Driving / Traffic, Houston

If you have heard anything about Houston, I'm sure by now you have heard that Houston has a lot of cars! No mass transportation system = lots of people with automobiles. And like most big metropolitan areas with large freeway systems, driving can be very slow due to traffic, and very stressful. But construction on these freeways, as well as it's regular roads, is something that you will most likely never experience, at least to this degree, anywhere else in the world. Practically every freeway in Houston is under construction, along with many of it's busy secondary roads. This can make for a very scary driving experience for someone that is not used to driving under these conditions. With the many construction areas around town and the diversions and debris that go along with them, one must be extremely careful when trying to navigate around these areas. It doesn't help matters that many local drivers think that they are Mario Andretti, speeding through, in, and out of these places. So my advice for any driver that is either not from here and/or not used to these kind of driving conditions is keep a watchful eye out for anything and everything, and be patient. The traffic will find you whether you like it or not! :)

When most people think of speed traps, they picture someone cruising along an interstate highway, and upon entering a small town's local jurisdiction, the local Johnny Law is on his radar gun like nobody's business, ready to pull you over if you are going 3 miles over the speed limit. Well, this is true. But what is also a fact here in town is that there are several small "towns" or "cities", at least in name, within Houston's city limits, that have their own police, their own judges, and their own speed limits. A few include West University Place, Southside Place, and Bellaire. A big source of income for these places are traffic fines, and their speed limits can attest to this! You may be driving down a in Houston, and all of the sudden you are in Bellaire, where the speed limit may drop significantly. And most likely there is a Bellaire police officer there to happily pull you over if you do not notice this change. And whats more, please be aware of school zones in these tiny communities, not only for your wallet, but what they are intended for, the children that are nearby. These areas are watched especially close by the police in these cities, so speeding through them will almost guarantee yourself a ticket. So as you should anywhere that you are behind the wheel, just be aware of the posted speed limits, and you will have no problems!

I'm having another panic attack just thinking about my driving experiences in Houston over this past weekend. If one could drive through or around Houston using only the freeways, it would be a little scary, but doable. However, if you have to get off of the freeways, then find a way to back on them, you're in for a load of trouble. The highway people in this metropolitan area don't have a clue about placing understandable, sensible signage. On more than one occasion on our short visit, we followed a sign indicating a desired freeway was ahead, or to the right, only to drive for blocks without seeing another sign, or to learn that we could only go north when we needed to go south. I have driven in every major city in the US, and I have NEVER had as much trouble finding my way around. The matter becomes complicated if you try to ask for directions, as so many Houstonians are immigrants with a poor command of English and a poor knowledge of the city.

Thankfully, once you do get on the freeway, you do know what to expect. Every thirty seconds or so, some mean-ass Texan with a 4-wheel drive pickup or SUV as big as a Greyhound bus will go flying past you then shamelessly cut in front of you. At least you can be mentally prepared for that.

There is constant construction on road ways and the traffic can come to a complete stop at times. Rush hour is 0600-0900 and again 1600-1900 but there is a constant flow of people on the roads all day, everyday.

There is constant construction on road ways and the traffic can come to a complete stop at times. Rush hour is 0600-0900 and again 1600-1900 but there is a constant flow of people on the roads all day, everyday.

I was shocked to see that the price of fuel in downtown Houston was a good 20 cents higher than the price of fuel on the same day just 20 miles outside of Houston. I ended up having to pay 2.24 a gallon for Diesel, since there were no other options and I was out of fuel.

Just be warned!!

Please do not expect to get anywhere in any reasonable amount of time if you are travelling across the City of Houston. There are several main arteries, and you will be mildly better off if you are carpooling, but the amount of traffic on the highways is truly ridiculous. It took me a little over an hour to get through a 15 mile stretch of highway recently, leading me to take this picture.

If you are going to have to make a long trek during the rush, check out the website below, and you can get the up-to-the-minute traffic report.

1... You must learn to pronounce the city name. It is Hugh-stun not Houston.

2... Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Houston has its own version of traffic rules.... Hold on and pray. There is no such thing as a dangerous high-speed chase in Houston. They all drive like that.

3... All directions start with, "Go down to Loop 610".... which has no beginning and no end.

4... The Chamber of Commerce calls getting through traffic a "scenic Drive".

5... The morning rush hour is from 6:00 to 10:00. The evening rush hour is from 3:00 to 7:00. Friday's rush hour starts morning. (except I-10 where it's rush hour traffic everyday, all day and even some nights after 9:00)

6... If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out and possibly shot. When you are the first one on the starting line, count to five when the light turns green before going to avoid getting into any cross-traffic's way.

7... Kuykendahl Road can only be pronounced by a native.

8... Construction on I-10, I-45, US 59 and Loop 610 is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment.

9... All unexplained sights are explained by the phrase, "Oh we must be in Pasadena!

10... If someone actually has their turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect.

11... All old ladies with blue hair in pink Cadillacs have total right-of-way.

12... The minimum acceptable speed on Loop 610 is 85. Anything less is considered downright sissy.

13... The wrought iron on windows in east Houston is not ornamental.

14... Never stare at the driver of the car with the bumper sticker that says, "Keep honking, I'm reloading." In fact, don't Honk at anyone.

15... If you are in the left lane and only going 70 in a 60 mph zone people are not waving when they go by.

16... The Sam Houston Toll Road is our daily version of NASCAR.

17... If it's 100 degrees, Thanksgiving must be near!