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What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways?
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Calibob
User ID: 318769
7/23/2008 8:20 PM
Report abusive post | What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways?
| Quote |
I'd like to get the truth from people in different areas about how the traffic conditions have changed lately.
I live in San Diego, and things have changed drastically.
I've lived here and driven on the major freeways I-5 & I-805 during "peak" hours for the last ten years. In the past for example, driving from North County SD South on the I-5 anytime between 8 AM-11AM meant serious gridlock. It would be stop and go.. averaging about 10 mph.
For the last month everything has changed. I drive the same freeways I always have, and it is almost empty much of the time. On my southbound drive, which I used to dread, I am going on four straight work weeks without having to slow down below 55.
Very strange.
Do people think these changes have to do with --
1) People using more public transportation
2) Carpooling
3) Only driving when absolutely necessary
4) Real Unemployment numbers are much much higher than reported
I see it as a combination of all... but I seriously suspect and worry that #4 is the main reason. |
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LS 
Self-Similarity
User ID: 437351
7/23/2008 8:21 PM
 | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
unfortunetly traffic here is still bad. we have public transportation and other forms of alternative transportations, but our population is only 600,000 and so mass transit is somewhat lacking.
If you are worthy of its affection, a cat will be your friend, but never your slave. 
[link to www.hsus.org]
[link to www.defenders.org]
The Strong do not Victimize the Helpless. |
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Omega
Total Unequivocal Bad Fuckin' News
User ID: 409194
7/23/2008 8:24 PM
 | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I have a 50 mile drive home from Austin to Lake Bastrop. Traffic down somewhat, people driving much slower, semi's driving 55-60pmh. They used to do 70+.
Yahoo IM omega375hh |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 162364
7/23/2008 8:30 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I can't wait until $10/gallon gas. Then I can enjoy motoring again. |
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Calibob
User ID: 318769
7/23/2008 8:34 PM
| | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I can't wait until $10/gallon gas. Then I can enjoy motoring again. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 162364
I'd say the day we get $10 gas it won't be too safe to be out motoring anyhow. Go figure. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 462511
7/23/2008 8:36 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
Hasn't changed that much where I live - lots of European tourists enjoying the dollar exchange :) |
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Sara-Ka-El
User ID: 326961
7/23/2008 8:37 PM
 | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
woo hoo
Truth is a Stranger to Fiction
Learn to Swim
In the Instancy of Atomic Love, the Footloose are Dead |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 262375
7/23/2008 8:40 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I live in Los Angeles, and it has definitely gotten better here. Better in that driving on the freeway only takes a year off your life every time you get in the car now, instead of five. |
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Rota
User ID: 472001
7/23/2008 8:44 PM
 | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
Do people think these changes have to do with --
1) People using more public transportation
2) Carpooling
3) Only driving when absolutely necessary
4) Real Unemployment numbers are much much higher than reported Quoting: Calibob
All the above.
Plus, Direct Deposit of Welfare, unemplyment and disability checks helps to save gas. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 472022
7/23/2008 8:47 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
We traveled from Southeastern Kentucky to Memphis, TN, mainly via I-40. I was surprised at how empty certain stretches were and that we were able to zip through Nashville (usually get into major congestion there. In my small hometown, I've noticed people driving slower or not passing other vehicles so much. There's still plenty of traffic (rural areas don't have access to public transportation and most have to drive to get to a job). |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 472365
7/23/2008 8:56 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
Calibob, lots of folks used to drive down to San Diego and Mexico from L.A. just for fun......too far now becuse gas is too high. Real unemployment is higher and uncalcuable, since many folks not working were "self-employed" or "private contractors" and can't be figured into the 6.9% receiving unemployment in Cali. A lot of the usual border traffic is down, as construction and flipping has dropped off. No more need for cheap construction labor.
I would expect that San Diego tourism from outside the state is down as well. |
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Wasayo nli
User ID: 4599
7/23/2008 9:10 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I'd like to get the truth from people in different areas about how the traffic conditions have changed lately.
I live in San Diego, and things have changed drastically.
I've lived here and driven on the major freeways I-5 & I-805 during "peak" hours for the last ten years. In the past for example, driving from North County SD South on the I-5 anytime between 8 AM-11AM meant serious gridlock. It would be stop and go.. averaging about 10 mph.
For the last month everything has changed. I drive the same freeways I always have, and it is almost empty much of the time. On my southbound drive, which I used to dread, I am going on four straight work weeks without having to slow down below 55.
