Driving in Kentucky (Lexington)

[justanotherguy505]

For those of us who live in Kentucky, especially Lexington, we've all seen the idiot who camps in the left lane, or who can't use a turn signal or a four-way. However, having driven in many other states, I find that the stoplights here suck. Whenever I work late, I use Georgetown road, and without fail, I will hit the light at Citation, Nandino, and Mercer (Nandino and Mercer are timed, and are extremely long - 2.5 minutes). Of course, we all know about Nicholasville Road or Man O' War, as you can hit 6 stoplights out of 8 with regular flow of traffic (don't get me started on the smaller cities, especially Richmond and Georgetown). Unfortunately, the poll limits my options, but I have experienced every single one of these scenarios on multiple occasions. What's your favorite part of driving in Kentucky?

 

[*CatinIL*]

I'm glad to hear that Lexington traffic hasn't changed in the past 30 years.

 

[Punkin Puss]

Transy students walking out in front your car only paying attention to their phone.

 

[cawoodsct]

Never had too much of a problem to be honest but I use every short cut known to man when driving in Lex.

 

[justanotherguy505]

Never had too much of a problem to be honest but I use every short cut known to man when driving in Lex.

I do too, but now, a lot of people are using them, which sort of cancels out the benefits, but there are still some good short-cuts. However, going from Georgetown to Nicholasville = No Bueno, especially at rush hour. I don't live in Nicholasville, but I go there multiple times per week.

 

[rudd1]

- people who drive aggressively/well over the posted speed limit/tailgate. Just because you are ****** at time management... doesn't mean you should inflict your issues on other drivers. Your poor planning isn't everyone else's problem. Get better at life, loser.

 

[WildcatFan1982]

Turning left on Vine

 

[Boogie Fan]

Grew up in Lexington, and miss Central KY sometimes but don't miss the Lexington traffic. Guess it's as awful as it was all those years ago.

 

[funKYcat75]

The Four Way Stop is the one that gets me. They’re either staring at you, waving at you to go through, or racing to get through it first. Just take turns, dumbasses. I don’t need your permission to go. You’ve been sitting there longer, so drive. Oh, OK, I guess I’ll start going …..oops, now you’re going to head on through? Oh, hit the brakes and gesture at me. Sure. I’m the idiot.

 

[Glenn's Take]

It's a particular quirk because it doesn't come up to often but I have one by my house. People that treat a traffic circle like a 4 way stop. The point of it is so that you don't have to stop unless somebody else is already in the circle that is close. It's a much more efficient and safe method if people know how to use them correctly.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

Camping out in the left lane on a highway has to be the worst problem.

Unless there is heavy traffic or some other issue that forces you left, it is illegal to drive in the left lane.

If you are in the left lane and a faster car approaches from behind, it is your job to move out of the way as soon as you can safely do so. The faster car has the right of way, even if they’re speeding.

It’s a pretty simple concept and the roads would be safer and traffic would flow better if these people started demonstrating even a basic level of lane discipline (in other words, learn how to drive correctly).

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Any vehicle that has Ohio plates

 

[CB3UK]

You left lane drivers on New Circle who camp out going 50 can all rot in Hades.

Get. The. ****. Over.

 

[H. Lecter]

Y’all are not the boss of me. I can stay in the left lane as long as I want. I’m going fast enough so y’all are going fast enough. I don’t care if I’m holding up the flow of traffic a mile back. And when you speed around me I’ll just give you the finger but I’m still not getting over. I’m a bad *** behind this wheel. Y’all don’t own the road. Why should I simply get over? Y’all are idiots!

 

[Tskware]

- people who drive aggressively/well over the posted speed limit/tailgate. Just because you are ****** at time management... doesn't mean you should inflict your issues on other drivers. Your poor planning isn't everyone else's problem. Get better at life, loser.

