How to survive while driving in Silicon Valley
Oct 26 '00
Silicon Valley and its encompassing areas has some of the most crowded freeways and streets in the United States. I consider myself a veteran of these roads, having driven them for the past four years, as well as having driven in other busy metropolitan areas in the US. Here is what I deem to be a survival guide to driving in Silicon Valley:
1) Stay off your cell phone in moving traffic. This is not only a safety issue, but it can be downright annoying. Too many times I have seen too-close-for-comfort incidents where a driver who is chatting on the phone and not paying attention in 70 MPH traffic, swerve lanes and nearly knock into another vehicle. If you must talk on the phone in that rare instance when traffic is moving, use one of the newly popular hands-free options, and stay in your lane. I myself have nearly been sideswiped several times by a swerving, cellphone using motorist.
2) If you are going to drive the speed limit, get out of the left lane. Yes, it is the speed limit, but that enormous line of cars behind you (which almost always includes me!) needs to get somewhere and fast. Time is tight for everyone these days - do everyone a favor and MOVE OVER! You can abide by the speed limit in the right lane, and let other vehicles who like and need to drive faster get by you. I often find the speedier traffic in the right lanes, which is where I often pass the people actually doing the speed limit in the left lanes.
3) ALWAYS give the bus the right of way. The bus drivers either don't look, don't see you, or just don't care if they run over your compact/sports car/sedan. If you see a bus getting ready to pull away from the curb, move over a lane as quickly as possible. I am convinced they never look, as too many times I have been clearly driving in the lane where the bus would like to pull into, and rather than wait for me to pass, it will pull in front of me, often soliciting a honk from my horn, or cause me to swerve into the next lane. Save yourself and get out of its way!
4) If you are on a 2 lane street and going 15 MPH, pull over and wait for others to pass you. You may be looking for directions or (again!) chatting on the phone, but be courteous, pull over and let that enormous line behind you get by. I live in a fairly rural area, with many of these 2 lane streets. I am often stuck behind someone either lost or just being selfish and hogging the road by going 10 MPH. I often honk at them and they hit the gas a bit, but sometimes, they ignore me and continue to hold up several other cars. When looking for a street or being completely lost, I often wave others past me, because I know how frustrating it can be.
5) When merging into traffic, do not slow down. You should be going the speed of the traffic you are attempting to get into. Those in the right hand lane you are going into have the right of way, and too many times I have seen merging motorists slam on their brakes at the point of merge, causing the driver in the already moving lane to become confused and slam on his brakes. I have found this to be a fairly friendly state (compared to NY) and have learned that people will let you merge, provided you are going the proper speed of the freeway traffic.
6) Finally, when the light turns green, GO. The light cycles can be short and there are people behind you who do not want to sit for another 3-4 minutes through a light cycle. Pay attention, and when its your turn, GO!
That's it. Hope you have enjoyed it and maybe even learned something. Next time you are driving in the left lane going 55 MPH and see a white Mustang on your tail, think of me and move over!!!!
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