Very strange.
Do people think these changes have to do with --
1) People using more public transportation
2) Carpooling
3) Only driving when absolutely necessary
4) Real Unemployment numbers are much much higher than reported
I see it as a combination of all... but I seriously suspect and worry that #4 is the main reason. Quoting: Calibob
Dear Calibob,
I was just visiting my daughter in North County San Diego. I hadn't been there in 2 years ~ and I was shocked to see the empty-looking freeways.
She said the same thing you are reporting here ~ and I saw it happening. Wasayo |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 472365
7/23/2008 9:34 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
S.D. is going to be a "foreclosure sanctuary". Expect traffic to come back soon:
SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre said on Wednesday he had filed a lawsuit against Bank of America Corp (BAC.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and its Countrywide unit to prevent the mortgage lenders from foreclosing on homes in his city, which he aims to make a "foreclosure sanctuary."
Aguirre said he plans to file similar lawsuits against Washington Mutual Inc (WM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Wachovia Corp (WB.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) in an effort to make the lenders negotiate with mortgage borrowers facing foreclosure.
"We would like to see San Diego become a foreclosure sanctuary," Aguirre said.
"We haven't seen the lawsuit and can't comment," said Bank of America spokeswoman Shirley Norton.
(Reporting by Marty Graham in San Diego; Writing by Jim Christie; editing by Mark Porter and Carol Bishopric)
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becky
User ID: 472538
7/23/2008 9:38 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
Indiana here. Trucks are driving much slower,staying in the right lane not passing up cars. Trucks passing me at 70+ mph may be in the past now. Highways do have less cars and slower driving. |
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Luke@MyNik
User ID: 472415
7/23/2008 9:39 PM
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I travel back and forth a couple times a month from charlotte nc to in between knoxville and nashville on
I-40and i have seen absolutly no let up at all in traffic, actually the past few months it most definatly has gotten worse as i drive a sports car and the traffic has gotten so bad that i can even weve in and out of traffic much at all as its to thick
BANNED |
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[ViSHUZ]
Ganja smoker :]
User ID: 432360
7/23/2008 9:42 PM
 | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
People are definitely using public transportation more often here in NYC, but the car traffic has been active as usual.
[link to myspace.com] |
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Enaid
User ID: 310721
7/23/2008 9:46 PM
 | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I live in Southern Hampton Roads, Va. Just the southern part is made up of at least 5 cities. Horrendous traffic - especially in the summer with all the tourist traffic.
Do they still drive 85 mph, bumper to bumper in SanDiego? Lived there for 6 years about 11 years ago. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 352939
7/23/2008 9:47 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I will be making a 1400 mile trip next week and will post my findings. |
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Beingsouthern
User ID: 113248
7/23/2008 9:49 PM
 | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
New Orleans
To and from work traffic about the same.
But, people are slowing down considerably and the regular all day traffic is much lighter. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 464462
7/23/2008 9:51 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I can't wait until $10/gallon gas. Then I can enjoy motoring again.
I'd say the day we get $10 gas it won't be too safe to be out motoring anyhow. Go figure. Quoting: Calibob
That's what they said would happen at $4 gas.
They raise the price to cause pain, slowly lower it down 50 cents per gallon...hold it at that price because people think it's a deal...then start inflating again. Price will be at $3 for the next election...then rockets to $5-7 next year. Mark my words. |
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mercury2
User ID: 338112
7/23/2008 9:53 PM
 | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I thought the traffic was a little quieter here, but honestly only in the last few days.
Really if people are driving less it hardly seems like a hardship to me. Obviously for some people it would be but a lot of people, most people, never gave it a second thought when they would get in their car and just drive anywhere, everywhere, for any reason or no reason at any time.
I mean really if they actually have to stop and think about it for a minute and like "combine trips" or "stay home" once in a while, instead of just randomly driving all over the place like I know people do, they'll probably live won't they?
Gas prices suck so don't get me wrong, I just think people have take a lot for granted for a long time.
I don't mean to get down on anyone, I just don't like cars much and I never learned how to drive and I do everything on foot with the occasional bus or train trip thrown in. I know most people aren't up for that and I respect them for it.
A couple of less cars on the road is what we've all been wanting all along?
Mainly I just don't get why people don't spend more time at home, one time recently we were out and the roads were full of cars and I was teasing and saying, you know these people all have nice houses that they pay a lot of money for, they have big screen TVs and a refrigerator full of food, hell their refrigerator probably makes ice cubes, why are they so anxious to get out of the house? You'd think they'd want to stay home and enjoy everything that they work so hard for, you know?
