[Jennifer L.]

I have recently moved to Birmingham, Ala., and I love everything about the city except the driving, particularly the tailgating. I have lived in big cities and have never been bothered by traffic, so this is not just an issue of city congestion. Birmingham tailgating is truly a hazard. I have seen so many rear-ending accidents that I have literally stopped driving on the interstate for fear of my safety. Why do people seem to tailgate more in Birmingham? Is it just normal in Birmingham to drive a car-length or less behind other vehicles at high speeds? Or is there a purpose (such as preventing other drivers from entering your lane)?

User Detail :  

Name : Jennifer L., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 28, City : Birmingham, State : AL, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Augustine23393]

I drove through Birmingham recently, on a Saturday afternoon, and I have to say I would not want to drive in that city on a regular basis. I can only wonder what it must be like during rush hour! Anyway, it seems like every area has its own driving shibboleths. In Columbia, South Carolina, it is the reckless way people turn corners. First of all, they don’t make a 90-degree turn, like you’re supposed to, it’s more like a 45-degree turn, what I have come to call ‘corner-clipping’. Secondly, people here simply do not watch what they are doing when they turn the corner — caution for pedestrians seems to be viewed as a quaint throwback to the days before advanced life support! I came ‘just that close’ to being hit when I was crossing the street a couple of years ago; the lady slowed down to say ‘sorry’, but ‘sorry’ would not have brought me back if she’d hit and killed me! People, when you’re driving, nothing is more important than safety. Nothing. Not that cell phone call, not getting where you’re going in a hurry, not soccer practice, nothing.

User Detail :  

Name : Augustine23393, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 39, City : Columbia, State : SC, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Ann23803]

I’m a Southerner, and from what I’ve witnessed, urban Southerners are aggressive drivers compared to others. I don’t know why, but it is dangerous driving in the cities if you’re not used to the speed and rudeness.

User Detail :  

Name : Ann23803, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, City : Nowhere, State : GA, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : 4 Years of College, 

[Melissa]

It’s not just Birmingham, it’s this whole state! No one in this state can drive, I believe. I’ve driven in very large cities, and the traffic flows, and people obey traffic laws, and everything is good. I guess it’s the redneck in us that makes us drive badly … I have no idea.

User Detail :  

Name : Melissa, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 22, City : Montgomery, State : AL, Country : United States, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Sheeba]

I’ve lived in Birmingham for almost twenty years. I commute daily here in town, but I also have to drive frequently in other states and regions. After you get used to driving in Birmingham, traffic elsewhere seems to move really slowly. Speed it up, and maybe people won’t tailgate you as much! Seriously, I drive 80+ mph on the way to and from work, and I’m in the right lane with people streaming past me. So if you’re trying to drive 55, you WILL have people on your tail. And most of all, get out of the left lane if you’re not moving the speed of other traffic.

User Detail :  

Name : Sheeba, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 47, City : Birmingham, State : AL, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Author]

Posts