Suburban SUV drivers...

[Anonymous]

I get so sick and tired of DC snobs! I have lived here for years and have no problems driving in the city. So many DC residents find out where you live and then write you off. I have lived all over the world and have never encountered such snobbery from people who really have nothing to be snobby about.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in the middle of two other major world cities and remember that friends who moved to the outskirts received the same horrified treatment. Yes, those were bigger and better cities, but the city vs. suburb debate is not unique to DC.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I didn't want this to be a discussion about suburbs vs cities. I don't consider myself a DC snob, we don't have a fancy house, don't drive a fancy car and are overall very modest. We also don't send our kids to private schools, we don't eat organic food exclusively, and *gasp* I even drink tap water.

But I live in DC. I chose the city over the suburbs. You turn your back on it when you commute back to your suburb, I don't. I think DC is amongst the most hated cities in this country and people don't really seem to have much respect for it. And the way some people drive in this city seems to reflect that. They seem to hate bikers and pedestrians and seem to be angry about the fact that they cannot drive at 35+ mph.

I just do not understand why it is not common sense to adjust your driving style, once you enter a city. It's not a freeway, the streets are more narrow and people walk around. (a luxury you have when everything is close by, my main reason to live in the city)

[Anonymous]

I was born and raised in DC but also lived in New York, Chicago, London and Athens. Believe me, DC is not a real city - it is not walkable in most areas (most people in DC need a car and many have at least one car), and no tall buildings. I'd consider it a mini-city, but it isn't a city in the true sense of the word. And in all the places I lived, the meanest ones live right here in DC.

But back to the topic at hand - I completely agree that SUVs are dangerous and those who talk on cell phones while driving are putting many lives at risk. Both should be banned.

Ditto this. I honestly have to wonder how many of the posters on this board are from smaller towns. Not that small towns are a bad thing - one whole side of my family is from a small town and I often dream of ditching DC and moving there (can't, based on H's job). But the preoccupation on city life v. suburban life makes me wonder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As long as there are child safety laws requiring seats and boosters, and a desire to car-pool (net lower number of vehicles on the road) there will be SUVs.

I have one, hate it and only drive it when I need to, but we can pile into the back of the station wagon the way we did as kids anymore.

If SUVs were used as a commuting vehicle I think it would not create the ire that it does. However, most of the time I see an SUV, especially one as large as a Suburban, there is only the driver and perhaps one carseat in it.

[Anonymous]

ok, now i'm confused.... OP, were you complaining about Suburban (the Chevy model) SUV drivers or suburban (the geographical location) SUV drivers???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ok, now i'm confused.... OP, were you complaining about Suburban (the Chevy model) SUV drivers or suburban (the geographical location) SUV drivers???

my understanding is that the OP was venting about Chevy Suburban SUV drivers.

[Anonymous]

I read it the other way...non-city dwelling operators of large vehicles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ok, now i'm confused.... OP, were you complaining about Suburban (the Chevy model) SUV drivers or suburban (the geographical location) SUV drivers???

my understanding is that the OP was venting about Chevy Suburban SUV drivers.

Like Chevy Chase?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read it the other way...non-city dwelling operators of large vehicles.

OP here. Yes, I meant the non-city dwelling operators. Maybe I could have said commuting SUV drivers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read it the other way...non-city dwelling operators of large vehicles.

OP here. Yes, I meant the non-city dwelling operators. Maybe I could have said commuting SUV drivers.

It's sort of funny. We've sort of been talking about slightly different things. I particularly dislike the Chevy Suburban driver because they don't seem to have very good control of the cavernous vehicle, all the while yapping on the cell phone.

[Anonymous]

I particularly dislike petty people-suburban, urban, and rural alike.

[Anonymous]

But I live in DC. I chose the city over the suburbs. You turn your back on it when you commute back to your suburb, I don't. I think DC is amongst the most hated cities in this country and people don't really seem to have much respect for it. And the way some people drive in this city seems to reflect that. They seem to hate bikers and pedestrians and seem to be angry about the fact that they cannot drive at 35+ mph.

Honestly, OP, I think you're a little oversensitive about DC if you presume bad driving is somehow a sign of disrespect for the district. It is what it is - just plain bad driving. I see lots of bad drivers with every different kind of license plate. And fwiw, I see lots of incredibly negligent bikers zooming in and out of lanes w/o helmets and sporting earbuds....I wouldn't take this behavior as a reflection on their views of the District - just stupid and dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

But I live in DC. I chose the city over the suburbs. You turn your back on it when you commute back to your suburb, I don't. I think DC is amongst the most hated cities in this country and people don't really seem to have much respect for it. And the way some people drive in this city seems to reflect that. They seem to hate bikers and pedestrians and seem to be angry about the fact that they cannot drive at 35+ mph.

Honestly, OP, I think you're a little oversensitive about DC if you presume bad driving is somehow a sign of disrespect for the district. It is what it is - just plain bad driving. I see lots of bad drivers with every different kind of license plate. And fwiw, I see lots of incredibly negligent bikers zooming in and out of lanes w/o helmets and sporting earbuds....I wouldn't take this behavior as a reflection on their views of the District - just stupid and dangerous.

Actually, I did have a colleague who lived in NoVA. This family man admitted to being a more erratic driver in DC than when he drove in NoVA.

[Anonymous]

I think there are an equal amount of asshole city drivers. Everyone has got somewhere to go that is REALLY important and everyone is five minutes late and didn't expect the traffic on ______ (insert major artery there, Mass, Conn. Wisc Ave) and everyone is yapping into their phones at hoping the babysitter can stay one more hour and blah blah blah. Yes, the Marylanders may come tromping in with their oversized vehicles and drives like nimrods, but everyone turns into a dick in their cars around here. It is a conscious effort for me to NOT flip everyone off, ride bumbers, honk, cut someone off. The anonymity of the road (like DCURBANMOMS) creates some real ugliness.

I will say that moms are more distracted my screaming baby/yelling toddler/whiny friend/ringing cellphone and Raffi blaring on the stereo. But it is the MEN who are totally rude, IMO. They DO NOT give a shit. At least most of the moms I see have a lot going on in the car, what is the excuse of some if these men???