Yes, but ... what happens to Vancouver when they get an inch or two of snow?? ;-)

I agree that the majority of people in Vancouver (and Victoria) just don't seem to know how to drive in 1 to 2 inches of snow, or icy conditions.

Its just on average, people here really seem to be accident prone.

Maybe it is the influx of workers ....

People in Edmonton drive like they are playing a video game with no real-world consequences for their daring maneuvers. In order to safely navigate around Edmonton you have to assume that everyone else on the road is a complete idiot who does not see you or care if you are there. I find that there are 3 types of drivers in Edmonton: 1)The ones who don't know what they are doing or where they are going and hold up traffic,2)the maniacs who speed past me weaving in and out of traffic,3)me.

I like chipin's view. lol

I'm from Winnipeg originally, and have lived here for eight years now. One thing that I noticed is that Edmonton has a lot of big main "boulevards" that are easy to speed on.

For instance, in Winnipeg, you have to do a lot of stop and go driving no matter where in the city you go, because you sort of have to drive through neighbourhoods to get anywhere.

Here, if find you can go like crazy on city streets because there's just the occasional stop light to slow you down.

I've lived in and traveled in lots of Canadian cities too - and find it pretty much the scariest here (or maybe Calgary - I don't get there often)....or the QEII...very scary!

Driving around here definitely requires someone to be a good defensive driver.

Ok ...now i start worry. I will visit Edmonton next month and i am now wondering am i going to make it. I can't call myself agressive and pushy driver ...I rent it car but now wondering am I going to make it.Is it really that bad...do i have chance?

I don't think you should worry too much. Where are you staying? What are you doing?

Unless you are staying right downtown and doing downtown things, or staying on Whyte Ave doing Whyte Ave things, or staying at West Edmonton Mall and doing West Edmonton Mall things, driving a vehicle is pretty much a necessary evil in Edmonton for the average visitor. It is not impossible, but awkward and inconvenient to move from area to area via public transit, (let alone just arriving in the city - ie. the airport and the train station are inconvenient for non-auto travelers as well) and the areas are far-flung for pedestrians.

So it depends on what you want to do while you're here. If you don't want to drive, let us know what you want to do/where you're staying & we can try to help.

If you are arriving in Edmonton & then traveling elsewhere, again, driving is the most convenient means of getting around.

I wouldn't worry too much. I think in Edmonton we like to talk about driving even more than Canadians in general talk about the weather.

Just drive defensively, be alert, plan your routes, and don't mind the idiots who get on your case. We're a much nicer lot than our driving habits & accompanying behaviour would suggest.

We are staying in Travelodge Edmonton South...we are planning drive to Jasper for two days and stay in Edmonton for two days doing Mall...Fort and whatever else we can get to in that time.

It's not that bad unless you are as bad as the minimal crazy drivers out there. Just like any bigger City, drive defensively and stay off the main arterial roadways during rush hour (12 AM to 12PM) :)