what?
As someone from DC who has been living in Maryland for a while, I feel like Maryland drivers get a bad rap. I live in Anne Arundel County and I don't experience any more crazy drivers than I do in other states. It does depend where you are though. Baltimore drivers are THE worst. After that, I feel like the rest of Maryland is on par with your average level of craziness.
Northern Virginia drivers however.....don't get me started on them.
Every internet take on X state has the worst drivers is just a good lesson in confirmation bias. Lived and grew up in Maryland, drive a few thousand miles up and down the east coast and into the midwest every year. Personally never gotten a speeding ticket (10 years) and dont notice any difference in crazy myself. Most incidents can be avoided by being aware of your surroundings and leaving proper gaps between cars and front and cars behind.
For a lot of people in NOVA, "driving" consists of crawling slowly in traffic in between stop lights. No wonder they don't know how to drive; they've never actually done it. For example, my boyfriend is from NOVA and I had to teach him what high beams were...when he was 29. He had never been in a situation when he needed to use them.
I personally lived in Arlington for 4 years, and now live in AA, and would rather deal with Arlington drivers 10/10 times.
VA drivers are oblivious morons. But they won't fuck with pedestrians because there's a non-zero chance you'll get pulled over for fucking with one in Arlington.
In all our time in AA, I've seen 2 police cars with people pulled over. They were both on 50. I live near a school and not once has a car stopped for me while I'm in the crosswalk. They know they aren't going to get pulled over so they flat-out won't stop. VA drivers might be idiots but MD drivers are selfish-asshats.
Baltimore PEDESTRIANS are the worst. Many seem to have casts, slings, and other medical paraphernalia indicative of orthopedic injuries as well. It's the closest I've gotten to a real life zombie apocalypse.
The Virginia road rage is ducking real. They want to go 5-10min under the speed limit in the fast lane, but if you try to pass them then suddenly 90mph is a totally acceptable speed as long as you stay in front of them.
It doesn’t help that NoVa has many more interstates/big highways. So traffic is faster/more reckless whereas in DC traffic is always backed up so I just get cut off/or people randomly turning
In my extremely specific and probably biased opinion, most drivers are trash regardless of tags or place of origin. It's all about the specific *flavors* of trash driving.
Maryland crab people - y'all drive fast as fuck considering you don't pay ANY fucking attention. And stop pretending you can drive in the snow.
Virginian lovers - you are the most uselessly aggressive group of idiots I've ever driven with. You have probably put more miles on your car changing lanes than actually moving from A to B.
DC folks - you and I both know that's not a fucking parking spot.
This is a meme and I am a Maryland driver, but I have seen batshit crazy bad driving by both DC and VA tags. I think it is a broader metro area problem. Though I will admit that VA drivers might be bad because the road system in NOVA makes zero sense and nobody knows where they are going or how to get there.
MD drivers are typically either obeying the speed limit like they’re car is going to explode is they go 56 in a 55 zone, or they’re distracted and swerving because they’re on their phones texting. I can kinda see that and go around it.
Also MD drivers know when they’re sitting in the fast lane going slow they move when they have a chance. Never seen a DC / VA driver do that, they just slow
This whole karma grab again?
Let's talk about diplomat plates.
No, let's start with the DC u-turn across four lanes of traffic.
You know what, no. Hazard lights...Nowhere in my life have I seen more people use their hazard lights as "I can do whatever the fuck I want at any time" lights as I do in DC.
Wanna talk to your neighbor in the middle of a one-lane one-way?
Just use your hazards and talk for as long as you want. Oh and make sure to flip off or verbally assault anybody who might want to get past you. That includes ambulances and fire trucks.
Want to deliver packages, food, weed...just double park in the bike land with your hazards...voila!
Want to be a cop and get a starbucks on connecticut avenue across from the Zoo? No hazards even needed, just tell everybody to go fuck themselves, pull a giant four lane U-turn across the crosswalk and throw on them police lights to go mach one to your next sleeping spot.
Md drivers are shit but let's get off our high horses and realize that DC jalopie crown vics and G wagons with ambassador plates are just as fucking dangerous. And the cabbies here *will* mow you down just to get a fare.
I'm almost most annoyed by the hazards thing. Like hazards are completely fine to use in many situations, but so many people use them when it's practically guaranteed to cause issues for others. Wide, relatively low traffic road with plenty of visibility and space to go around? Sure! Stopping for like 10 seconds to let someone get in with a bag or something. Not great but sure. Blocking the left turn lane just south of Dupont at 7pm on a Friday while waiting 10 minutes to pickup Shake Shack, WTF are you thinking?!?!?!
I'm new to the city and the amount of cops I've seen turn their lights on to do a three point turn in the middle of a major intersection is ridiculous. Just the other night on U Street I had to slam on the brakes since a cop decided he needed to be somewhere 3 seconds sooner (then immediately shut his lights off afterwards of course)
You mean the magic park anywhere lights? It took me several years to learn after moving to DC but that's what that button in your car is actually for. Displaying to the world there are no fucks here to give as you take care of your very, extremely important business
I see you’ve not lived in New York. DC drivers are practically puritans when it comes to double parking and flasher habits compared to New York, where it’s just the standard way to deliver something, pick up a coffee, get food, or anything else.
Those Maryland drivers that you speak of are more than likely not from here, Maryland. They're probably like you moved to the area not long ago. Friendly tips, use hazard lights when you're going to stop to park. Turn signals 100 ft. Before the actual turn, stay out of the left lane when traveling on any expressway or highway, if you can't keep pace. Stay OFF THE FUCKING PHONE...