I could get cynical now so I'll stop. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 263324
7/23/2008 10:01 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I'd like to get the truth from people in different areas about how the traffic conditions have changed lately.
I live in San Diego, and things have changed drastically.
I've lived here and driven on the major freeways I-5 & I-805 during "peak" hours for the last ten years. In the past for example, driving from North County SD South on the I-5 anytime between 8 AM-11AM meant serious gridlock. It would be stop and go.. averaging about 10 mph.
For the last month everything has changed. I drive the same freeways I always have, and it is almost empty much of the time. On my southbound drive, which I used to dread, I am going on four straight work weeks without having to slow down below 55.
Very strange.
Do people think these changes have to do with --
1) People using more public transportation
2) Carpooling
3) Only driving when absolutely necessary
4) Real Unemployment numbers are much much higher than reported
I see it as a combination of all... but I seriously suspect and worry that #4 is the main reason. Quoting: Calibob
I drove to San Diego twice in the last month, from the central valley. The first time, I left around 2pm, which puts me in LA at gridlock time. I made it through Valencia, down the 210 to the 57 to Santa Ana, and only had to slow down a few times. I was shocked that the 210 to Pasadena was not plugged up at that time.
The central valley is still pretty plugged up, especially on the 99 corridor, which is due to so damn many trucks on the road. They are starting to outnumber cars up here. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 465019
7/23/2008 10:02 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
Great Thread, OP!
I went to get my haircut the other day and was just commenting to the guy that cuts my hair---just how amazing it was that there was NO TRAFFIC getting from Downtown L.A. into the San Gabriel Valley.
It was 5:00PM and I was just dreading the drive--I even called him and told him that I was going to be late....
Well guess what? NO TRAFFIC--made the trip in about 7 minutes flat! It would normally take about 30-45 min at that hour.
Yup, Ghost Town Freeways!!!  |
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gooderboy
User ID: 68508
7/23/2008 10:07 PM
 | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
... I'm a city mailman in a small town out here in the boonies of northwest Kansas... and I have for sure noticed a lot quieter streets out there. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 471957
7/23/2008 10:09 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
Surprisingly light on my reverse commute, but they are still parking for hours on the other side of the freeway. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 400833
7/23/2008 10:10 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE AZ:
TRAFFIC is still hellishly heavy here. People drive like idiots. The distances are vast and the freeways are packed most of the time. I live 20 minutes out in the desert and often have people passing me on a 2 lane road that leads into the city from our area and I'm cruising at 60 when the speed limit is 50. The guys passing me have to be doing 70 or better.
The aggressiveness with which many of the younger men drive is appalling. They seem to have no concept that the fuel in the tank is costing someone nearly 5/gallon and when you drive like a maniac you consume it at a rate 30% faster than you would at a more sedate pace. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 440278
7/23/2008 10:12 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
May I also remind everyone that it is the summer and in most places school is out...from Kinder through college...that takes a lot of people off the highways. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 441750
7/23/2008 10:13 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I have a 50 mile drive home from Austin to Lake Bastrop. Traffic down somewhat, people driving much slower, semi's driving 55-60pmh. They used to do 70+. Quoting: Omega
Yeah, I live in Austin too. I'm a musician, and I've really noticed that late night on 35 there's a lot less people out. And the toll roads seem to have tapered off as well. |
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Tmad1
User ID: 342643
7/23/2008 10:15 PM
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I live in Las Vegas and the public transportation here sucks. and the traffic doesnt seem to be slowing down to me at least.
Housing construction has almost dead here. There are a few big casinos projects being built. But in the last few weeks alot of big jobs that were suppose to start have been pushed back or shelved all together.
The Encore Steve Wynns new casino is getting ready to hire over 5500 workers. They say they expect to have over 16k aps. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 472553
7/23/2008 10:27 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
Houston ALWAYS has traffic. |
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Black Diamond
User ID: 472559
7/23/2008 10:41 PM | | Re: What is the TRAFFIC like in your area? Ghost Town Freeways? | Quote |
I noticed it today...It's a ghost town up here. Central foothills Cali. Absolute drop off of traffic and most stores seem empty. It will pick up on the weekends but it is very apparent that we have a drop off in all areas of our local tourist based economy. *
* (side note) : 1 in 25 homes were in forclosure in a neighboring county. |
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