Winner winner chicken dinner

 

[jwheat]

Any vehicle that has Ohio plates

I came in here hoping to see an IFO reference and you did not disappoint

thank you sir

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

People who merge onto New Circle aggressively. They don’t care who is in the right lane or why.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I've lived in many states......there are idiot drivers and there are idiosyncrasies everywhere. I think that the Lex is better than most actually. But I will say that in general, I dislike driving in cities as a general rule.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

I've lived in many states......there are idiot drivers and there are idiosyncrasies everywhere. I think that the Lex is better than most actually. But I will say that in general, I dislike driving in cities as a general rule.

Would agree. I’d gladly put up with Lexington drivers over Ohio drivers any day of the week.

 

[CB3UK]

People who merge onto New Circle aggressively. They don’t care who is in the right lane or why.

You're supposed to move over to allow incoming traffic on to the road. Unfortunately where it's 2 lane like around Nich Rd that doesnt always work.

I see both sides for sure. You're definitely right there are times it's not possible due to heavy left lane traffic, in which case yeah **** the guy coming just jamming in there come hell or high water.

Conversely the people who do not move over to the left lane when it's midday or later at night and the left lane is open, yeah **** them too.

 

[CB3UK]

- people who drive aggressively/well over the posted speed limit/tailgate. Just because you are ****** at time management... doesn't mean you should inflict your issues on other drivers. Your poor planning isn't everyone else's problem. Get better at life, loser.

Agree with you if you're in the right lane and they're doing this, or rush hour traffic is just heavy and there's nothing that can be done. If this is happening at lower traffic times and you're in the left lane then you are the problem, not the person trying to get around you. All depends on situation.

 

[Tskware]

I have a new contender. Rode my bike to work today, obeyed traffic signals etc., got to Main Street with zero problems.

But then damn near got creamed by a kid on one of the new orange electric scooters who was going 20 MPH on the sidewalk. I was slowing up to a corner stop light by Gray Construction, and luckily was hitting the brakes when he zoomed right past my face, barely said "sorry" and then went careening on up the next block.

Someone is going to get really hurt by one of those things.

 

[ZakkW]

1. If it looks like it's going to be a tie at a 3 or 4 way stop, brake short and go on through.
2. Eyeball the crosswalk countdown as you are approaching a green light, if it's under 5 hit the gas to get through
3. Don't wait to turn left at an endless red light if there are no vehicles in sight nearing the crossing intersection.
4. Move into the RIGHT lane on Man o' War or the northern part New Circle to go around the line of vehicles who have lined up in the LEFT lane to turn left
5. If at all possible use the no-stoplight stretch of New Circle to go from one side of the city to the other

 

[chroix]

Having lived other places that have real traffic issues I view Lexington drivers complaints as humorous. Got to LA or Miami or any other major metro at rush hour for a couple of days and then get back to me about how bad traffic in Lex sucks.

 

[Rebelfreedomeagle]

Having lived other places that have real traffic issues I view Lexington drivers complaints as humorous. Got to LA or Miami or any other major metro at rush hour for a couple of days and then get back to me about how bad traffic in Lex sucks.

I agree just based on Kentucky. Lexington has some bad drivers but the ratio is better than Louisville and way better than northern Kentucky.

 

[Tskware]

Having lived other places that have real traffic issues I view Lexington drivers complaints as humorous. Got to LA or Miami or any other major metro at rush hour for a couple of days and then get back to me about how bad traffic in Lex sucks.

QFT, one daughter lived in DC for a while, which comes to a complete stop at 5 PM, and another daughter now lives in LA County, get on the 405 at 8:30 AM, and you will think Man O War is a bike path.

Also, I had a meeting at an office building in Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta few years ago (we were on the 34th floor) and the lady who worked there mentioned how bad traffic was in Atlanta, and pointed out the window at I-75 which at 1 PM looked like a parking lot, literally not one car was moving.

 

[rudd1]

Agree with you if you're in the right lane and they're doing this, or rush hour traffic is just heavy and there's nothing that can be done. If this is happening at lower traffic times and you're in the left lane then you are the problem, not the person trying to get around you. All depends on situation.

-nope. If I'm driving 5-10mph over on NC or the interstate and I'm gradually passing cars in the right lane I'm fine. If I have room to get over without compromising my progress I will. If I'm traveling at a reasonable speed(5-10 over the limit) I'm not gonna hem myself in(behind slow lane traffic) in the left lane so you can pass me at 20 over the limit. Again this assumes I'm not just poking along...and am passing cars myself.

