Question about 285

Science Chic wrote: I'm a lead-foot as well lol but I have found that of all the highways, 285 is actually the best when it comes to commuting. I-70 has a ton more truckers and people passing through the state so more volume to slow it down. Once you get in the city, C470 is a nightmare in spots and I-25 all the way through downtown. Plus we have the prettiest scenery!

I don't get it either how people miss the double yellow line, or the multiple signs either announcing stay to the right and exit to the right. Fortunately, it doesn't happen that often because when it does, it's pretty bad. CDOT is still looking into other options to make that spot safer.

It is not that SC is a lead foot I think it is because her heels get caught!

Science Chick,

I was born and raised here in Colorado (sorry HC, but you're wrong) and remember when 285 was mostly one lane, not too far west/south of Morrison. I don't drive as a profession, but more for enjoyment of the open road. Most of my profession deals with investigations and assessments.

HappyCamper wrote: Why is everyone in such a hurry take a look around and enjoy what you see.

If people want to drive slow down the hill let them at the bottom you can go around them why stress yourself.

Not to be mean but I find that those that come from other places are usually the first to complain about the driving here.

I use to have to travel a lot and all I can say is get me back home to Colorado and better than that back to the mountains where most traffic jams are caused by elk.

HappyCamper,

It's not about being in a hurry, it's about impeding traffic. When I want to enjoy what I see, I let someone else do the driving, otherwise I keep my attention on the road, where it belongs.

MikeHighsmith wrote: Science Chick,

I was born and raised here in Colorado (sorry HC, but you're wrong) and remember when 285 was mostly one lane, not too far west/south of Morrison. I don't drive as a profession, but more for enjoyment of the open road. Most of my profession deals with investigations and assessments.

I also was born and raised here and have lived on the mountains for 21 years now. If someone wants to go down a hill at 45 instead of 55 it is not going to cause a problem just like the semi's that need to go even slower than that. Does it back up traffic? Yes, sometimes but nothing like what happens when you are in town.

People see things differently the way I see it is life is to short to get all worked up over it and just wait until I can legally pass those that do not feel comfortable driving down the hill.

Oh well have fun in the snow.

MikeHighsmith wrote: Science Chick,

I was born and raised here in Colorado (sorry HC, but you're wrong) and remember when 285 was mostly one lane, not too far west/south of Morrison. I don't drive as a profession, but more for enjoyment of the open road. Most of my profession deals with investigations and assessments.

It was nice back then, used to be able to go from Morrison to Fairplay without one traffic light. Downside? If you got stuck behind a semi, not many places to pass. Do love the new acceleration lane on the South Park side of Kenosha Pass.

That's a dangerous stretch - I drive it every day. There are many side-roads and driveways along that stretch. It is not uncommon for someone to be stopped or significantly slowed in the single lane southbound to turn left or right or going very slowly from just turning onto the highway. There are enough blind corners that you could, if going full-bore 55 come around a corner and have to slam on the brake for one of those situations.

For whatever reason (I'm still scratching my head on this one) a lot of large trucks headed southbound end up in the northbound passing lane at Shaffer's Crossing.

There have also been many instances where northbound vehicles are across the center line a bit (or more than a bit!) to pass someone in the right lane. It is also not uncommon for a vehicle in the northbound passing lane to start slowing suddenly to enter the left turn at King's Valley. So you have a head of steam passing someone and have to hit the binders for the car in front of you who is turning - or a car turning out from King's Valley and jumping immediately into the passing lane rather than using the acceleration lane.

Although I generally drive 5 over most of the highway I think it's a good idea to go a little slower in that stretch between Richmond Hill and Shaffer's Crossing just in case.

I noticed the same thing as the OP did, people that ride their brake are as dangerous as the speeding crowd.
I have also seen a semi ride left into the northbound lane.
just be careful.b

The slow-down may be a throw-back to before Shaffer's Crossing area was widened. That part of 285 always sketched me out 'cuz going Northbound you are coming down a hill with a sweeping curve and once you get to the bottom, going back uphill there is another sweeping curve going the other way. And there are a lot of side roads.

I was driving to Denver once at that area before they widened it...I was in the "slow" lane and knew it was going to go away soon, when a cement truck came up on my left hand side and just about pushed me off the road 'cuz he wanted to get past me.

Also, there are a lot of deer along that stretch of road. Not the worst part of 285, but not the best area either.

Do love the passing lanes on the south sides of Kenosha and Red Hill Pass...makes driving a lot easier and less people being stupid and passing unsafely.

Science Chic wrote:

HappyCamper wrote:

Science Chic wrote: I'm a lead-foot as well lol but I have found that of all the highways, 285 is actually the best when it comes to commuting. I-70 has a ton more truckers and people passing through the state so more volume to slow it down. Once you get in the city, C470 is a nightmare in spots and I-25 all the way through downtown. Plus we have the prettiest scenery!

I don't get it either how people miss the double yellow line, or the multiple signs either announcing stay to the right and exit to the right. Fortunately, it doesn't happen that often because when it does, it's pretty bad. CDOT is still looking into other options to make that spot safer.

It is not that SC is a lead foot I think it is because her heels get caught!

Never happen, I've no problems getting around in my beloved heels!

Early onset dementia or just a case of pedal misapplication?

http://www.coyoteblog.com/coyote_blog/2 ... ience.html

"These cases, out of some 300 pending, were chosen for a reason. Study after study, including one last year by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, finds that elderly female drivers are inordinately prone to "pedal misapplication."