Driving has never been my best skill. Living in Philadelphia for so long and then being required to drive has really reinforced that. I find driving in Philadelphia to be a nightmare and there’s an endless amount of reasons why. Here are nine common experiences every Philadelphia driver has to deal with when they muster up the courage to get their vehicle on the road.
1. Traffic on 76 and 95
Bumper-to-bumper traffic during rush hour is the worst or if there’s an accident even when it’s not rush hour. The frustration of sitting there for an hour when you’re creeping at an unbearably slow pace is real.
2. Merging onto the interstate (and not getting rear-ended)
When merging onto 95, 76 and even route 1 at select entrances when traffic is moving fast, you get one second to check over your shoulder, and the next second you’re flooring it so that you can merge without getting hit by someone.
3. The car stopped in the middle of the lane with hazard lights on
This is the real reason you’re supposed to constantly check your side view mirrors: to check if there’s a car next to you when you have to swerve into the next lane in order to avoid the a**hole with his hazards on in the middle of the road.
4. Patiently (sort of) waiting for pedestrians to cross the street
WHY DO PEOPLE WALK SO SLOW? People saunter across the road excruciatingly slow even when jaywalking! Do they want to be hit?
5. Accidentally going over the Ben Franklin Bridge
One accidental wrong turn, one wrong move and you’re on a bridge out of the city, and you better hope you have five bucks or an EZ Pass to get back in.
6. Attempting to parallel park
I haven’t attempted to parallel park since I (miraculously) passed my driver’s test. If the only available option for parking requires me to parallel park, I’ll just go home.
7. Nobody uses turn signals
I know you’re in the turning lane, but are you ACTUALLY turning right or are you going to veer left and side swipe me instead? The stereotype is true: people in Philadelphia don’t use turn signals.
8. All those potholes
Pennsylvania is notorious for its TERRIBLE roads! Nothing wakes you up more on your morning commute to work than suddenly flying into the air after driving over a huge pothole!
9. Getting into an accident
Time to call Mom and the insurance people. And obviously the police.
Sometimes driving has to be done and unfortunately, us Philadelphians have some of the worst driving experiences. I’m happy to say that the more you do it, the easier it gets, but there’s never a time on the road when you won’t be clenching your fists and screaming in rage. Let us know about your experiences driving in Philly in the comments section below!