Everyone hates New York drivers, especially New Yorkers themselves. In no other state in the country does chronic road rage run deeper than behind the wheel of a New York license plate-issued vehicle. Here are some of the ways that you know that you're a driver from the Empire State.
1. Nothing raises your blood pressure more than bumper-to-bumper traffic.
It's the f**king worst. The moments when you're stuck on the Hutchinson River Parkway past exit 25 when the goddamn lanes merge into two and for some reason everyone just stops driving are the moments when fender benders seem like a good idea.
2. Blind spots don't exist.
You switch lanes because you want to switch lanes. Why should anyone other than you have any reason not to let you switch lanes? When you see a turn signal, just move out of the way. One way or another, whether there's a tractor trailer in your blind spot or not, if you're from New York that left lane is yours.
3. Blind spots really don't exist.
If you're in someone's blind spot, who cares. If the other driver wants to switch lanes, that's up to them to speed up or slow down. You're perfectly happy in your lane. You love your lane. You shouldn't have to trouble yourself with making way for another driver because they don't feel the same about their lane.
4. Yellow lights are green lights.
Nothing gets your blood pumping more than trying to beat out that yellow light. Whereas the universal understanding of the yellow light is "prepare to stop," New Yorkers translate this into "drive faster." Nothing kills your vibe more than having a New Jersey-plated car slowing down ahead of you at an enticing yellow light.
5. You turn right on red everywhere.
Except for New York City, which New Yorkers everywhere understand as being the one exception, you turn right on red everywhere in the country. In Pennsylvania, in Ohio, in Alaska, if you've got your right blinker on as you head up on a 4-way intersection, you're going for it.
6. You add 15 mph to every speed limit.
A 30 mph zone is a 45 mph zone. A 65 mph zone is an 80 mph zone. You're from New York, you invented the Reuben, you've been to Broadway, and you act like Times Square is just another ratty tourist attraction, so, of course you're going to tack on an extra 15 onto that speed limit sign.
7. You've memorized the sound of your horn.
You use that guy so liberally that you're practically producing new songs in your head every time you angrily smack your fist into the center of your steering wheel. It has become beautiful and almost like you've gotten to the point where you're looking for a reason to honk.
