The beginning of this column is going to sound like an SAT question, but please stick with me folks. There are no right or wrong answers, I’m just curious. Here’s my question:
Let’s say you need to get from Point A to Point B. You can take the interstate (which is more miles) or surface streets (which is less miles). Both take the same amount of time. Which route do you take?
Here’s why I asked this question. I realized something the other day. All things being equal, I prefer driving on surface streets rather than the freeway.
For example, whenever I go to The Punchline Comedy Club in Sandy Springs, which is quite often, I use the side roads as opposed to the interstate. My wife questioned me why I did this thinking it would be quicker to use the freeways (Interstate 75 and Interstate 285 in this example). For research sake, I drove to the club on the interstates and returned home on the side streets. Both trips took the same amount of time, but the interstate route was a longer trip, in terms of miles.
After much thought about why I prefer the side streets to the interstates, I came to the conclusion that I feel, rightly or wrongly, that side streets are safer. In my 17-plus years as a traffic reporter, I have seen more than my fair share of horrific crashes, and a majority of those happened on interstates. With increased speeds and increased number of vehicles on the freeways, I think the chances of being involved in a bad wreck go up on interstates. I also feel, again rightly or wrongly, that I have a better chance of avoiding big delays by sticking to the side roads. If I run into backups on side roads I can often maneuver around them by using alternate routes. If you get stuck in a big interstate jam, you might literally be stuck with no way out.
Lastly, and this probably is only a “me” thing, I feel more comfortable on side streets due to the increased access to restrooms on my voyage. If I’m driving on Roswell Road to the Punchline for example, and the need strikes, there are many options for me to pull over. On I-75 and I-285 I would need to jump off the freeway and scramble for a place to go. Too much information, I know.
Apparently I’m not alone in my reasoning. Joan Durbin from East Cobb prefers driving on surface streets.
“Less stress and less likely to be caught in accident-related gridlock,” Durbin said. “I’d rather deal with a dozen traffic lights rather than risk sitting for an hour or more in a thick clot of non-moving vehicles with no way to escape.”
Obviously not everyone agrees with me.
“Interstate. (I) have a lead foot and little patience for traffic lights and soccer moms,” said Michael Christopher of Kennesaw.
When all is said and done, I guess I have better peace of mind on side roads.
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