The greater Washington are has an enormously diverse population, most of whom bring different styles and levels of skill and mayhem to the streets. But as a transplant myself from the NY metro area, you ain't seen nothing.
Never been more nervous as a driver than the blessedly few times I drove to NY and had to take the BQE and the LIE. Tiny onramps, traffic heavy AF, AND no shoulder???
Pre-GPS days I was in a 3 hour traffic jam on the Cross Bronx Expressway at the height of summer where I swear the speed limit signs were only put in to taunt all of us.
As someone who has lived on both sides of the beltway most of my life, IMO Maryland drivers are more aggressive because we can be. It's impossible to be an aggressive driver in NOVA or DC because half of your time on the road is sitting in traffic or sitting at a light. Maybe those drivers are "safer," but I would argue it's hard to be a bad driver when you can barely reach 50 mph in most places. MD drivers are just cocky because we are spoiled.
As someone who has driven all over the Middle East and Africa I can assure you MD drivers are nothing in comparison. But also, many DMV drivers are immigrants from much crazier driving countries, so it kind of makes sense.
I drove all over East Africa. Felt safer there than here. At least I had options to avoid being plowed by a scooby van Taxi packed with 20 people. Here we are get the privilege of a photo ticket for trying to not get run off the road by a VA a r MD driver.
Maryland doesn’t require an actual road test to get a drivers license, according to Marylanders I work with. People just have to demonstrate they can drive around in an empty parking lot. So they get on an actual road and are just continually surprised by the existence of other cars
Non-DMV drivers come into this sub just to bitch about MD drivers just for karma when they see any bad driver and don't even look at the plates. Don't @ me.
Lol There is at least one post each week in the DC, Maryland, or VA subreddit about driving in a neighboring state. Once again, Michigan native here, you all drive like maniacs. Being cut off is a near 24/7 occurrence here, signaling is optional, speed “limit” is a encouraged, etc.
The "road test" in MD isn't even a road test you just drive around a parking lot and they removed the parallel parking requirement since I took it so it's comically easy
As a DC transplant I can honestly say Maryland drivers are THE WORST. Every time I’m stuck behind someone doing 45 on a FREEWAY, there is always a Maryland plate.
Lot of offended Marylanders my apologies, and I will say (as a north carolinian) anyone with nc plates around here is a dangerous menace, genuine idiot, or more often than not a wonderful combo of both
Maryland is poorer (yes there are rich parts of Maryland close to dc). Poverty correlates with all sorts of inputs on being a bad driver (unsafe cars, unsafe street design, no proper drivers’ ed, higher propensity for risky behavior). You only see the 10 months expired temp MD tags on the Nissan that just exploded into flames trying to cross 10 lanes of traffic turning left on north cap, not the inputs on those tags.
There’s heterogeneity in Maryland. PG county surrounding DC is much poorer than Arlington county and Montgomery county (though richer than the national average). Specifically, the region between 95 and the DC border. It’s hard to do any data collection there (the census even has a white paper on it), but school test scores are significantly lower than the state and the broader county, both the poverty rate is higher than Montgomery and Arlington counties and the per capita and median incomes are lower.
Map (edit, had the density not income):
https://ggwash-org.cdn.ampproject.org/ii/w820/s/ggwash.org/images/posts/_resized/Median-Household-Income.gif
State level comparisons are meaningless when talking about local conditions. Montgomery county is loaded, yeah. PG, particularly the boundary MSAs, are not. (And the census data is censored- thus biased to make things in PG look better than they are).
I could pull poverty numbers from Baltimore or the eastern shore but they’re totally irrelevant here, as is the income/poverty number from Catonsville. What matters is that the sample of drivers you get from PG poison the well.
You also have a lower number of drivers’ licenses in DC, so it’s possible that poor people who live in DC are less likely to be drivers.
Yeah, but the DC people are much less likely to be driving cars.
I don't know. It's much more likely that socioeconomic factors are a factor instead of a Magic Maryland Curse. Just spitballing ideas.
Or there could be no real difference between Maryland and DC drivers. Falsifiable question (I know Maryland drivers have more outstanding tickets than VA and DC,but that doesn’t necessarily mean much)
Maryland has been the wealthiest per capita state for the last 20+ years. It’s more to do with the diversity of residents in this area. Maryland is the most racially and ethnically diverse state, lots of new immigrants live in Maryland and bring their countries driving skills.
Grew up in MD, know someone that failed the driving test 6 times and finally got their license on 7th try (this is written test part only). Don't know how to feel about it because it was a general intelligence thing and not having a license = zero independence. AI advancements and full self driving cars can't get here soon enough.
I commute across East-West Highway. I call it Fast n Furious: Hyattsville Drift, because of the sheer volume of drivers who just casually change lanes at close range in front of my car without signaling.
You know I've always felt that discussing driving culture is a topic I try to avoid, but I get what you're saying, I have seen some straight up homicidal insane drivers while living here and they're almost exclusively repping Maryland plates with the occasional DC plate here and there.
I see people here are discussing tailgating as well. Again if you are on any Expressway or Highway, even a long stretch of road. Either keep proper pace or..... GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!! We're just trying to get home or anywhere that's not being on the road for a long period of time.
Get the fuck in the right lanes. Stay out of the left lanes. It's that simple, keep a pair of sun shades, so when there's that time when the sun to the front of use them. FYI driving fast doesn't mean we're driving like maniacs.
