storckm

I haven't been commuting as much since mid-March, but I've been walking more and doing some long rides. It seems to me that motorists are more erratic and irritable than back in the winter. (I wouldn't have thought it possible if you'd told me.)

Darth Lefty 

It did at first. But that was in April. Since everyone said "f it," no.

DrIsotope

^^^
What they said. Driving habits seemed to change here for... about a month, and that was just because there were fewer cars on the road, because there was no place to go. Now it is absolutely back to "normal," as if nothing is happening. Close passes, attempted right hooks, the whole smorgasbord of distracted driving jackassery. Which is exactly what I anticipated, so I am pleasantly disappointed.

BobbyG

The facts are irrelevant if the narrative can be controlled...that's what I learned from 2020.

But seriously, it seems like traffic is back to normal with maybe a few more isolated examples of bad driving. However I also see more occurrences of patience and graciousness out there.

Maybe two to one a-holes over angels.

That's my perspective from the bike saddle.

From the driver's seat, traffic seems worse, but that may be just in contrast to how pleasant my bike commutes along mostly quiet, empty streets.

storckm Your post got me thinking about what socio-economic factors in 2020 may be contributing to a perceived increase in bad driving behavior. Now I am depressed.

Fortunately, I have bikes and beer, family and friends, employment and purpose...for now, anyway.

AlmostTrick

About the same. At first it was different because of the lower levels of traffic. Some drivers took this as an opportunity to increase their speed and lack of regard for others. But it's been back to the old normal for some time now, not better or worse.

Atvar

No, not really. At least here in Italy.

Papa Tom

The same confrontational, aggressive behavior that has permeated the rest of our society is definitely showing out on the road. For the first time ever, I am afraid when I get on my bike in the morning.

bargo68 

No science, just casual observation: yes, drivers are more erratic, aggressive and dangerous. There is a lot of ambient stress and anxiety on the planet right now and many people take their tortured psyches onto the road in automobiles. I have been lucky enough to be able (physically, geographically and logistically) to commute on my bicycle and for the most part I've been out of my car for months now.
There is something ominous about the way people's negative emotional states are amplified by driving a car. A society of weaponized vehicles.

rhm

Every day I encounter a different group of drivers. There's probably some overlap with yesterday, because we're all out on the roads at the same time, but there's also new people in the mix every day. And all these different drivers, they all drive differently... well, a little differently maybe.

So, yes. Different drivers than before, and therefore different driving.

fietsbob

After? you're not in the US then.. people are still dying in droves , here... It's Not Over...

moses

When traffic was lighter rolling stops at intersections became the norm

wolfchild

Yes I notice a difference....There is more speeding, more aggressive,, impatient reckless drivers, more stunt driving, more road rage,,,,Cyclists need to be more vigilant and more cautious then ever before.

Papa Tom

I think the OP meant to say "since COVID-19," as in since COVID-19 became an out-of-control pandemic.

BismarckII

In Germany many old people now switched to cars, as they feel it is safer. This has brought me into so many dangerous situations, as they are barely able to look around (physically). It became so dangerous to go by bike

calv

Yep. "After" simply means "before" COVID-19 in this case.

fietsbob

Anti Mask is the new Dunning Kruger IQ pass /fail threshold ..

Bike Gremlin

In Novi Sad (Serbia), there has been an increase in the number of cyclists over the last decade.
Rather sharp increase since the Corona "festival" had started.
Drivers have become a bit more aware of us being present on the road and I would say (subjective impression, not a statistically valid one) that the situation is just slightly better than it used to be.
On the roads at least. On many separate cycling lanes - there is an increased number of unskilled people on bicycles, so it takes some caution and lower speed to be safe with them around. Nothing too bad (for now), but noticeable.

I-Like-To-Bike

Just received a letter yesterday from State Farm, that it is reducing its auto rates, by an average of 11% nationwide due its policyholders' reduced driving and associated accident claims.
Presumably it uses real life actuarial data rather than anecdotes to determine rates.

Clyde1820

I've found a number of folks seem to be driving faster, using directional signals less frequently, blowing stop signs, and generally driving in a less-patient manner.

But I've also found an increasing number of drivers who seem to be resigned to the more-sedate, more-cautious approach that seems communicated out there ... as in, there are more pedestrians, more cyclists, thus one has to be even more vigilant and cautious.

Overall, I suppose it's much the same. With some of the baddies behaving even worse, but many of the goodies driving with a bit more tolerance.

From what I've heard in the local news, this past eight months or so, the incidence of crashes into cyclists has dropped. Even at a time when there are definitely greater numbers of cyclists around. That's a good thing, locally. Hopefully it'll last.

hsuBM

Upstate NY has become home to the worst drivers from Illinois, Maryland, Florida, Illinois, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, the Carolinas, Wyoming, and...

Are there any humans left in Illinois? Have they all left? I’m sure at least a fifth of them have relocated to Syracuse alone. Even the ones who look like they’re supposed to be tending to cattle and corn are here.

The roads, highways and city streets around me are all crammed way beyond what they were designed for, which obviously is agitating both the locals and the visitors.

There aren’t more cyclists, but in May/early June the population of marathon joggers surged exponentially and has since disappeared.

storckm

By after, I mean after quarantine, etc. I realize the virus is still with us.

Helldorado

In March and April it was a joy to commute my ten miles each way to work and back. Cars were much less numerous. Often (at 6 AM) I'd be the only one on the streets. But now it's much worse. So much so that I have actually re-routed my commute to avoid all the busy thoroughfares and now cut across quiet neighborhood stress. Takes me longer to get to work, but the benefits of lower cortisol levels in my veins are worth the slight delay.