-again you running late isn't my problem. Set an alarm.

-the reality is if you do the math you're not making up significant time... you're creating an unnecessary risk(for yourself and most importantly others) and wasting fuel. Get better and life *and* math.

 

[Tskware]

-nope. If I'm driving 5-10mph over on NC or the interstate and I'm gradually passing cars in the right lane I'm fine. If I have room to get over without compromising my progress I will. If I'm traveling at a reasonable speed(5-10 over the limit) I'm not gonna hem myself in(behind slow lane traffic) in the left lane so you can pass me at 20 over the limit. Again this assumes I'm not just poking along...and am passing cars myself.

-again you running late isn't my problem. Set an alarm.

-the reality is if you do the math you're not making up significant time... you're creating an unnecessary risk(for yourself and most importantly others) and wasting fuel. Get better and life *and* math.

PS, New Circle is not an interstate, speed limit is 55 for a reason, and is not just a suggestion. I hate NCR for that reason, seems way tighter than your average interstate, has a lot of on-off ramps which clog traffic, but has heavy traffic at times, and too many *** hats feel like they have to drive 70 MPH+ everywhere they go.

 

[FtWorthCat]

Lexington traffic has always been awful for a City that size. But try driving in D/FW these days. Over the last 30 years, twice as many cars, not enough additional roads have been constructed, speed limit is higher so people drive faster, everyone is on their cell phone, and everyone is armed and short tempered. Road rage shootings are a weekly if not daily occurrence. I actually consider whether it is worth risking my life to leave the house and get out in that mess these days.

 

[AustinTXCat]

Greatest Lexington driving hazard between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend is located out on I-75. It's known as the dreaded (drumroll please):

The Ohio navy is a name given to Ohioans who go boating in Kentucky.

These reckless swine invade from the north. They care about nothing except for their boats.

Proceed with caution. Good luck.

 

[jameslee32]

When they designed New Circle way back when, what in tf did they expect?

 

[BravesRule]

-nope. If I'm driving 5-10mph over on NC or the interstate and I'm gradually passing cars in the right lane I'm fine. If I have room to get over without compromising my progress I will. If I'm traveling at a reasonable speed(5-10 over the limit) I'm not gonna hem myself in(behind slow lane traffic) in the left lane so you can pass me at 20 over the limit. Again this assumes I'm not just poking along...and am passing cars myself.

-again you running late isn't my problem. Set an alarm.

-the reality is if you do the math you're not making up significant time... you're creating an unnecessary risk(for yourself and most importantly others) and wasting fuel. Get better and life *and* math.

If you’re doing 60 in the left lane on New Circle… GET OUT OF THE WAY.

You can sit in the right lane with the other grandma’s. If you’re late because of that, it isn’t my problem.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

You're supposed to move over to allow incoming traffic on to the road. Unfortunately where it's 2 lane like around Nich Rd that doesnt always work.

I see both sides for sure. You're definitely right there are times it's not possible due to heavy left lane traffic, in which case yeah **** the guy coming just jamming in there come hell or high water.

Conversely the people who do not move over to the left lane when it's midday or later at night and the left lane is open, yeah **** them too.

Oh I’ll move over if I can. Every time. Sometimes people Just merge on all willy nilly even if I can’t slow down or speed up. I hope they enjoy:
A. The shoulder
B the bridge railing

because in that case that’s where they’ll end ip

 

[chroix]

QFT, one daughter lived in DC for a while, which comes to a complete stop at 5 PM, and another daughter now lives in LA County, get on the 405 at 8:30 AM, and you will think Man O War is a bike path.

Also, I had a meeting at an office building in Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta few years ago (we were on the 34th floor) and the lady who worked there mentioned how bad traffic was in Atlanta, and pointed out the window at I-75 which at 1 PM looked like a parking lot, literally not one car was moving.