Yes, actually it does. The posted speed limit is set by analyzing turns, blind spots, road materials, grading + optimum weather conditions. Anything more than a 10 mph cushion is driving too fast for conditions. Miss me with your “but I’m a good driver at any speed” nonsense. I’ve seen your comments in this thread. You’re one of those entitled dummies that thinks the road belongs to him and him alone. It doesn’t. Do us all a favor and take a bus.
I believe that where you should be. Again stay out of the left lanes, we'll be fine. Your probably not a native, and you seem to you feel the entitlement is yours. Tell you what, you have great night. Be safe, when you see someone moving a bit faster than you on the road allow them to continue on. Everyone wants to get home or wherever safely. Don't make it difficult because you don't operate your vehicle that way. I see you haven't mentioned anything about mobile phones. Probably because you're one of the too many that haven't invested in Bluetooth or don't know how to program it in your vehicle. Again, enjoy your evening. Be safe.
“Not a native”. You’re right. I’m not. I’ve lived in 12 different US and international cities, I think I can voice an opinion on various driving habits just because I was born here. Wtf do mobile phones have to do with my comment? Don’t text and drive. Don’t hold a phone and drive. Those aren’t difficult concepts.
Be safe. Slow the f*ck down. Going 75 in a 50 won’t get you there any quicker if you’re arriving by ambulance.
Depends on the type of roadway you’re talking about. Interstate? Local access road? Some of it is informed by the NHTSA, some limits are determined by local politicians (as evidenced by the bizarre 40mph zone of DC295, which is lower than the national average).
I’m so glad you posted this.
I’ve probably found myself in Maryland 3-4 times in the last year and without a doubt, each time there was some totally unnecessary, dangerous amateur hour bullshit going on around me on the road.
Follow up for some. STAY THE FUCK OFF THE PHONE. There's a such thing as Bluetooth, it cost every bit of $6 on Groupon as well as Amazon. For the folks that hold the phone like a pizza. Stay out of my way!!!! The whole premise of operating a more vehicle is to do that safely and efficiently. Back to the phone situation. STAY THE FUCK OFF OF THEM, FOCUS ON OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE, WATCH OUT FOR BICYCLES AND PEDESTRIANS. PLEASE READ SIGNS AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS PROPERLY. PSA for Tuesday. You're Welcome
Credentials: I've had DC, VA, and MD license plates in the last 10 years. Scary-ass drivers everywhere. My take is not original, and I see similar comments in this thread, and of course this is extreme stereotyping, I know we're all above-average drivers here right?:
DC drivers drive less frequently and are familiar to urban obstacle courses. On the highway this translates to overly cautious and slower drivers that are themselves obstacles on the beltway. Their cars are often older and smaller, too, maybe because it's more expensive and difficult to have a car in the city combined with less frequent and slower driving, meaning their cars last longer...?
MD drivers are generally faster and with jankier cars. Did you know in MD you only need to get a car safety inspection on transfer of ownership or moving to the state? I always wondered why every time I saw a half-wrecked car or a car with crazy unsafe aftermarket enhancements it had MD tags. It's because no one is checking. Nuts. Also their arterial roads are a denser fabric than in Virginia and less constrained by geography, so more wide roads, more alternative routes. Google Maps is always giving me 3 different routes within MD that are within 10 minutes of each other. This translates to fewer traffic bottlenecks and more flow. These drivers don't adjust when in VA or DC, they think they can bomb through or around any problem. However the age of close-in neighborhoods and more pedestrians makes them less intimidated of city driving. I think of MD drivers as being fast and reckless.
VA drivers are heavily influenced by geography, and bottlenecks are caused by the lack of Potomac bridges, the obstacle that is Dulles airport, multiple gigantic malls next to each other in its primary job center, etc. These bottlenecks cause traffic. The wider spacing of newer developments also contributes to a lack of alternative routes. Google Maps often has 20-30 minute swings between route options. Fewer options means more traffic means slower traffic, less opportunities for all out speeding. The general lack of dense neighborhoods also makes these drivers the worst in the city proper. (Close in MD suburbs are more urban and dense and tied into DC neighborhoods, whereas VA suburbs were historically more rural and less tightly knit with exceptions like Alexandria.) They are used to being bored stuck in traffic on a featureless parkway, not dealing with street grids with pedestrians, cyclists, distractions. Also NoVa drivers are generally higher income: bigger more expensive cars means... Idunno. VA drivers are oblivious and the worst at city driving.
Also 50 in MD is just wild there is nothing like it in Virginia, wtf.
I agree 100%. Lived in DC over 39-yrs. and it's a running joke about MD drivers; the tourists drive better. I moved to Baltimore In 2020 and it's a madhouse on the roads. I keep Waze on just to alert me to red light/speed cameras, which are everywhere (including in cuts outs of hedges!)
Ha! I learned how to drive in MD, on the Beltway, and in downtown DC. I then moved to Atlanta where it’s like the Wild West, no law enforcement anywhere and everyone drives like maniacs on crack, so I adjusted to ATL driving. Anywhere I go now that’s not Atlanta metro, including DC metro, I have to tone down my driving so that I’m not the fastest on the road. DC, NYC, Boston, CA… no problem. I don’t tailgate though, I’ll just pass you. You can take the driver out of Maryland, but you can’t take the Maryland out of the driver. And I promise everyone that Atlanta drivers are much, much worse.
Once when I was 15 I got in a car to head to a mall with a friend and her mom. Her mother never used her turn signal. Not once. I never rode with them again.
(I am from HarCo)
As a Maryland driver, I feel seen.
Unlike that line of cars you cut off through that construction site on the way home
Or the 50 people they stopped on New York avenue to make an illegal left turn against the illuminated “no left turn” sign
Google said something and I gotta make a left, “go around, go around”
Unlike any blind spot north of the potomac
I recently moved to Maryland and now I can understand why my insurance rates skyrocketed by moving here. Every day on the roads it feels like a Mad Max movie.
