Why Driving in Tyler Feels More Dangerous Than Ever

(Tyler, Texas) Tyler drivers - and East Texas drivers for that matter - have a 'me mentality' when it comes to driving. The only important person on the road is them, and no one else matters.

A Look at Driving Outside the U.S.

While vacationing in another country last week, I noticed that drivers there are much more courteous and friendly. Drivers in the country I was in actually monitored and obeyed the traffic signals. I was warned, though, by the rental car agent that in their country, there are no right turns on red, unlike in the States. It is against the law to turn right on red, which I think should also be the case here.

When Tyler drivers blatantly roll through a red light or turn right without coming to a complete stop, they could be putting a pedestrian's or a biker's life in jeopardy. That walker or biker could be seriously injured.

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How Construction Makes It Worse

I wrote something similar to this nearly four years ago. The issue of self-centered driving has not changed; in fact, it seems to be worsening and will likely remain a problem, especially in areas with ongoing construction and during the initial stages of new road construction.

We know that traffic is getting worse because there are just more of us on the road. In addition, traffic lights seem to be poorly timed in areas of the city. There are no bridges on the major arteries within the city, and with complaints about the medians, it's all led to a 'me mentality' when it comes to being behind the wheel.

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Other drivers have noticed it as well, and some have left comments about the way we drive on social media forums. When it comes to traffic within the city of Tyler, Tyler drivers are not afraid to let you know how they feel, especially in these social media forums.

Common Reported Dangerous Habits on Tyler Roads

Among some of the 'Me' mentality characteristics that Tyler drivers are showing are:

• running red lights
• not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign
• cutting people off in traffic
• not using turn signals
• not coming to a complete stop for a right turn, especially at stop signs or red lights
• pulling out in front of another car from a parking lot when there are no other cars behind the one you pulled out in front of
• parking over the line in a parking lot
• using hazards to park at the front door of a store or restaurant
• misusing merge lanes - stopping to wait until it's clear to shoot across to get to the left lane

All of these issues are extremely frustrating, and some are quite dangerous, as many have come to think that 'It's their world and we're all just pawns in it traveling around them'. Case in point about the red-light runners, we recently posted an article about someone challenging others while running a red light at one of the busiest intersections in the city. Some Tyler drivers are tired of seeing blatant disregard for traffic signals and basic traffic laws.

Is There a Fix for Tyler’s Traffic Issues?

There is no easy fix to Tyler's traffic issues. The only thing we can do is return to basic driver's education. Stop when the light is red, use turn signals when you want to change lanes, and park within the lines in a parking lot. Above all, just be courteous.