July 1, 2008
Watch out for that navy-blue Jeep
According to the following statistic and related study, I am overdue for my next car accident:
Nashville drivers are 10 times less likely to get in a crash than the average U.S. driver and average about 11 years between collisions.
I last had a fender-bender in October 1995, so you’ve been warned. Does this mean that Nashville drivers’ reputation for being awful on the road is greatly exaggerated?
![Rob Robinson](http://thinktrain.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/Rob.jpg")
Paul Nicholson said,
July 1, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
Yes. Nashville drivers are bad only in that they are too conservative and safe (as a group) and cause issues as such. Biggest pet peeve is that everyone lines up in one lane, single-file, because no one will change lanes on the interstate, multi-lane roads, etc.
Contrast this with central texas where i grew up and still occasionally visit where everyone tries to keep max space around them and the cars around them and are all constantly changing lanes (and doing 80mph).
Nashville drivers are awesome compared to most.
oh - and i’ve got you covered. i average a wreck about every 3-4 years, so you’re good for a while.
Rob Robinson said,
July 2, 2008 @ 7:40 am
Having lived (and driven) here most of my life, this is encouraging to hear. I’ve trekked elsewhere plenty of times and lived in Virginia for a few years in college, but nearly all of my driving has been in Nashville. I guess I’ve tended to assume that our driving is bad because everyone says it is.
One summer in college a friend of mine from Houston lived here in town along with me. He considered the local radio “traffic” reports comedy because he kept laughing at the reporters complaining about 15 minute delays. Even though our traffic has gotten steadily more congested over the years, I’ve driven in Houston, and he’s right: We have nothing on its rush hour traffic jams.
Thanks, Paul. I appreciate your helping us keep that average consistent.
Mike said,
July 2, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
> Does this mean that Nashville drivers’ reputation for being awful on the road is greatly exaggerated?
No. It just means that we have more highway lanes per person than most cities. As for the wonderfully patient Nashvillians who line up for miles in the exit lane, I thank them daily. Those of us trained to drive in NY find it convenient that we can pull up right to the exit in the open lane and have someone actually let you in.
Rob Robinson said,
July 3, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
I’m glad to hear that some of us are patient and kind on the road. I guess most of us are, but I seem to notice their counterparts just as often.
I love visiting NYC, but I’d just as soon not drive there.