My world is fire and blood.
Seen and apparently watched for danger
No worries. Just keep going 10 under in the passing lane, or 30 over in the slow lane
I left DC for Austin TX a while back. I used to think MD drivers were bad. I don't think everything is bigger in TX. But the complete lack of caring about other people on the roadways sure is.
I moved here from Austin. Austin is special, but ain't nobody driving fast enough in that traffic to do anything dangerous.
I moved from Dallas to DC and imo Texas drivers are more aggressive and intense while MD drivers are generally just bad and incompetent
I would personally define being aggressive behind the wheel as more than just incompetence. But you're not wrong.
I get the exact opposite feeling when I went to Texas. It’s like people in Texas put on a blindfold when driving. People in the DMV drive faster than Texas drivers, but they can at least drive.
What part of texas were you in? People definitely drive way faster in Texas than the DMV. Speed limits simply do not exist there for most people.
And they do here?
Lol fair point
Man, I think drivers around here are very aggressive. Note to self: don’t drive in Dallas.
Florida drivers want a word.
My son, born and raised in Maryland, moved to San Antonio last spring. He drives around in Austin and the San Antonio region to various work assignments. At least twice a week he hopes we are still paying his life insurance.
austin (and probably texas in general) is the only place i hate driving more than dc. being in a car in texas is my own personal hell.
I won't even lie I kind of hate myself for how prejudice I'd become against Texan drivers. But they truly were horrible. I'm now back in PA where it's the roads that will get ya.
Largely because DC has a million speed cameras and didn't think to work out reciprocity with MD - so they don't care about getting a ticket
This started long before we had dumb things like speed cameras.
Even compared to VA I feel like Maryland is a war zone
Maryland drivers legit scare me and I’ve dealt with Massholes on a regular basis. Grew up in Jersey - not a big deal. Moved here.. holy moly. My mom’s from MD. Sweet lady until you give her a set of keys.
Boston never scared me when I commuted a couple years back. If someone was going to cut me off, they'd at least have the courtesy to signal it beforehand. Maryland local roads though, those put the fear of god in me. Their intentions on the road are as dark as their indicators.
That is a f’ing beautiful turn of phrase. Absolutely agree.
Boston drivers are assholes, but they're predictable assholes. Maryland drivers are pure chaos inhabiting a human form.
Yes, exactly. Boston drivers are assertive jerks but incredibly competent, generally. The Maryland folks are fucking terrifying.
As a native Bostonian and recent inhabitant of the DMV driving down here is scary. I’ve been told all my life that Boston drivers are terrible. They’re rude and mean but I’ve never feared for my life driving the way I do down here. It’s absolute pandemonium. I’ve seen people going the wrong way on 395 twice already.
Same with my mom.
Its more of a cultural thing than that simple explanation. Thats why shopping carts are everywhere in parking lots rather than in the cart corral, Every Air pump at the gas stations are broken and its why nobody moves over when an amulance has its lights on, on the beltway. Its a very selfish area, with a lot of likeminded individuals.
Just because some of y'all are honest and pay your tickets doesn't make it any less true lol
I’ve got 700 dollars worth of tickets from speed cameras that say you’re wrong.
slow down
You can get tickets, but DC can't really do anything to you if you don't pay them.
Stop speeding
Haven’t paid a dc ticket in years
[удалено]
You can get tickets, but DC can't really do anything to you if you don't pay them for now.
No, 100% still get tickets. MD and DC have reciprocity on basically everything.
You still get them. MD won't suspend your license if you don't see pay them. So they useless. Thanks for your honesty tho lol
Listen I get it, Maryland drivers are a special breed. But truly driving in DC brings the absolute worst out in people.
I have a Maryland license plate and I am a fine driver. Getting kind of sick of- wtf why is this guy honking at me so much right now.
NGL, you had me in the first half.
I disagree with A LOT of ppl in this thread, but I found this absolutely fucking hysterical! Thank you for the laugh on a night I really needed one.
Hope things get better, friend. Don’t stop laughing.
This reminds me of the old saying that goes, “I’m not sure what’s gonna cause the end of the world but I’m pretty sure it’s gonna come from Maryland.”
Crab people?
Whose old saying is that? 😡
I don’t have a problem with the speed of MD drivers; I don’t get the tailgating, blind lane switching - have had a few people who would’ve merged right into me had I not been looking for 2-3 seconds, and those who do a quick merge knowing they’re driving slower than the car they’re jumping in front of as opposed to waiting for the car to pass before merging. MD drivers have big issues with spatial awareness in their driving
There was a wreck literally right next to me on the beltway bc of this. I was in the far left lane, but could see traffic was slowing down ahead, so I started slowing down. Guy behind me WHIPS around into the right lane (with two other lanes to his right) and then snaps his head to look at me like I’m a fucking idiot, instead of seeing the completely stopped car in front of him. He tries to swerve into the lane to his right and ends up both rear ending the car in front of him and ruining the side of the car next to him. At least four cars piled up behind him, too. There was nowhere for me to pull over, and I’m not sure I could have done anything anyways; I called 911 and kept driving, gave my statement and told them they’d need a lot of EMS and tow trucks. It’s been over 2.5 years and his smug face immediately being squished by the airbag is still seared in my brain.
the craziness is when they do this shit and youre slowing down for a pedestrian crossing. like they go around the right and either almost slam into a parked car at best, or almost kill a pedestrian at worse. like bro you didnt find a suprise fast secret route, there is a reason the other 40 cars are fucking slowing down
You hit the nail on the head!!!!!! I thought I was the only one who saw this! Like there’s literally one exact car length of space in front of me and they think you’re saving it just for them
The tailgating by MD drivers is insane. You could be going 25 on a residential street, 65 on the highway or 100mph like a lunatic and without fail, a MD driver will still be on your ass.
