Hick question

[SlightlyGoofy]

I live in a town with a population of 2,000 so I am not used to 'big city' ways.

My question is this, when I go thru Atlanta on my way to WDW, (where else??) I see the left lane are marked for vehicles with 2 or more passengers. (I read so I know what they are)

I always ride in the middle lane as the road keeps splitting off along the way and it is easier for me to go either left or right.

Is it better to be in the far left lane and if so, will I be forced, at some point, to go across multiple lanes to stay on 75?

Also, if there should be some sort of accident (not my fault) is it more dangerous to be in that lane as opposed to the middle lane where you have more choices as to where to go?

Please be kind and give me some good info. The life you save might be mine.

Slightly Goofy

 

[CarolA]

It's up to you on the HOV lane in Atlanta. However, the HOV lane follows I-75 so you won't have to do a death defying lane change.

As for accident safety... there is not telling in Atlanta. With our traffic it's not like you have many "free lanes" to go to so you tend to hit the brakes and PRAY!

 

[maryliz]

You'll be much happier in the HOV lane! There is one part where the HOV lane looks like it's leaving I-75 -- it's really just veering around another cutoff, and you'll be back to being right beside 75 in no time. We have travelled several times through Atlanta during rush hour and watched while the other 6 lanes are sitting at a standstill while we are flying through.

MaryLiz

 

[disneyldwjr]

It's up to you on the HOV lane in Atlanta. However, the HOV lane follows I-75 so you won't have to do a death defying lane change.

As for accident safety... there is not telling in Atlanta. With our traffic it's not like you have many "free lanes" to go to so you tend to hit the brakes and PRAY!

Thanks Carol, now you have me suitable on edge. I am moving to FL on the 19th. LOL I am going from CT to Orlando. Will I be going through Atlanta?
I am totally directionally challenged.

 

[DebbieB]

One thing you have to watch about the HOV - you can only enter or exit the lane when there is a broken line.

If you are going through during rush hour, it would benefit you to use the HOV.

 

[DVC Grammy]

Thanks Carol, now you have me suitable on edge. I am moving to FL on the 19th. LOL I am going from CT to Orlando. Will I be going through Atlanta?
I am totally directionally challenged.

Unless you're taking a side trip, the answer is "no". I would imagine you'll be on I-95 pretty much all the way, once you get through NYC, until you leave it for I-4 towards Orlando. (Although Orlando traffic is no picnic, either !)
Have a safe trip.

 

[disneyldwjr]

Unless you're taking a side trip, the answer is "no". I would imagine you'll be on I-95 pretty much all the way, once you get through NYC, until you leave it for I-4 towards Orlando. (Although Orlando traffic is no picnic, either !)
Have a safe trip.

Thank you!!!! No, no side trips. Straight is the way. I was just in Orlando interviewing and obtaining housing, and you are right, I4 can be a real zoo.
I did not think anything could be worse than Hartford or the LIE, I was wrong. LOL

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Bless your little hearts. I really do appreciate the information.

DebbieB, I especially treasure your answer because I did not know about the broken line entering and exiting.

maryliz, thanks. It is a relief to know that I will not have to be switching multiple lanes. I can barely do one as I am blind in my left eye. (relax everyone, I have never had an accident that was my fault, have been hit twice while parked though)

disneyldwjr, I-4 just plain scares me to death. People get very upset if you do not stomp it and go even when you are not exactly sure where the heck you are supposed to go. Too many people going to work or getting off and just plain in a hurry to get home. It is a blessing for us and for them that we avoid this road.

Between the new DW toll road exit and the HOV lane this might be our easiest trip.

BTW, I always pray when in heavy traffic and most especially in Atlanta as our news reports (up here in hicksville) are replete with pictures of six hour backups with multiple cars wrecked and bodies laying along the road, especially when it frosts down yonder. Makes me wonder what YOUR programs are showing you about US.

Slightly Goofy

 

[DebbieB]

I have traveled through Atlanta many times because my company's office is in Duluth and I have to drive about 30 miles from the airport. Your best bet is to stay away from rush hour. One time I came into ATL around 8:30am and it was a nightmare. Other times I have come in around 10:00am and it was a breeze. Going back to the airport, I try to get on the road before 1:30-2:00, after that traffic backs up through the city.

 

[lizziepooh]

OK I am clueless! What does HOV mean? Why does the number of people in a car dictate the lane you drive in?

 

[shelleybell]

HOV= High Occupancy Vehicle

If you have more than 1 person in your vehicle, you can use the HOV lane. Not all roads have HOV lanes. It is the left hand lane(at least it is in DFW), and generally does not get backed up like the other 5 or so lanes. You can get a ticket for driving in the HOV lane with only 1 person.

It is meant for car poolers, more people in 1 vehicle=less vehicles on the road!

shelleybell

 

[seashoreCM]

Some HOV lanes (carpool & bus lanes) are "express", that is, do not allow choice at every exit but should allow a choice at all major exits.

When there is an HOV lane, all the other lanes still have all the choices unless they are marked "express".

If you are in an HOV lane (usually leftmost) with no curb and your exit comes up suddenly with a ramp only on the far side (right side) you must still change lanes one at a time in an orderly fashion even if you miss the exit.

(Standard everywhere in the U.S.) Although local laws may vary when there is one solid white line separating your lane from the next, you may not change lanes across two solid white lines (nor across a single solid white line with a broken white line next to it on the far side) except in a situation that just about every bystander would consider an emergency just by looking.

Especially away from cities you should not simply stay and cruise in the leftmost lane.

This one I don't understand: What difference does it make with a not-so-fast driver in the middle lane with traffic passing on both side as oppose to his being in the right lane with all traffic passing on one side, other than to the author doing some self-aggrandizing in the book where I read this?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

seashoreCM, thanks for the info for us poor benighted country bumpkins.

It plumbs scares the daylights out of me to just think of being in the far left lane HOV and have to go across 8 lanes (I think that is what it is in Atlanta) to get off on a far right exit. I would think that would be scary for even someone who is used to city traffic. I have been assured by several posters that the HOV lane in Atlanta will not require my vehicle seats to require immediate cleaning.

I do my level best to follow all traffic laws as I do believe that they are there for a good reason and make the roads safer for all HOWEVER, I have learned, from much experience, that when in bumper to bumper traffic it is best to 'go with the flow' as having people pass (on either the left or the right) makes it far more dangerous.

And that is why I was driving 90 miles an hour through Atlanta, officer. (I am a woman of mature years and have NEVER gotten a ticket in my entire life)

You also never have to worry about me tailgating as I believe in saving enough room just in case someone else hits me from the rear so I might not get crushed.

Two days to go!!

Slightly Goofy