Washington D.C. -- A Motorist's Abyss

[38P]

(Censors, this is NOT a political thread . . . everyone affiliated with the "District of Checkpoints" is at fault. It ain't partisan)

Just got back from a 3,000+ mile road trip to Washington D.C. in the often-hated "store bought" Hot Rod Drag Week (TM) "field filler" Coyote Mustang.

And other than for allegorical/symbolic reasons, I can't understand why they wanted to race to it in "Two-Lane Blacktop" (Universal, 1971).

(fast forward to 36:42 for the "D.C." scene http://youtu.be/CmUlR3HAL7M?t=36m26s ) Washington D.C. is literally perdition-on-earth for a motorist.

For example, the "District of Cameras" is awash in revenue-generating video enforcement . . . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...67c_story.html

The license plates for the "District of Crybabies" contain the charming phrase "Taxation without Representation"

(Notwithstanding that it most certainly takes in billions more in tax subsidies than it pays out, and is a money magnet from across the USA for a huge industry of lobbyists made apparently necessary over the past four decades by an ever-expanding regulatory bureaucracy).

Automated stop light systems sometimes change for no reason and without any cross traffic (apparently for "traffic calming").

The District's prohibition on radar detectors is enough to make even the most confirmed traffic law-abider want to "keep and bear" a counter-surveillance radio receiver in protest.

The interstate leaving . . . and believe me, any serious motorists will WANT TO LEAVE ASAP . . . heading west . . . I-66 . . . if truth-in-branding be told, probably ought to be renamed "Interstate 666" to warn drivers of its diabolical "SoCal-at-rush hour traffic jams and general inadequacy.

Other than perhaps the largest collection of Easter-egg painted "Panther" Fords/Mercurys/Lincolns pressed into service as ubiquitous taxi cabs, there's almost never anything of even slight interest creeping along the District's glacially-moving streets.

(Except for one stock 5.0 Coyote Mustang parked in a Senate staff lot, and a beat-to-death, primered '90s Camaro, I never saw any "muscle" or sports cars on the D.C. streets in nearly a week)

What's more, the "District of Construction's" chief "urban planner" wants Congress to remove the abysmally-limited parking now required for new buildings in order to make D.C. even more inhospitable to motoring and force more involuntary pedestrianism.http://wamu.org/news/13/07/31/propos...erns_in_future

(The suggestion that there's an excessive number of parking spaces in D.C. is ridiculous when it costs in excess of $200/week to park there, and nearly everywhere "flyover country" citizens might want to want to go (Smithsonian, Capitol, Monuments, etc.) has no public parking whatsoever)

I could go on, but I've made the point . . . the "District of Car-H8" is a wretched infernal region for Bangshifting Motorists.

Now, I-40 into NC and Wilkes County, NC . . . that's some "Mmmmm, Mmmmm GOOD" motoring . . . .

[NewEnglandRaceFan]

it's a power mans town, not a hot rodders,, you don't see much muscle as they get lifted and last stop the chop shop..

[38P]

Interesting law enforcement priorities.

Hmmm. A sea of cameras to punish "crimes" like a bumper intruding six inches into a crosswalk ("Don't block the box") or crowding out of necessity into a huge, empty bicycle lane, but GTA apparently allowed to run rampant.

But then busting real actual criminals wouldn't generate as much ca$h for the "District of Confiscation," I suppose.

The District of Car-H8's crooks must be selling the chopped parts somewhere else, though, because the local market appears nonexistent.

On the other hand, forcing everyone but the power brokers in murdered-out Federal SUVs to "beat feet" certainly helps support the panhandlers, street musicians**, and "knockout game" thugs.

-----------
**Who knew someone could go all Phil Collins with a homemade "drum kit" of plastic barrels and a stolen shopping cart?

[98ciHemi]

Having driven in DC, yes it's a nightmare. However, cities designed by the artist/engineers of the the 1800s are rarely going to handle traffic well. That means that there are going to be limitations to what modern civil engineers can do with the road system. Even if it's an annoyance to the driver at the time, things like traffic light timing and parking restrictions are methods of controlling and alleviating such issues. Does it mean that it's fun? Of course not. But do you knew better before you got there than to think "I'm gonna go drive my fast car in a big city, it's gonna be awesome!"