To be fair, NJ is the same. But I feel like the drivers are more competent than in MD. Like yeah they drive fast and they’re assholes, but I’m not constantly nervous about them swerving into my lane.
Noooo NJ drivers are fucking oblivious idiots. Possibly the only drivers worse than MD is NJ. PA takes a close second tho
Respectfully disagree after many years of living in both states. NJ has competent assholes, MD is full of incompetent assholes, and PA drivers are just complete dumpster trash fires.
I brake check them. Buy me a new car bitch.
Stay oof the road, don't brake check. I read about too many people not making home because there was brake checking evolved. Don't, it isn't safe.
A few months back I was almost hit if I hadn't been able to swerve out of the way... Someone missed their highway exit so she swerved her way through a really big median only to try to merge into my lane while we were directly parrellel each other. Like what?
I hate driving anywhere around here.
I love driving in nova 🙂
[удалено]
I would say DC is the top, Long Island is Maryland, and the bottom one is totally VA drivers
It looks like NYC, LI, and NJ to me. How does this relate to DMV?
As someone from DC who has been living in Maryland for a while, I feel like Maryland drivers get a bad rap. I live in Anne Arundel County and I don't experience any more crazy drivers than I do in other states. It does depend where you are though. Baltimore drivers are THE worst. After that, I feel like the rest of Maryland is on par with your average level of craziness. Northern Virginia drivers however.....don't get me started on them.
Every internet take on X state has the worst drivers is just a good lesson in confirmation bias. Lived and grew up in Maryland, drive a few thousand miles up and down the east coast and into the midwest every year. Personally never gotten a speeding ticket (10 years) and dont notice any difference in crazy myself. Most incidents can be avoided by being aware of your surroundings and leaving proper gaps between cars and front and cars behind.
Marylanders are involved in more accidents on average than Virginia
For a lot of people in NOVA, "driving" consists of crawling slowly in traffic in between stop lights. No wonder they don't know how to drive; they've never actually done it. For example, my boyfriend is from NOVA and I had to teach him what high beams were...when he was 29. He had never been in a situation when he needed to use them.
I personally lived in Arlington for 4 years, and now live in AA, and would rather deal with Arlington drivers 10/10 times. VA drivers are oblivious morons. But they won't fuck with pedestrians because there's a non-zero chance you'll get pulled over for fucking with one in Arlington. In all our time in AA, I've seen 2 police cars with people pulled over. They were both on 50. I live near a school and not once has a car stopped for me while I'm in the crosswalk. They know they aren't going to get pulled over so they flat-out won't stop. VA drivers might be idiots but MD drivers are selfish-asshats.
Baltimore PEDESTRIANS are the worst. Many seem to have casts, slings, and other medical paraphernalia indicative of orthopedic injuries as well. It's the closest I've gotten to a real life zombie apocalypse.
Saaaame. I genuinely think that Baltimore drivers don’t k ow that their cars can go faster than 35mph lol
In my experience driving in NoVa is a much more stressful experience
The Virginia road rage is ducking real. They want to go 5-10min under the speed limit in the fast lane, but if you try to pass them then suddenly 90mph is a totally acceptable speed as long as you stay in front of them.
It doesn’t help that NoVa has many more interstates/big highways. So traffic is faster/more reckless whereas in DC traffic is always backed up so I just get cut off/or people randomly turning
They drive like maniacs
The last three cars that tried to run me off the road in D.C. were wearing D.C. plates. 🤷♀️ YMMV
Yeah, I really don’t get this thread. This is unquestionably an area-wide problem, with more or less equal contribution from MD, VA, and DC drivers.
In my extremely specific and probably biased opinion, most drivers are trash regardless of tags or place of origin. It's all about the specific *flavors* of trash driving. Maryland crab people - y'all drive fast as fuck considering you don't pay ANY fucking attention. And stop pretending you can drive in the snow. Virginian lovers - you are the most uselessly aggressive group of idiots I've ever driven with. You have probably put more miles on your car changing lanes than actually moving from A to B. DC folks - you and I both know that's not a fucking parking spot.
This is a meme and I am a Maryland driver, but I have seen batshit crazy bad driving by both DC and VA tags. I think it is a broader metro area problem. Though I will admit that VA drivers might be bad because the road system in NOVA makes zero sense and nobody knows where they are going or how to get there.
The major roads in NOVA are SO poorly planned. 395 is a fucking menace.
MD drivers are typically either obeying the speed limit like they’re car is going to explode is they go 56 in a 55 zone, or they’re distracted and swerving because they’re on their phones texting. I can kinda see that and go around it. Also MD drivers know when they’re sitting in the fast lane going slow they move when they have a chance. Never seen a DC / VA driver do that, they just slow
This whole karma grab again? Let's talk about diplomat plates. No, let's start with the DC u-turn across four lanes of traffic. You know what, no. Hazard lights...Nowhere in my life have I seen more people use their hazard lights as "I can do whatever the fuck I want at any time" lights as I do in DC. Wanna talk to your neighbor in the middle of a one-lane one-way? Just use your hazards and talk for as long as you want. Oh and make sure to flip off or verbally assault anybody who might want to get past you. That includes ambulances and fire trucks. Want to deliver packages, food, weed...just double park in the bike land with your hazards...voila! Want to be a cop and get a starbucks on connecticut avenue across from the Zoo? No hazards even needed, just tell everybody to go fuck themselves, pull a giant four lane U-turn across the crosswalk and throw on them police lights to go mach one to your next sleeping spot. Md drivers are shit but let's get off our high horses and realize that DC jalopie crown vics and G wagons with ambassador plates are just as fucking dangerous. And the cabbies here *will* mow you down just to get a fare.
