The King's Bay YM-YWHA and Trump Village West - Community Carnival, May 19, 2013

Sheepshead Bay Drivers Most Likely To…


by on Jun 17th, 2009

suv driving on sidewalk 1

We’re not really sure why a marketing company wanted the study — but Yahoo News reports that in a study commissioned by the Affinion Group it was found that New York drivers are the most aggressive.

The article states that New Yorkers take the prize for being the “angriest, most aggressive drivers who tailgate, speed, honk their horns, overreact and lose their tempers.”

The article quotes Affinion Group’s Michael Bush, who said that “New Yorkers were most likely to wave their fists or arms. They were most likely to lay on the horn and they were most likely to make some sort of obscene gesture.”

Last week, this SUV was caught driving onto the Sheepshead Bay Road sidewalk to drop off a passenger. Apparently, we’ll need to add “Drive on the Sidewalk and Curb” to that list of what aggressive New York drivers are most likely to do.

And while they’re at it, might as well add that NYC pedestrians are the “Most likely to Run For Their Lives”.

UPDATE: Since we posted this photo this morning, we have received a picture from one of our readers who took this picture of a car on East 15 Street parked in front of the Sheepshead Bay train station Wall Mural. It brings the driver’s point home even better: “If you don’t like my driving, get off the sidewalk.”

sidewalk driving sb rd

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  • Peter

    Living in Sheepshead Bay and working in the city, I have had plenty of experience as both a driver and a pedestrian. With that in mind, I could honestly say that New York also has some of the most aggressive pedestrians. Whether it is speeding, tailgating or cutting off as a driver or jaywalking and crossing on the “Don’t Walk” as a pedestrian, we’re all just trying to get somewhere as fast as we can. Thats just the way we are.

  • Anonymous

    That’s an excellent point, Peter. Many pedestrians appear to think that Right of Way means that they are immortal.

    The main difference between the driver and the pedestrian, is that a huge SUV weighs just a tad bit more.

    When that SUV came speeding onto the curb, it caused quite a startle and people were not sure whether it was going to stop or keep going. That type of scare can send people into sudden “flight or fright”.

    It’s a lot different when a pedestrian runs onto the sidewalk.

  • http://www.bksouthie.com/ Brian

    Ah, the Affinion Group. A couple of miles down the street from the place in Norwalk, CT where I worked for five years. I drove for the first year, and quite frankly I’m mildly surprised I survived Interstate 95 long enough to take the train the other four. If Affinion was looking for angry, aggressive, tailgating speedsters, they needn’t have looked any further than their front window.

  • Peter

    Living in Sheepshead Bay and working in the city, I have had plenty of experience as both a driver and a pedestrian. With that in mind, I could honestly say that New York also has some of the most aggressive pedestrians. Whether it is speeding, tailgating or cutting off as a driver or jaywalking and crossing on the “Don’t Walk” as a pedestrian, we’re all just trying to get somewhere as fast as we can. Thats just the way we are.

  • Anonymous

    That’s an excellent point, Peter. Many pedestrians appear to think that Right of Way means that they are immortal.

    The main difference between the driver and the pedestrian, is that a huge SUV weighs just a tad bit more.

    When that SUV came speeding onto the curb, it caused quite a startle and people were not sure whether it was going to stop or keep going. That type of scare can send people into sudden “flight or fright”.

    It’s a lot different when a pedestrian runs onto the sidewalk.

  • http://www.bksouthie.com/ Brian Hedden | BK Southie

    Ah, the Affinion Group. A couple of miles down the street from the place in Norwalk, CT where I worked for five years. I drove for the first year, and quite frankly I’m mildly surprised I survived Interstate 95 long enough to take the train the other four. If Affinion was looking for angry, aggressive, tailgating speedsters, they needn’t have looked any further than their front window.

  • jo

    after living in lima, peru for the last year, the aggressiveness of nyc drivers have nothing on limeños; so driving here doesn’t seem to bother me anymore. of course, now that i’m back, i’ll slowly start to realize how frustrating it still is to drive around this city.

  • jo

    after living in lima, peru for the last year, the aggressiveness of nyc drivers have nothing on limeños; so driving here doesn’t seem to bother me anymore. of course, now that i’m back, i’ll slowly start to realize how frustrating it still is to drive around this city.

  • http://www.antsrants.webs.com/ Anthony

    I’ve been to Natal, Brazil several times and have to say the driving is more aggressive there than any place I’ve seen in the states. The quantity of cars as well as the frequency and speed at which they cut each other off is unbelievable. The high speed swerving in and out is such a part of the norm, though that I didn’t really see any obscene gestures or yelling as a result of it all. Must be a Brooklyn thing!

  • http://www.antsrants.webs.com Anthony

    I’ve been to Natal, Brazil several times and have to say the driving is more aggressive there than any place I’ve seen in the states. The quantity of cars as well as the frequency and speed at which they cut each other off is unbelievable. The high speed swerving in and out is such a part of the norm, though that I didn’t really see any obscene gestures or yelling as a result of it all. Must be a Brooklyn thing!