2008 Woodie Awards
Driving in Greenville: are there worse things?
Margot Rogerson, Opinion Writer
Issue date: 8/14/08 Section: Opinion
I did not begin my driving career in North Carolina; in fact, I began driving in Maryland, surrounded by the aggressive Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey drivers coming to vacation in Ocean City.
When I decided to move to Greenville and attend ECU, I didn't think that my driving experience would work against me.
Not only do they talk differently, Northern and Southern people drive differently too.
For example, a light turns yellow as the third car in front of me is going underneath it: My Northern experience would lead me to believe that I will probably make it.
Because in the North, one must "go for the gold."
Imagine my surprise when the second car immediately slams on the breaks to avoid running the yellow light. I can admit that I have gotten close to rear-ending some cars because of this type of behavior.
It's just not a situation that my previous experience prepared me for.
I recently had to have my car towed. The driver of the tow truck was from New York and he told me that he had been driving a tow truck for 20 years, but had his first accident in Greenville when he moved here five months ago.
He rear-ended someone at a yellow light.
Apart from these situations, there are other things that Northern and Southern drivers do differently.
Northern drivers know the difference between the fast lane and the slow lane.
I suppose there is something to be said for the safe, slow style of the Southern drivers. At times, Northern drivers speed in excess and act too aggressively. However, I still think in general they are more cautious and defensive drivers.
I am sure that some of the Southern drivers that read this article will not think of it fondly, but I know that my Northern counterparts will definitely agree.
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
When I decided to move to Greenville and attend ECU, I didn't think that my driving experience would work against me.
Not only do they talk differently, Northern and Southern people drive differently too.
For example, a light turns yellow as the third car in front of me is going underneath it: My Northern experience would lead me to believe that I will probably make it.
Because in the North, one must "go for the gold."
Imagine my surprise when the second car immediately slams on the breaks to avoid running the yellow light. I can admit that I have gotten close to rear-ending some cars because of this type of behavior.
It's just not a situation that my previous experience prepared me for.
I recently had to have my car towed. The driver of the tow truck was from New York and he told me that he had been driving a tow truck for 20 years, but had his first accident in Greenville when he moved here five months ago.
He rear-ended someone at a yellow light.
Apart from these situations, there are other things that Northern and Southern drivers do differently.
Northern drivers know the difference between the fast lane and the slow lane.
I suppose there is something to be said for the safe, slow style of the Southern drivers. At times, Northern drivers speed in excess and act too aggressively. However, I still think in general they are more cautious and defensive drivers.
I am sure that some of the Southern drivers that read this article will not think of it fondly, but I know that my Northern counterparts will definitely agree.
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 22
Me
posted 8/14/08 @ 12:30 PM EST
I'm Southern and I agree!!
Sourthern and proud!
posted 8/14/08 @ 1:48 PM EST
This article is really stupid. First of all, people up North have no respect for pedestrians. While up in New York City one day, I was crossing the street with about 30 other people with a WALK sign and all of the sudden a stupid cab comes out of nowhere and almost runs us over. (Continued…)
Edward
posted 8/14/08 @ 3:07 PM EST
Here's a tip, don't tailgate some other car and you won't rear-end them. You might just run into somebody that doesn't have a problem being rear ended and while they are being loaded into an ambulance they are moaning "My check, I mean my neck". (Continued…)
Anne
posted 8/14/08 @ 6:55 PM EST
A yellow light does not mean "speed up." If there are three cars in front of you and the light is turning yellow, you are foolish to think that you can or SHOULD make that light. (Continued…)
David
posted 8/14/08 @ 9:31 PM EST
The word is spelled "brakes" and if you think northern drivers are more cautious and defensive, you probably don't need to be on the road in the first place. (Continued…)
phillip
posted 8/15/08 @ 4:08 PM EST
The worst thing is people don't know how to go the speed limit. Greenville Blvd is 45 MPH not 25MPH. If you don't know where you are going you can still go the speed limit and turn around if you miss it. (Continued…)
Liz
posted 8/16/08 @ 2:08 PM EST
If you don't like the way we drive, you can go back up North where you belong!
LOL
posted 8/18/08 @ 10:12 AM EST
Amen. I'm from the South, and even I think Greenville has the worst drivers I've ever seen.
1) Traffic signals are incomprehensibly short here, so when they do decide to turn green, how about not dawdling & leisurely taking your time getting moving through them. (Continued…)
Southern
posted 8/18/08 @ 11:36 AM EST
The thing that makes Greenville traffic so bad is people from the North that can't drive. There is a speed limit and yellow lights for a reason.
Also, when driving I have to pass people from the North in the slow lane because they get in the left lane and stay there. (Continued…)
Rick Ross
posted 8/18/08 @ 7:44 PM EST
Some people dont want to burn gas and just cruise and listen to their Maybach Music
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