Since I’ve moved to Lafayette for college, I think it’s safe to say that Lafayette has some of the worst drivers within Louisiana.

When I first moved over here, I thought I could handle the road since I used to live near Mississippi (please don’t go to Mississippi if you feel like going on a road trip I’m begging y’all), but I was absolutely wrong.

At this point whenever I go on the road, I have to mentally prepare myself before I go from one place to the other, and it doesn’t even matter if it’s a five-minute drive or 10 minutes. Google Maps has been my best friend since my first year of college, and I will use it as long as I live at this point. 

I can not stand the fact that Lafayette drivers do not follow the rules of the road. When I go the correct speed limit, I get either honked at or they ride my tail, and at that point I question, why are you on the road? Do you just want to see the world burn?

The roads, especially Johnston Street and Pinhook Drive, are not in the best shape, and I can not tell you how many times I had to sit in silence so that I make sure I do not end up on the side of the road. It’s also really hard to have groceries or food in the car since you have to slam on the breaks because people just love to cut others off or go 10 miles below the speed limit.

I don’t think I have ever had a positive experience on the road because whenever I park my car at my apartment I think to myself “What am I doing with my life?” Even the parking in Lafayette makes me question if this town is giving out driver’s licenses to anyone that can just breathe. 

I remember how I got into my first wreck here in Lafayette because someone didn’t check their blind spot. The only core memory I had from that day was how good Panera is after you cry your eyes out. I don’t understand why people don’t check their blind spots anymore because it’s one of the first things you learn when you’re learning how to drive. 

Along with blind spots, people in Lafayette don’t check the speed limit anymore, and I think that is the biggest pet peeve I’ve noticed while driving in the area. I always make sure to stay at the correct speed limit, but there are people who think it’s okay to go 70 in a 45 speed limit on Johnston. 

What I find so disappointing is that even cops who are supposed to follow the rules don’t even follow the rules of the roads anymore. They are supposed to watch over who’s on the road, but want to speed over the limit when somebody is driving the correct limit. 

I don’t think that the people driving make the town bad in any way; I just think that it’s hard to get involved with events that go on in Lafayette if there are people who are dangerous on the road, especially at night. 

Even if I feel interested going anywhere in the evening, I stay in because it’s scary knowing people will risk anything on the road, and it’s not worth risking my safety along with the people that I care about.

I hope in the future that the town can improve the roads, but at the same time I understand why there can’t be immediate changes to this issue since the main roads that are so damaged are the ones that are the main route that takes you anywhere.