Also, it's pretty lame to p and m about it being illegal to use your radar detector. You know the only reason you have that is so you can get away with breaking other laws. It's pretty common sense for them to prohibit their usage so that you are encouraged to you know, follow those laws? Same for bike lanes and crosswalks. If you wanna call yourself a good driver, that shouldn't just mean that you can drive at wide open throttle. That should also mean that when the situation arises, you can keep your car in it's lane, not tailgate, use signals, and stop before a big white line painted on the road. If you can't doing those things and you're out in your hot rod- you are perpetuating the stereotype of hot rodders being inconsiderate assholes.

On a final note: DC metro is the way to get around that city. Lame? Maybe. Effective? Yes.

[JOES66FURY]

I drove thru DC as I was being eclipsed by a winter storm. It took me all day to get thru that hell hole. this was in 1992 mind you, I can only imagine how it is today...you can have it.

[PatricksDad]

While your comments on the area's traffic and DC's incompetent and draconian local government are on point, don't shit on what you couldn't be bothered to look for. I travel a good chunk of the world, and major urban areas are pretty much the same, just on different scales. If you've got something worth protecting in the city, you don't advertise it. Big chunks of the inner city are crappy places to live, and I'll be happy to rant on about why I left 20 years ago and moved to the exurbs.

The gearhead mojo in the District region is alive and well, however, just not where you looked. There are probably a half dozen active strips within 90 minutes or so of the Capitol. Any other major urban areas support that many tracks? That doesn't count circle tracks or roadracing either.

If you're interested in a race or something other than a diatribe about someplace you spent a few days in, PM me next time before you come.


ETA: Didn't mean to come off sounding like such a homer. Honestly, you could substitute any ten cities in this whole thread. There's just not a White House in any of them.

[Deaf Bob]

I drove thru DC as I was being eclipsed by a winter storm. It took me all day to get thru that hell hole. this was in 1992 mind you, I can only imagine how it is today...you can have it.

Lived in DC in 1973.. Was awful then..

There was advice on driving and seeing stuff in DC a few months ago.. Everybody who has been there in modern times (recently) agreed that driving in DC is not reccomended..

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Seems to be an error in the buffer. A town in that much control could do something even crazier for an automobile enthusiast of they wanted. I am thinking of one of those ghost rider clips on you tube.

[greenXpress]

good going Speedy, now DF will make a loop through DC mandatory for DW2014. See ya then.

[Oldlar]

When driving from NY to Florida in 1996 was my first experience trying to get through the DC area. I tried this route a couple of times and learned my lesson. This was before GPS and I'd get lost between I-270, I-495, I-66 to I-95. Too many cars with many unskilled drivers. Now I take Rt17 around Fredericksburg, VA and some back roads to I-81. A slower pace, but I have my sanity.

[NewEnglandRaceFan]

Also, it's pretty lame to p and m about it being illegal to use your radar detector. You know the only reason you have that is so you can get away with breaking other laws. It's pretty common sense for them to prohibit their usage so that you are encouraged to you know, follow those laws? Same for bike lanes and crosswalks. If you wanna call yourself a good driver, that shouldn't just mean that you can drive at wide open throttle. That should also mean that when the situation arises, you can keep your car in it's lane, not tailgate, use signals, and stop before a big white line painted on the road. If you can't doing those things and you're out in your hot rod- you are perpetuating the stereotype of hot rodders being inconsiderate assholes.

On a final note: DC metro is the way to get around that city. Lame? Maybe. Effective? Yes.

I'll cut you some slack, as you are still young, but you are off, way off, radars are and have never been all about BREAKING THE LAW.. many states that have pass through traffic (out of state drivers) will ticket you for 1-2mph over the limit.. YES THEY DO THIS.. why, because they know 95% of those ticketed will not comeback to fight the ticket... so it's not common sense to BAN/ outlaw them, it goes against freedom of choice.. but they don't teach that in schools anymore..
bike lanes and crosswalks, REALLY, well can we drive over those that don't use them, and or cross without hitting and waiting for the crosswalk light/signal to light up.?? the white stop line, well. many times they are placed so far back you can't see around the corner, cause no one ever runs red lights, it's nice to "gauge" if someone's going to stop, or run it.. can't do that if you can't see around the building, and starting and then stopping is a good way to get rear ended..
but you're young and haven't been driving all that long.. you'll learn

[Deaf Bob]

2 schools of thought..
One is you use the radar DETECTOR to break the law by speeding, or know where a trooper is to sneak an illegal load by..
The other is you have the right to have such device.. But if you have such device and the officer sees it, 9 times out f 10, you WILL get a ticket for speeding..

