Driving in New Bedford Is Equivalent to Playing Mario Kart

Growing up in Westport, the only obstacle I faced during my commutes was being stuck behind a tractor or a bus. At the time, it was somewhat of an inconvenience, but at least I wasn't worrying about my side-view mirrors being ripped off.

Then I moved to New Bedford, and if you're not accustomed to the side streets or simply driving around in the city, then I wish you the best of luck. It's almost as if you're playing Mario Kart with all the weaving and squeezing through tight spots.

Listen, I'm not here to complain, just stating a fact that over the years I've become accustomed to proper driving in New Bedford, especially since there's street parking on almost every street.

There are some areas such as County Street down by Linden House of Pizza, and Shawmut Avenue down by Rua's West-End Pizzeria, that almost feel as though I'm playing a game of chicken with the oncoming cars. Driveways and open parking spots are saviors and pretty much the only way two large vehicles are going to be able to pass each other.

It's almost as if the streets of New Bedford are not wide enough on the two-way traffic locations. There's obviously more cars now than when the streets were being paved, but it would have solved the problem of wondering if the car ahead of me is going to allow me to pass or if it's me that needs to find an area to pull off and patiently wait for them to pass.

I hate to make this sound like a first-world problem, it's most certainly nothing new – especially if you've lived in this area your entire life – just more of an observation I've noted as large jacked up diesel trucks attempt to make their way down a street way that's far too small for it to begin with.

There's no way I can be the only one who compares their daily commute to a wonky video game such as Mario Kart. The only thing missing is the banana peels, so let's hope it doesn't come to that.