Why North Dakota Residents Hate Bismarck-Mandan Drivers

What are your biggest pet peeves about Bismarck-Mandan drivers?

This is a question I recently asked my listeners on air, on our app, and on our social media pages. The response was overwhelming.  We have a big problem with driving in this neck of the woods. The consensus was that people in this section of North Dakota have some serious driving issues and probably need to go back to driver's education. I know what you're thinking.  These responses were coming from nothing but people who have moved here from other parts of North Dakota or other states.  That wasn't the case.

Even lifelong Bismarck Mandan residents were admitting the area has a problem with driving.

Let's dig into some of the responses I received and see if you agree with them.  I took in more than a hundred calls on-air, numerous messages on our app, and hundreds of responses on our social media pages.  I'd better throw Lincoln drivers into the mix to be fair.

(SEE ALSO: North Dakota's Most Dangerous Cities For 2025!)

The Top 15 Reasons Why People Hate Bismarck, Mandan, and Lincoln Drivers:

1.  "You have a blinker for a reason.  Use the damn thing!"  143 total complaints.

2.  "Don't drive 10, 15, or even 20 miles UNDER the speed limit.  117 total complaints.

3. "Learn to signal when you EXIT a roundabout.  Not entering a roundabout (You look really stupid, even though it's no longer a law, you should do it for safety.).  116 total complaints.

4.  "If you're first at a stoplight, you have a civic duty to pay attention for the light to turn green.  Stay off your phone and move when the light turns green."  91 total complaints.

5. "Don't pull out in front of people EVER, but especially during icy conditions. When you do this, people have no way to stop without going off the road or crashing into you."  61 total complaints.

6. "Quit being a red light runner.  You're going to get somebody killed."  56 total complaints.

7. "Stay off your phones while you're driving and other distracted driving behavioral habits."  49 total complaints.

8. "Don't wait to turn on your blinker AFTER you have stopped at a light or stop sign.  It's kind of pointless at that point."  44 total complaints.

9. "Don't be driving slowly in the left lane.  Move your a$$ over."  42 total complaints.

10. "Driving under the influence is a serious problem.  Don't do it."  39 total complaints.

11. "People who act as if they have never driven on snow before.  Good grief, this is North Dakota, for God's sake."  31 total complaints.

12. "People who ride your a$$ when they drive.  You're just begging to rear-end somebody."  29 total complaints.

13.  "Learn what to do at open (uncontrolled) intersections.  Whoever arrives first gets to go first (unless you are turning left).  It's that simple.  Not who has the biggest truck."  19 total complaints.

14.  "Learn to park correctly.  The lines are there for a reason."  9 total complaints.

15. "Pull over for emergency vehicles.  Don't be that guy or girl."  7 total complaints.

There you have it. 15 reasons most of us need to work on when it comes to driving in the Capital Region. Give it a shot on your way home tonight. You might even like it.