I haven't heard of 1-3 mph over tickets since the 80's.. But then... I stay away from cities as much as possible..
Alot of us around here commonly go 5 mph over and never get a look from the LEO's

If you swivel head, look guilty.. You WILL get a look and may get a ticket..
Act like you are not breaking the law and you will be fine..

[NewEnglandRaceFan]

2 schools of thought..
One is you use the radar DETECTOR to break the law by speeding, or know where a trooper is to sneak an illegal load by..
The other is you have the right to have such device.. But if you have such device and the officer sees it, 9 times out f 10, you WILL get a ticket for speeding..

I haven't heard of 1-3 mph over tickets since the 80's.. But then... I stay away from cities as much as possible..
Alot of us around here commonly go 5 mph over and never get a look from the LEO's

If you swivel head, look guilty.. You WILL get a look and may get a ticket..
Act like you are not breaking the law and you will be fine..

1-2mph are the norm for rt95 maine to fla.. for out of state plate vehicles, Georgia being the worst

[Deaf Bob]

1-2mph are the norm for rt95 maine to fla.. for out of state plate vehicles, Georgia being the worst

Yeow! Really! Hot damn!
We often travel I-5 which goes from Canada to So. Cal at 5-10 over very often..
Many times at 80-85 with truck and trailer..
Speed limits are 65 in OR.. some parts it is 55 (near towns it bypasses)

[38P]

. But do you knew better before you got there than to think "I'm gonna go drive my fast car in a big city, it's gonna be awesome!"

Actually, I knew beforehand it wasn't going to be any fun and average speed in the city would be in the single digits. I've been to the "District of Control" several times (but always via air and with cheap auto trans rental cars . . . never with my own high-performance, "man pedal" PV)

This trip however was especially irritating due to the excessive "police state" culture that has infected the place . . . and not just all the revenue-generating traffic cameras.

For example, in the old days, a citizen could walk through the Capitol building on his own at a leisurely pace. Now, it's illegal for an ordinary taxpayer to be anywhere in the FREAKIN' building without being part of an organized tour or an escort/permission from a Representative or Senator!

The tours, of course, are designed so that you'll never even come close to any elected official, or visit any of the actual "working" parts of the building. They rush you through like cattle on the way to auction. And they make you watch an ironic propaganda film about how it's "the people's house." Whatever.

While I certainly understand they've got to protect the place from terrorist attacks and criminality, they've plainly gone way, way overboard.

Another thing I reacted to was the absolutely insane idea that they need fewer parking spaces in the City while allowing development for a lot higher population density. That's just anti-motoring, plain and simple.

.Also, it's pretty lame to p and m about it being illegal to use your radar detector. You know the only reason you have that is so you can get away with breaking other laws. It's pretty common sense for them to prohibit their usage so that you are encouraged to you know, follow those laws?

I've never owned a radar detector. But should I be able to purchase and use a product to determine via receipt of radio waves or laser light whether or not I'm under surveillance if I so chose? Does owning a police scanner also automatically make someone a criminal?

Or how about stumbling further down the anti-liberty "common sense" path and just require GPS controlled automatic speed limiters and position transponders on all vehicles? And limit horsepower while you're at it so that the vehicle cannot possibly exceed a "safe" National Speed Limit. After all, it's "common sense" that if you don't want the government to know exactly where you are at all times . . . or if your driving a vehicle that's theoretically capable of going faster than some bureaucrat decides is appropriate, you know you're intending to break the law . . . .

HORSEHOCKEY! I believe in the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. Our natural-born liberty should not be infringed upon merely because we want to express it automotively. We shouldn't be forced to check our inalienable First, Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights at the garage door!

There's also the concept of proportionality. Enforcement actions can become so draconian and intrusive that it actually inhibits drivers from lawful actions. For example, the fear of "bike lanes and crosswalks" cameras seem to cause some drivers to stop well before the "big white line painted on the road" and to even avoid lawful "right on red after stop" turns. This further increases the gridlock. One is hardly "perpetuating the stereotype of hot rodders" by recognizing this.

. DC metro is the way to get around that city. Lame? Maybe. Effective? Yes.

I first rode the Metro in 1977, when the system was only about a year or so old. It wasn't too bad.

Fast forward thirty-six years and now it's an often nasty, overcrowded, expensive mess. It is certainly faster than trying to drive and then park anywhere, though. I can't think that a bona fide motorist, much less a true Bangshifter would relish riding a decaying electric train in a pitch black underground tube, though.