JasonD

Since this forum is temporarily also used for NAIAS 2006....

Detroit Driving Tips for NAIAS Guests

1. First, you must learn to pronounce the city name. It's Di-troit. NOT DEE-troit. If you pronounce it DEE-Troit then we will assume you are from Toledo and here for the country Music hoe-down.

2. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Detroit has its own version of traffic rules... Hold on and pray.

3. The morning rush hour is from 6:00am to 10:00am. The evening rush hour is from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning. Weekends are open game.

4. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out and possibly shot. If you're first off the starting line when the light turns green, count to five before going. This will avoid getting in the way of cross-traffic who just ran their yellow light to keep from getting shot.

5. Schoenherr can only be properly pronounced by a native of the Detroit metro area. That goes for Gratiot too. Schoenherr is pronounced CHAYNER. Gratiot is pronounced, GRASH-IT.

6. Construction and renovation on I-94, I-96, I-75, I-275, I-375, The Lodge and Southfield freeways are a way of life. Just deal with it. There are two seasons in Detroit. Winter and construction.

7. If someone actually has their turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect or they are from out of town.

8. All old men with white hair wearing a hat have total right-of-way.

9. The minimum acceptable speed on I-696 is 85 regardless of the posted speeds. Anything less is considered downright sissy. Don't even think of allowing more than one car length between cars.

10. That attractive wrought iron on the windows and doors in Detroit is not ornamental. DO NOT get out of your car.

11. Never stare at the driver of the car with the bumper sticker that says "Keep honking, I'm reloading."

12. If you are in the left lane, and ! only going 70 in a 60 mph zone, people are not waving because they are so friendly in Detroit. I would suggest you duck.

13. I-275/I-696 is our daily version of NASCAR.

14. It's not M-10, it's "the Lodge".

15. That's not a lake, it's a pothole.

16. If someone tells you it's on Outer Drive, you better have a map.

17. The left turn is simple. If you want to turn left, go a 1/4 of a mile past your turn, get to the left, then make a left, then make a right. Now you have gone left.

Sidenotes:
6 mile turns into McNichols
8 mile turns into Baseline
15 mile turns into Maple.
16 mile turns into Big Beaver (exit 69 off I-75...) and becomes Metro Parkway somewhere along the way.
17 mile turns into Wattles
18 mile turns into Long Lake
19 mile turns into Square Lake
20 mile turns into Hall Road and then something else before it becomes M-59

Main street starts as "Main Street" and turns into Livernois for no apparent reason.

If someone tells you to take "75 South to Detroit" make sure you merge onto 375 or you'll end up in Toledo.

kick Z tail out

I'm considering possibly going. Not sure if I should, I just love traveling in the winter. And to see this car in person would be pretty neato-keen.

SFireGT98

Strange......

Some of those rules (esp the one about waiting 5 sec at a red light) apply to the Orlando area as well!

Chuck!

Detroit people - how bad is the Greektown casino area? My college roommates and I are going up for NAIAS and we wanted to do some boozing and gambling, but we're not going back to Canada because we got detained at the border last time.

Big Als Z

Thats it? Im from Jersey man. Home of the Jug Handle. Some of thoes "facts" makes me wonder if its possible to get a temp. consealed wepons license.

cASe SenSiTive

Greektown itself is very well patrolled. In general, any of the "nice" areas like Greektown or Foxtown are safe. Just don't wander over a street or two.

JoeliusZ28

IREngineer

I thought Maple was 14??

And Greektown is fine. I would park in the adjoining garage, because it is going to be COLD for you southerners (yes I saw your location).

Chuck!

I'm originally from the Cleveland area so I'm used to the midwest cold

IREngineer

Ok, you get a pass. Lake Effect is in your vocabulary

meissen

Maple's 15 mile. Also, it goes M-59, with South Boulevard running parallel, then South Boulevard turns into Dolbry road, which then merges with M-59, turning into Hall Road. (That's from West to East, atleast)

Big Als Z

Uh..yeah, Im gunna deffinatly have to print directions on where the hell to go.

ChrisL

The top 3 reasons why I'm not worried...

3) I drove a 10 bay beer truck in Manhattan
2) I drove a yellow cab in Manhattan

and the number one reason why I'm not worried........
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1) Dave said you'd be chauffering our azzes around.

ChrisL

actually, it isnt that bad. The Heritage Center is pretty close to the hotel, and I'm sure we'll have a local at the hotel we can follow there.

NAIAS.... Scott is arranging a bus from the hotel to CoBo on Monday.

So... pretty much just need to get good directions from the airport to the hotel.

Big Als Z

Im not flying in. Im gunna drive out and see a few friends in Ohio, and then head up some time Sunday. So directions to the Hotel once I reach city limits is what I need.