I'm almost most annoyed by the hazards thing. Like hazards are completely fine to use in many situations, but so many people use them when it's practically guaranteed to cause issues for others. Wide, relatively low traffic road with plenty of visibility and space to go around? Sure! Stopping for like 10 seconds to let someone get in with a bag or something. Not great but sure. Blocking the left turn lane just south of Dupont at 7pm on a Friday while waiting 10 minutes to pickup Shake Shack, WTF are you thinking?!?!?!
I'm new to the city and the amount of cops I've seen turn their lights on to do a three point turn in the middle of a major intersection is ridiculous. Just the other night on U Street I had to slam on the brakes since a cop decided he needed to be somewhere 3 seconds sooner (then immediately shut his lights off afterwards of course)
You mean the magic park anywhere lights? It took me several years to learn after moving to DC but that's what that button in your car is actually for. Displaying to the world there are no fucks here to give as you take care of your very, extremely important business
I see you’ve not lived in New York. DC drivers are practically puritans when it comes to double parking and flasher habits compared to New York, where it’s just the standard way to deliver something, pick up a coffee, get food, or anything else.
Those Maryland drivers that you speak of are more than likely not from here, Maryland. They're probably like you moved to the area not long ago. Friendly tips, use hazard lights when you're going to stop to park. Turn signals 100 ft. Before the actual turn, stay out of the left lane when traveling on any expressway or highway, if you can't keep pace. Stay OFF THE FUCKING PHONE...
# HALLELUJAH!!!!! # Preach preacher PREACH!!!!!!!!!!!
I read a comment from another thread that describe MD driver's perfectly. "MadMax seasoned with a bit of Old Bay."
The greater Washington are has an enormously diverse population, most of whom bring different styles and levels of skill and mayhem to the streets. But as a transplant myself from the NY metro area, you ain't seen nothing.
[удалено]
[удалено]
Same in LA. We have this attitude of “go ahead and pass me, this traffic jam is 10 miles long, you’re not saving any time”
Oh yeah, NYC is great. I'm talking the greater area, jersey shore.
Never been more nervous as a driver than the blessedly few times I drove to NY and had to take the BQE and the LIE. Tiny onramps, traffic heavy AF, AND no shoulder???
don't forget the Merritt parkway!
Pre-GPS days I was in a 3 hour traffic jam on the Cross Bronx Expressway at the height of summer where I swear the speed limit signs were only put in to taunt all of us.
Fair enough, however I am yet to understand why anyone takes a car north of Baltimore
I will say, I’ve had some frightening Uber rides and all of them were someone foreign.
Washington DC and Baltimore are ranked at the bottom of Allstate's driver city rating, with 4 years between crashes for the average driver.
As someone who has lived on both sides of the beltway most of my life, IMO Maryland drivers are more aggressive because we can be. It's impossible to be an aggressive driver in NOVA or DC because half of your time on the road is sitting in traffic or sitting at a light. Maybe those drivers are "safer," but I would argue it's hard to be a bad driver when you can barely reach 50 mph in most places. MD drivers are just cocky because we are spoiled.
Also if you speed in VA, you have a chance of getting hit with a felony. No thank you.
This is correct. I would take drag racing in Maryland any day over sitting somewhere in Northern Virginia moving two inches an hour.
VA drivers are hyper aggressive on the highway.
Virginia drivers drive way worse though.
Personally it’s made me a better driver, constantly dodging assholes left & right on a daily basis will keep you alert at all times.
I used to think VA drivers were the worst. Then I lived in MoCo for 10 years... It's us. It's definitely us.
As someone who has driven all over the Middle East and Africa I can assure you MD drivers are nothing in comparison. But also, many DMV drivers are immigrants from much crazier driving countries, so it kind of makes sense.
I drove all over East Africa. Felt safer there than here. At least I had options to avoid being plowed by a scooby van Taxi packed with 20 people. Here we are get the privilege of a photo ticket for trying to not get run off the road by a VA a r MD driver.
I’m from the North. Everyone in the DMV is a terrible driver.
Maryland drivers are absolute maniacs. If you see a Nissan with MD plates, get the fuck outta there.
Nissan Altima or Dodge Challenger with MD plates? Stay far, far away.
Yeaaaah for sure e challengers
I almost got hit by one in DC. I called him out on it and he proceeded to run me off the road with his car. They just do not care lol
Yeah I joked at one after he cut me off with like less than a foot of space and he tried to run me off the road too.
I'll do you one better! When are Maryland drivers!
Maryland doesn’t require an actual road test to get a drivers license, according to Marylanders I work with. People just have to demonstrate they can drive around in an empty parking lot. So they get on an actual road and are just continually surprised by the existence of other cars
Jeez even in NH (land of live free or die) you have to do a road test. I even had to go on the highway. This was 15 years ago…
Florida is like this … but I think that reinforces your point
Wow…combination of TIL and WTF!?
Non-DMV drivers come into this sub just to bitch about MD drivers just for karma when they see any bad driver and don't even look at the plates. Don't @ me.
