The Bad News or The Bad News

We were wondering what would be next on the list of complaints, now that the rain has passed. Apparently it's the fact that we're not the worst drivers in the nation. The recent survey, which was covered in the Herald yesterday, put Boston in the top five cities in Road Rage. Bostonist has our own theory about why we don't rank #1 – we're used to it. We were following an SUV this past weekend that slowed, turned on their signal – apparently to turn down a one-way street the wrong way. What happened next? A U-turn. Yes, someone actually signaled the u-ey. Making the mad dash through a recently-turned red light is nothing new, taking a left from the far right lane – blasé. It isn't something to get worked up about when it's something you encounter anytime you're behind the wheel or in the passenger seat. When driving in other cities we've often found ourselves sitting curiously at an intersection wondering "is he letting them in? Wow." But we're not number one on this survey, we're number five behind Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. The survey measured indications of road rage and not bad or crazy masshole driving.

Watching those wonderful surveys of quality of life, we're still not sure if we are better off on the mean streets of masshole driving or putting our shoes on the sidewalk and walking through the "Walking City." Another survey ranks Boston sixth crappiest. Only dog owners in Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, and Seattle rate worse in picking up after their pets. (Public Service Announcement: doggie doo doo can spread disease and illness) People in Phoenix really have it bad – stepping in sh*t on the sidewalk and getting really mad behind the wheel, perhaps their best commuter option is helicopter. Road-raging drivers in New York have a better chance of not stepping in something if they take the sidewalks. For Seattle, well, stay in your car. People are friendly drivers but the sidewalk is littered with "presents" from Rover.

That said, it's bike week and the sun is shining. Grab your two wheeler and your helmet and take to the streets and remember to share the road.

Another two-fer: Flickr user: Brian Sawyer shows us his commute through his windshield - all backed up and Flickr user: Kevin shows us the signs of a clean(er) lawn.