How long was your commute today?

My wife left at 7:30 got to the Ashurn exit on the Greenway and just began to inch along. It is now 9:25 and she is sitting at the Herdon exit on the Toll Road. A typical 15min commute to Reston is going to set a new record today.

Heaven forbid there is some sort of emergency/event that causes panic around this area - we might as well get out and walk.

It is days like today that underscore how road systems can not handle the current and unfortunately, growing traffic. Damp roadways are bad but a dusting of snow is catastrophic.

A metro train to Leesburg would have been pretty full today.

 

People around here can't drive, plain and simple. People freeze up with fear at the slightest precipitation.

However, it's better than Knoxville. Back home an inch of snow cripples the entire city for two weeks. At least VDOT is equipped to handle the snow here...I think we had one plow for the entire city.

 

I agree. I left my house for D.C. at 5:45 AM. A normal 40 minute commute took over 2 hours. I saw AT LEAST 20-25 accidents along the way. On top of that, GW Parkway was closed when I got to it. At least I found a new route into the city!

You would think that after the first 5 or 6 accidents on 267, people would get the hint that...perhaps...just maybe...THE ROADS ARE SLICK! I guess not...

 

3-1/2 hours from Broadlands to Bethesda left the house at 6:15. Normally 45-50 minutes. It wasn't so much people panicking in the snow. It was the fact that VDOT had not touched the toll road and it became a sheet of ice. Just before route 7 everyone had to squeeze onto the snow covered shoulder for traction because no cars could navigate the icy hill on the main lanes. Once we hit the Beltway all was well.
I understand 66 was just as bad.
I also note that when roads are icy, most of the vehicles in the ditch are suv's. People think suv's are impervious to all road conditions and can drive 55 mph in the conditions we saw today. 4WD may help avoid getting stuck but it won't stop a vehicle from sliding.

 

I hit the Greenway around 7:15am and turned around on the toll road (not literally) to come back home at 8:30am - I was trying to go into to Crystal City. I noted on the way back home (westbound) the toll road was horrible. 4 cars I saw drove off the road, including a giant SUV right in front of me (I was in my little VW). I worked from home and save the extra 2-3 hours it would have maybe taken to get in to work.

 

My commute this morning was about 1 minute. I walked downstairs, got my laptop, and sat my butt down on the couch. However, there was nearly one accident when the cat cut my off (without signaling even!) when we merging onto the stairs.

 

Left the house at 6:45, arrived in office (near the Metro Center) at 10:30. I have never seen so much confusion over one inch of snow. What an archaic infrastructure!

 

Left a little after 7, I hit the toll plaza about an hour and a half later. Turned around when I saw the toll road was gridlock and WTOP saying it was like that all the way to Tysons (where I work). Came home and worked from here.

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Got Broadband?

 

It warms my heart to see that.

 

Left the house at 6:45 am and by 8:00 am I was only as far as Reston. Mind you I took rt 28 north to Frying Pan and cut over to Sunrise Valley. Once on Sunrise Valley you can get back on the Toll Road at Wheile or Hunter Mill Road. Unfortunetly, Sunrise Valley was back up a mile or two before Hunter Mill. I decided that this was crazy, so I turned around to drive back home. To my shock and dismay the Toll Road west bound had not been treated and was a sheet of ice. I got off at Fairfax County Pkwy drove back roads to the Greenway. I was amazed that roads like Sunrise valley, Frying Pan, and rt 28 were treated and perfectly fine to drive on. Makes me wonder what my toll money goes towards.

 

I left Ashburn at 7:30. Luckily, my wife told me Greenway was bumper to bumper. We cheated and took the airport road. Got to Washington D.C. 10:15. My wife left at 6:30. She took the Greenway and arrived in Tysons at 10:00. 1" of snow and everything stops. Unbelievable.

 

Tsk Tsk.....I agree...people in this area need to learn how to drive with regard to the road conditions....and also slow down. I'm originally from the Buffalo area...was just up there for the holidays and as usual - one of those famous lake effect snowstorms hit. I made sure my son took notice of the drivers up there who usually drive slowly and also don't over-brake!!!!! Of course I realize that there are too many transient people from different parts of the country living here, but please use your heads!!! I'm so glad I learned how to drive up north! And yes, I am also sick of these SUV drivers who think they can drive in anything....they're the ones who usually cause the accidents![V]

 

I agree -- learned how to drive in Northern Maine. Left the house about 6:00, took the Greenway, got off the Dulles Toll Rd at Reston Pkwy, and was at work on Sunrise within 15-20 minutes of leaving home. Noticed the roads were icy, moved to the right (away from the idiots how didn't realize the roads were icy!), kept my distance, and had no problems getting to work.

 

Hopefully tomorrow won't be a repeat of last Friday! I certainly hope they get their acts together and treat the roads in time.

 

The problem is with the mentality of the people in the DC area.

Most people are transient. There are here only as a stepping stone to something greater. They are driven (no pun intended) in their lives. The majority seem to have a me-first attitude. That attitude is what causes and promotes road-rage. It is also the attitude that causes people to ignore the actual road conditions. They seem to think that either the conditions don't apply to them, or that they are sooo good (or their vehicle) that they can ignore the conditions.

I have lived in the DC area all my life (over 40 years). I drove a Camaro for years, during ice and snow storms, and never had a problem. Simply because I knew the limits of my vehicle and myself. And was honest with myself about those limits.

Then again, I was also a zamboni driver for a few years, and have a true respect for driving on ice.

(edited for spelling)

 

Hey Bike4fun - you hit the nail on the head! I agree totally with you. It's definitely the me generation. These same drives park in handicapped spots or in front of a store, and pay no attention to the signs. They go thru red lights and stop signs as well. I too, drove a camero (actually I had two) in Buffalo thru storms, ice, blizzards that would turn your hair white, never had a problem, just adjusted my driving for the conditions. People are in too much of a hurry to go nowhere!!!!! It's a shame really.