MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Washington is one of the friendliest places to drive?

Jun 29, 2017, 11:34 AM

This morning, an email notified me that I’m living in one of the top 10 most kind states to drive in.

Though there are times when driving in Washington can be pleasant and even relaxing, anyone who drives I-5 on a regular basis or through one of our congested cities would think it laughable that our drivers are respectful to one another.

Anyone who disagrees obviously hasn’t see this photo:

road rage

That is a photo taken by a Washington State Trooper who responded to an incident of road rage along Highway 516 in Kent. As The Tacoma News Tribune reports, the driver of the Subaru became irritated after vehicles began passing her on the shoulder of the road that she hit the Jeep three times.

OK, OK. That’s only one instance.

Well, what about the other reported incident of road rage — also in Kent — that was widely reported on? The near-death experience of a man who got out of his vehicle to confront an aggressive driver and was nearly run over.

Those are extreme examples, but anyone who drives on a regular basis knows the unkindness on the road can range from being honked at for taking even a second to drive when a light turns green, to people cutting off others during lane changes.

As KIRO Radio traffic report Chris Sullivan pointed out, basic traffic laws are being broken all the time. Near the end of last year, the Washington State Patrol said things were getting so bad that it was inspired to send out “gentle” reminders on how to properly handle four-way stops, zipper merges, and proper passing techniques.

Of course, these kinds of things happen all over the country, where people are even being beaten to death in road rage incidents.

Maybe Washington isn’t so bad after all.

What do you think?

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Washington is one of the friendliest places to drive?