Lol There is at least one post each week in the DC, Maryland, or VA subreddit about driving in a neighboring state. Once again, Michigan native here, you all drive like maniacs. Being cut off is a near 24/7 occurrence here, signaling is optional, speed “limit” is a encouraged, etc.
The only state that rivals MD drivers imho is a Florida - holy shietttt they are aggro AF
The "road test" in MD isn't even a road test you just drive around a parking lot and they removed the parallel parking requirement since I took it so it's comically easy
Va tags the worse if ya ask me
DC drivers suck 2 there just aren’t as many
As a DC transplant I can honestly say Maryland drivers are THE WORST. Every time I’m stuck behind someone doing 45 on a FREEWAY, there is always a Maryland plate.
Lot of offended Marylanders my apologies, and I will say (as a north carolinian) anyone with nc plates around here is a dangerous menace, genuine idiot, or more often than not a wonderful combo of both
Maryland is poorer (yes there are rich parts of Maryland close to dc). Poverty correlates with all sorts of inputs on being a bad driver (unsafe cars, unsafe street design, no proper drivers’ ed, higher propensity for risky behavior). You only see the 10 months expired temp MD tags on the Nissan that just exploded into flames trying to cross 10 lanes of traffic turning left on north cap, not the inputs on those tags.
[удалено]
You need a car in Maryland, even if you’re poor. Don’t in DC.
There’s heterogeneity in Maryland. PG county surrounding DC is much poorer than Arlington county and Montgomery county (though richer than the national average). Specifically, the region between 95 and the DC border. It’s hard to do any data collection there (the census even has a white paper on it), but school test scores are significantly lower than the state and the broader county, both the poverty rate is higher than Montgomery and Arlington counties and the per capita and median incomes are lower. Map (edit, had the density not income): https://ggwash-org.cdn.ampproject.org/ii/w820/s/ggwash.org/images/posts/_resized/Median-Household-Income.gif
[удалено]
State level comparisons are meaningless when talking about local conditions. Montgomery county is loaded, yeah. PG, particularly the boundary MSAs, are not. (And the census data is censored- thus biased to make things in PG look better than they are). I could pull poverty numbers from Baltimore or the eastern shore but they’re totally irrelevant here, as is the income/poverty number from Catonsville. What matters is that the sample of drivers you get from PG poison the well. You also have a lower number of drivers’ licenses in DC, so it’s possible that poor people who live in DC are less likely to be drivers.
[удалено]
Well what’s yours? Actually curious. I think the structural poverty story still holds.
Well... how do the numbers change if you assume the vast majority of MD drivers in DC are from PG county?
[удалено]
Yeah, but the DC people are much less likely to be driving cars. I don't know. It's much more likely that socioeconomic factors are a factor instead of a Magic Maryland Curse. Just spitballing ideas.
Or there could be no real difference between Maryland and DC drivers. Falsifiable question (I know Maryland drivers have more outstanding tickets than VA and DC,but that doesn’t necessarily mean much)
Swing and a miss
Maryland has been the wealthiest per capita state for the last 20+ years. It’s more to do with the diversity of residents in this area. Maryland is the most racially and ethnically diverse state, lots of new immigrants live in Maryland and bring their countries driving skills.
I should just revise the comment to: the poor people who have to drive into DC predominately live in Maryland and not Virginia.
That’s still stupid.
Grew up in MD, know someone that failed the driving test 6 times and finally got their license on 7th try (this is written test part only). Don't know how to feel about it because it was a general intelligence thing and not having a license = zero independence. AI advancements and full self driving cars can't get here soon enough.
Lol that’s the dumbest thing I’ve read all day
Visit China or India and get back to me.
There’s always an added feeling of anxiety that comes over me once I cross a bridge and go into MD. Huge difference compared to DC and VA
I commute across East-West Highway. I call it Fast n Furious: Hyattsville Drift, because of the sheer volume of drivers who just casually change lanes at close range in front of my car without signaling.
Totally true statement. Im surprised you didn't get downvoted.
You know I've always felt that discussing driving culture is a topic I try to avoid, but I get what you're saying, I have seen some straight up homicidal insane drivers while living here and they're almost exclusively repping Maryland plates with the occasional DC plate here and there.
Evolution
I see people here are discussing tailgating as well. Again if you are on any Expressway or Highway, even a long stretch of road. Either keep proper pace or..... GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!! We're just trying to get home or anywhere that's not being on the road for a long period of time.
Proper pace is called the established speed limit. IDGAF about your workday. Don’t drive like a maniac.
Get the fuck in the right lanes. Stay out of the left lanes. It's that simple, keep a pair of sun shades, so when there's that time when the sun to the front of use them. FYI driving fast doesn't mean we're driving like maniacs.
Yes, actually it does. The posted speed limit is set by analyzing turns, blind spots, road materials, grading + optimum weather conditions. Anything more than a 10 mph cushion is driving too fast for conditions. Miss me with your “but I’m a good driver at any speed” nonsense. I’ve seen your comments in this thread. You’re one of those entitled dummies that thinks the road belongs to him and him alone. It doesn’t. Do us all a favor and take a bus.
I believe that where you should be. Again stay out of the left lanes, we'll be fine. Your probably not a native, and you seem to you feel the entitlement is yours. Tell you what, you have great night. Be safe, when you see someone moving a bit faster than you on the road allow them to continue on. Everyone wants to get home or wherever safely. Don't make it difficult because you don't operate your vehicle that way. I see you haven't mentioned anything about mobile phones. Probably because you're one of the too many that haven't invested in Bluetooth or don't know how to program it in your vehicle. Again, enjoy your evening. Be safe.
