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Driving in Phoenix
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Jan 19, 2019 14:28:35   #
AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio
 
Years ago when I was driving 18 wheelers coast to coast I was headed east on the interstate and just could not hold it any longer, so I pulled over on the shoulder to take a leak real quick in the weeds. I just got started and looked at the road just ahead of the truck in the headlights and saw a sidewinder headed my way. Decided real quick I did not have to go that bad after all. I waited until I made it to the rest area in New Mexico.

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Jan 19, 2019 16:57:37   #
anderzander
 
I visited Phoenix in the late sixties, no freeway no crowds, still a small town then, I was there early in the 2005 when the freeway was finally or so I thought finished. Had actually been there in the late 90's, Scottsdale to Carefree was a joke. However, We drove down over thanksgiving this year to visit our grand daughter in Gilbert, drove straight through from Flagstaff with some heavy traffice, you know, big trucks, but because we were in north Scottsdale on the freeway traffic thinned out and all the way to Chandler and back up to the 101 just to get to Gilbert (thanks to my wife's stupid GPS) even though I know Phoenix quite well, the traffice at 8:00 PM was a brease, wednesday evening the night before Thanksgiving, I could not believe how peacefull and easy it was to get around, everyone was to busy getting drunk and preping a turkey to be out on the road that night, go figure, but that was the first time in recent history I really liked driving the freeway in Phoenix. It is very efficient compared to other big cities.

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Jan 19, 2019 17:01:46   #
anderzander
 
Northern Arizona is colder in the winter and I have been in Flagstaff when there was a foot of snow on the ground in the city, that is why, but Flagstaff is now crowded compared to the sleepy little rairoad town I remember in the 60's.

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Jan 19, 2019 17:25:17   #
hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico
 
jerryc41 wrote:
Only someone from the Phoenix area would understand this, and the really funny thing is that this is all so true!

1. 'Phoenix' actually consists of Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa,Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Tolleson, Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Buckeye, Sun City, Sun City West, Sun City Grand, Sun Lakes, Surprise, Laveen, Youngtown, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, and half of the Mexican border.

2. The morning rush hour is from 4:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 9:00 PM. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On Loop 101, your speed is expected to match the highway number. Anything less is considered 'wussy'.

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. For example: cars/trucks with the loudest mufflers go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, in the East Valley, SUV-driving cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's an offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent in Phoenix. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment during the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, dogs, barrels,cones, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, rabbits, vultures, javelinas,roadrunners, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.

9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway and the 'I-10' are the same road.
SR202 is the same road as The Red Mountain Freeway.
Dunlap and Olive are the same street too.
Northern and Shea are the same street.
Also Glendale Avenue becomes Lincoln Drive.
Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street.
I-17 is also called The Black Canyon Freeway as well as The Veterans Memorial Highway.
The Superstition Freeway is also known as US 60.
The 101, 202 and 303 remain a large mystery to most of us.
It is not yet determined if there is a Red Mountain and a San Tan orjust a Red/Tan Mountain.
The SR51 has recently been renamed to Piestewa Freeway because Squaw Peak Parkway was too easy to pronounce.
SR101 is also the Pima Freeway except west of I-17, where it is known as the Agua Fria Freeway. The I-17 is the Black Canyon Freeway and The Veteran’s Memorial Highway.
Lastly, Thunderbird Road becomes Cactus Road but, Cactus Road doesn't become Thunderbird Road because it dead ends at a mountain.


10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, it has been 'accidentally activated.'

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55 mph zone,you are considered a road hazard and will be 'flipped off' accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands.

13. Please note that there are many, many more issues to the phenomenon of driving in Phoenix -- like the 4-cars-through-a-red-light rule -- but these will at least get you acquainted with our unique life on the road.
Only someone from the Phoenix area would understan... (show quote)


Drove for a Phoenix-based trucking company for several years..... My most precious moments of Phoenix was watching the city skyline in my rear view mirrors, as I headed north.

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Jan 19, 2019 20:15:50   #
hannaco Loc: People's Republic of California
 
To change lanes use the turn signal for the opposite direction. Drivers will close up on that side, but leave space in the desired direction.

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Jan 19, 2019 22:43:49   #
fantom Loc: Colorado
 
DAN Phillips wrote:
I spent my honeymoon there in '74, people running air conditioner in cars. Loved it, spent 6 weeks there, two backpacking in desert by myself. Loved the landscape. I remember there was a bright blue building lit up at night. I asked my brother-in-law what it was and he said "Church of Satan", is it still there? He worked for the 7th days Adventist furniture plant, is it still there? I haven't talked with him since '78, he flew a plane, is he (Bob Smith) still there?