Yep. DC, LA and Atlanta traffic can make you question all kinds of life decisions.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Greatest Lexington driving hazard between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend is located out on I-75. It's known as the dreaded (drumroll please):

The Ohio navy is a name given to Ohioans who go boating in Kentucky.

These reckless swine invade from the north. They care about nothing except for their boats.

Proceed with caution. Good luck.

We call them FIFO's.......

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

-nope. If I'm driving 5-10mph over on NC or the interstate and I'm gradually passing cars in the right lane I'm fine. If I have room to get over without compromising my progress I will. If I'm traveling at a reasonable speed(5-10 over the limit) I'm not gonna hem myself in(behind slow lane traffic) in the left lane so you can pass me at 20 over the limit. Again this assumes I'm not just poking along...and am passing cars myself.

-again you running late isn't my problem. Set an alarm.

-the reality is if you do the math you're not making up significant time... you're creating an unnecessary risk(for yourself and most importantly others) and wasting fuel. Get better and life *and* math.

People who drive in the left lane are a greater hazard to the safety of others than people who are speeding. That’s
significant reason why left lane laws exist in the first place.

If you’re not in the act of overtaking someone (or in heavy traffic), then you have no business being in the left lane. Particularly if a faster car comes up from behind since they have the right of way in that situation.

If you stay in the left lane, then you’re being a nuisance to other drivers, creating unnecessary congestion, forcing others to overtake on the right and breaking the law in the state of Kentucky.

And not everyone who speeds is running late. Some people just enjoy driving fast for it’s own sake.

 

[Rebelfreedomeagle]

When they designed New Circle way back when, what in tf did they expect?

I recall the Herald reporting that Fayette county got a really bad score in traffic safety from NHTSA, mostly because of the design of New Circle and Man o War. New Circle's pretty median made crossover crashes common and Man o War's curbs turn it into a pinball machine in winter.

It was shortly after this that cables started showing up in the medians. One section of cables wasn't a month old and I saw that it stopped a loose construction trailer on the edge of the other side. I was pretty impressed.

I couldn't find the article so if anyone else remembers it, there were other roads called out.

 

[CB3UK]

-nope. If I'm driving 5-10mph over on NC or the interstate and I'm gradually passing cars in the right lane I'm fine. If I have room to get over without compromising my progress I will. If I'm traveling at a reasonable speed(5-10 over the limit) I'm not gonna hem myself in(behind slow lane traffic) in the left lane so you can pass me at 20 over the limit. Again this assumes I'm not just poking along...and am passing cars myself.

-again you running late isn't my problem. Set an alarm.

-the reality is if you do the math you're not making up significant time... you're creating an unnecessary risk(for yourself and most importantly others) and wasting fuel. Get better and life *and* math.

If you're going 5 or 10 over in the left lane to pass someone on the right, then yes, we are in agreement.


If you're camping out in the left doing that then no, you are in the wrong. Sorry. It is in fact against the law in many states to do it. Whether the person behind you is simply being an ***, is running late, or whatever isn't germane. Lmao at the temerity of justifying being a ****** and rude driver because "I may or may not agree with why the person behind me is trying to get around me." You don't have a right to just sit in the left lane, even if you're traveling over the speed limit. Sorry, you're simply wrong about that.


Hopefully this diagram will help clarify it for you and others of your selfish ilk:

And to finish I'm not one of those drivers. But if I see someone behind me and I can get out of of the way, I do, because I'm not an oblivious and selfish jackass.

 

[justanotherguy505]

There was a cop camping out in the left lane on New Circle earlier today; he was going 55 MPH. Even cops don't follow traffic laws; in fact, they're some of the worst.

 

[CB3UK]

Oh I’ll move over if I can. Every time. Sometimes people Just merge on all willy nilly even if I can’t slow down or speed up. I hope they enjoy:
A. The shoulder
B the bridge railing

because in that case that’s where they’ll end ip

Yep we're in agreement then. Idiots who brake and slow to 20 mph to get on piss me off too. You've got to use your side mirror and have some awareness as you come up the on ramp. Just flying over in to the lane without any regard for whether the guy coming up in the right lane can't get over because it's rush hour, eff those folks.