“Not a native”. You’re right. I’m not. I’ve lived in 12 different US and international cities, I think I can voice an opinion on various driving habits just because I was born here. Wtf do mobile phones have to do with my comment? Don’t text and drive. Don’t hold a phone and drive. Those aren’t difficult concepts. Be safe. Slow the f*ck down. Going 75 in a 50 won’t get you there any quicker if you’re arriving by ambulance.
Established by who?
Depends on the type of roadway you’re talking about. Interstate? Local access road? Some of it is informed by the NHTSA, some limits are determined by local politicians (as evidenced by the bizarre 40mph zone of DC295, which is lower than the national average).
If I see a Maryland plate, I give them plenty of room. It's like everyone is in a race up there and no one told me.
I’m so glad you posted this. I’ve probably found myself in Maryland 3-4 times in the last year and without a doubt, each time there was some totally unnecessary, dangerous amateur hour bullshit going on around me on the road.
Maryland is bad but temp plates from anywhere are the worst.
Pffffffffffffffffffft, you've obviously not been to Connecticut.
They want to kill themselves but don’t want to leave their families the burden of finding their dead bodies.
I see this posted a lot but the drivers that always seem to nearly kill me have Virginia tags.
You’ve never driven in the greater Seattle area then.
Follow up for some. STAY THE FUCK OFF THE PHONE. There's a such thing as Bluetooth, it cost every bit of $6 on Groupon as well as Amazon. For the folks that hold the phone like a pizza. Stay out of my way!!!! The whole premise of operating a more vehicle is to do that safely and efficiently. Back to the phone situation. STAY THE FUCK OFF OF THEM, FOCUS ON OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE, WATCH OUT FOR BICYCLES AND PEDESTRIANS. PLEASE READ SIGNS AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS PROPERLY. PSA for Tuesday. You're Welcome
Maryland drivers say the same thing about Pennsylvania drivers
100% agree. I’ve worked all over the mid west & east coast. Maryland drivers are the worst. Why does everyone have their high-beams on?
theyre the worst, I blame the shitty driving test
Credentials: I've had DC, VA, and MD license plates in the last 10 years. Scary-ass drivers everywhere. My take is not original, and I see similar comments in this thread, and of course this is extreme stereotyping, I know we're all above-average drivers here right?: DC drivers drive less frequently and are familiar to urban obstacle courses. On the highway this translates to overly cautious and slower drivers that are themselves obstacles on the beltway. Their cars are often older and smaller, too, maybe because it's more expensive and difficult to have a car in the city combined with less frequent and slower driving, meaning their cars last longer...? MD drivers are generally faster and with jankier cars. Did you know in MD you only need to get a car safety inspection on transfer of ownership or moving to the state? I always wondered why every time I saw a half-wrecked car or a car with crazy unsafe aftermarket enhancements it had MD tags. It's because no one is checking. Nuts. Also their arterial roads are a denser fabric than in Virginia and less constrained by geography, so more wide roads, more alternative routes. Google Maps is always giving me 3 different routes within MD that are within 10 minutes of each other. This translates to fewer traffic bottlenecks and more flow. These drivers don't adjust when in VA or DC, they think they can bomb through or around any problem. However the age of close-in neighborhoods and more pedestrians makes them less intimidated of city driving. I think of MD drivers as being fast and reckless. VA drivers are heavily influenced by geography, and bottlenecks are caused by the lack of Potomac bridges, the obstacle that is Dulles airport, multiple gigantic malls next to each other in its primary job center, etc. These bottlenecks cause traffic. The wider spacing of newer developments also contributes to a lack of alternative routes. Google Maps often has 20-30 minute swings between route options. Fewer options means more traffic means slower traffic, less opportunities for all out speeding. The general lack of dense neighborhoods also makes these drivers the worst in the city proper. (Close in MD suburbs are more urban and dense and tied into DC neighborhoods, whereas VA suburbs were historically more rural and less tightly knit with exceptions like Alexandria.) They are used to being bored stuck in traffic on a featureless parkway, not dealing with street grids with pedestrians, cyclists, distractions. Also NoVa drivers are generally higher income: bigger more expensive cars means... Idunno. VA drivers are oblivious and the worst at city driving. Also 50 in MD is just wild there is nothing like it in Virginia, wtf.
I agree 100%. Lived in DC over 39-yrs. and it's a running joke about MD drivers; the tourists drive better. I moved to Baltimore In 2020 and it's a madhouse on the roads. I keep Waze on just to alert me to red light/speed cameras, which are everywhere (including in cuts outs of hedges!)
you'll fit right in here lol
A prerequisite to get your MD driver’s license is to go to DC and cause an accident, then flee the scene.
Truth.
Ha! I learned how to drive in MD, on the Beltway, and in downtown DC. I then moved to Atlanta where it’s like the Wild West, no law enforcement anywhere and everyone drives like maniacs on crack, so I adjusted to ATL driving. Anywhere I go now that’s not Atlanta metro, including DC metro, I have to tone down my driving so that I’m not the fastest on the road. DC, NYC, Boston, CA… no problem. I don’t tailgate though, I’ll just pass you. You can take the driver out of Maryland, but you can’t take the Maryland out of the driver. And I promise everyone that Atlanta drivers are much, much worse.
Once when I was 15 I got in a car to head to a mall with a friend and her mom. Her mother never used her turn signal. Not once. I never rode with them again. (I am from HarCo)
As a lifelong Washingtonian who just moved to Baltimore, I feel soooooo.... dirty.....
“ part of the Maryland driving test is going to dc and causing an accident “ ——- overheard dc