Backpacked alone for two weeks on your honeymoon. Hmmm!!! Verrrry interesting. Food for thought

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Jan 19, 2019 23:41:05   #
billbarcus Loc: IPNW
 
Everything jerryc41 said is true! I was a Arizona Highway Patrol motorcycle officer on the Phoenix freeways. Lived in that sweltering hellhole for 10 years. I don't know how I managed to do it, but I miraculously escaped with my life!

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Jan 20, 2019 00:05:10   #
anotherview Loc: California
 
Yeah, I landed there one afternoon when the air temperature had reached 125 degrees. Very uncomfortable.
billbarcus wrote:
Everything jerryc41 said is true! I was a Arizona Highway Patrol motorcycle officer on the Phoenix freeways. Lived in that sweltering hellhole for 10 years. I don't know how I managed to do it, but I miraculously escaped with my life!

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Jan 20, 2019 00:18:15   #
Bananapuppy Loc: Sunny Tucson, AZ
 
As a Tucson resident for the past 20 years I can say my occasional trips to Phoenix were quite bewildering. I could never figure out the street plans and the traffic was always a killer. But I want to say that Jerry's post is the most amusing post I've ever seen on this forum. The unfortunate part is it's almost all true, especially the comments about Phoenix rush hours! The best part of my trips to Phoenix was always the drive home to Tucson! Thx to Jerry for a good laugh! Bp

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Jan 20, 2019 01:07:08   #
Spectre Loc: Bothell, Washington
 
Nailed it!đź‘Ť We usually walk around there when we go. Get the strangest looks by everyone in their cars. They waisted a lot of road lanes by putting in all those sidewalks.

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Jan 20, 2019 05:35:42   #
DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA
 
Yes, two weeks in the desert by myself on my honeymoon. She didn't want to go. Her brother had a plane and would fly over every few day just to check on me. It was a glorious time!

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Jan 20, 2019 10:00:29   #
sgt hop Loc: baltimore md,now in salisbury md
 
jerryc41 wrote:
Only someone from the Phoenix area would understand this, and the really funny thing is that this is all so true!

1. 'Phoenix' actually consists of Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa,Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Tolleson, Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Buckeye, Sun City, Sun City West, Sun City Grand, Sun Lakes, Surprise, Laveen, Youngtown, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, and half of the Mexican border.

2. The morning rush hour is from 4:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 9:00 PM. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On Loop 101, your speed is expected to match the highway number. Anything less is considered 'wussy'.

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. For example: cars/trucks with the loudest mufflers go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, in the East Valley, SUV-driving cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's an offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent in Phoenix. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment during the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, dogs, barrels,cones, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, rabbits, vultures, javelinas,roadrunners, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.

9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway and the 'I-10' are the same road.
SR202 is the same road as The Red Mountain Freeway.
Dunlap and Olive are the same street too.
Northern and Shea are the same street.
Also Glendale Avenue becomes Lincoln Drive.
Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street.
I-17 is also called The Black Canyon Freeway as well as The Veterans Memorial Highway.
The Superstition Freeway is also known as US 60.
The 101, 202 and 303 remain a large mystery to most of us.
It is not yet determined if there is a Red Mountain and a San Tan orjust a Red/Tan Mountain.
The SR51 has recently been renamed to Piestewa Freeway because Squaw Peak Parkway was too easy to pronounce.
SR101 is also the Pima Freeway except west of I-17, where it is known as the Agua Fria Freeway. The I-17 is the Black Canyon Freeway and The Veteran’s Memorial Highway.
Lastly, Thunderbird Road becomes Cactus Road but, Cactus Road doesn't become Thunderbird Road because it dead ends at a mountain.


10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, it has been 'accidentally activated.'

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55 mph zone,you are considered a road hazard and will be 'flipped off' accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands.

13. Please note that there are many, many more issues to the phenomenon of driving in Phoenix -- like the 4-cars-through-a-red-light rule -- but these will at least get you acquainted with our unique life on the road.
Only someone from the Phoenix area would understan... (show quote)


i have daughter and son in law that live there...they keep wanting me to come out and visit.....after this, I don't think so....

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Jan 20, 2019 10:37:08   #
Tony R Loc: Westport, CT
 
And directions are given in compass coordinates, you don't turn right, you go east, left is west etc. Since its laid out like a grid giving and receiving directions are usually pretty cut & dry.

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Jan 21, 2019 14:06:32   #
raymondh Loc: Walker, MI
 

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Jan 21, 2019 14:55:03   #
azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.
 
Lived there for 25 years, and I can only add to what he said. For instance, prior to the 101, you had to use Hayden to go north or south for a commute from Scottsdale to Tempe. The road was built for something like 10,000 cars a day, but had to handle 40,000. So cops never gave out tickets during rush hour, no matter how fast you drove! Also, one time trying to go home, a rainstorm flooded Hayden by Indian School road. All traffic had to go 15-20 miles out of their way or stop for a couple of hours. I pulled into a hotel, called my wife, and that was it for about six hours!

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