Driving to Florida soon from Ontario, worried and scared

kimblebee said:
Show me where I said it doesn't happen..
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In fairness, you probably never said exactly that. But it's common for you to post in these type of threads in ways that imply a pearl-clutching, tsk-tsk sort of attitude. Maybe you don't intend it that way? And with a homicide rate of 3.6/100,000, in 2014, Winnipeg is almost as dangerous as New York City (3.9/100,000 that same year). You may think that statistic is superfluous to this discussion, but it goes directly to how perception is everything and you obviously believe that due to differing gun laws, the US is a way riskier place to be - in reality it's not.
 
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ronandannette said:
In fairness, you probably never said exactly that. But it's common for you to post in these type of threads in ways that imply a pearl-clutching, tsk-tsk sort of attitude. Maybe you don't intend it that way? And with a homocide rate of 3.6/100,000, in 2014, Winnipeg is almost as dangerous as New York City (3.9/100,000 that same year). You may think that statistic is superfluous to this discussion, but it goes directly to how perception is everything and you obviously believe that due to differing gun laws, the US is a way riskier place to be - in reality it's not.
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Yes Annette you have already made it clear in the past that you despise Winnipeg.
 
CdnCarrie said:
Yes Annette you have already made it clear in the past that you despise Winnipeg.
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{{sigh}} I've got nothing against Winnipeg; I've never even been there. The point is that statistically (using Winnipeg as an example because that's where Kimblebee lives) Canadian population centres are not necessarily any less prone to violent crime than American ones - guns or no guns.
 
Breaking news - another mass shooting in Baltimore. 3 year old among the injured but no fatalities reported. This is definitely becoming an almost daily occurrence in the U.S.
 
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ronandannette said:
In fairness, you probably never said exactly that. But it's common for you to post in these type of threads in ways that imply a pearl-clutching, tsk-tsk sort of attitude. Maybe you don't intend it that way? And with a homocide rate of 3.6/100,000, in 2014, Winnipeg is almost as dangerous as New York City (3.9/100,000 that same year). You may think that statistic is superfluous to this discussion, but it goes directly to how perception is everything and you obviously believe that due to differing gun laws, the US is a way riskier place to be - in reality it's not.
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Oh, I know we're the murder capital of Canada (woo). We are most years. I'm not doing any pearl clutching. Did I tut tut over the OP and tell her not to go? No, in fact I disagreed with something she said. The chances of me seeing a gun in my day to day life are less than none but when I'm in North Dakota every year I am keenly aware that every person around me could be carrying a gun. I'm not terrified, and I don't stop from going, but I also know to be aware of what's going around. Any loud noises or commotion gets more than just a passing glance like it would here.

This is nothing against you, but you are from Alberta, which is kind of seen as the gun province, so I get why you have strong attitudes. Do you or your family own guns?
 
kimblebee said:
Oh, I know we're the murder capital of Canada (woo). We are most years...
...This is nothing against you, but you are from Alberta, which is kind of seen as the gun province, so I get why you have strong attitudes. Do you or your family own guns?
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:rotfl2:Thanks for this - it honestly made me laugh out loud! And congrats - Thunder Bay is actually the murder capital of Canada in 2015; apparently Calgary is 2nd. And since I'm on a roll with the stats tonight, there are more than twice as many (licensed) guns in Quebec as Alberta. Surprised? http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/facts-faits/index-eng.htm
 
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tigercat said:
My two son's (both 36) and I will be driving to Florida from Ontario, Canada in Oct. After reading, listening and watching the news I am worried and scared about driving through the States. Going down on I75 and coming back along I77 and I79. With no gas in parts of Georgia, and all the violence going on is scaring me. With all the negativity all around I am worried that we might come upon it. With all the guns and people shooting and getting shot, it seems like it is a war zone. I realize that not all the States are like that but some of the areas that we will have to travel through have or are having a lot of trouble.

We can't afford to fly the 3 of us down to Florida so that is out. Is it really that bad? Some of the information I am getting is from people that actually live in some of the States that we are going through, so not all information is from the news.

tigercat
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The gas shortage has been pretty much resolved. Gas deliveries are back on track in the area, and I think the pipeline is even open again. So that's all good news! I'm not exactly sure where you'll be driving, but I wouldn't hesitate to drive anywhere in the US at present. As always, when traveling, stay abreast of the local news. That way you shouldn't be caught off guard. Otherwise, exercise the same precautions you'd use traveling anywhere in the world, and you'll be fine.
 


tigercat, We are in North Georgia and we are still conserving gas right now but we are told that most stations will have delivery back to normal this coming week. Since you are not traveling until Oct, you will be fine in that department.

As to random violence, it seems it can happen any where these days. I have not read if you are stopping over night or driving straight through but if you are stopping I would look for places outside of big cities. If you are driving straight though you might want to watch your timing. I know for us some big cities, like Atlanta, can be horrid during rush hours and we avoid those times like the plague.

Try not to stress and think of this trip as one big adventure. Chances are you are going to be fine and have a wonderful time.
 
AnnaFloridaLover said:
OP you will be fine. I understand your concerns but remember to just stay away from the areas that are a real threat.

I can't believe how nasty some people here can be. Would you talk to your grandmother this way if she had the same concerns? Would you want the internet experts to go off on her and belittle her? Geez.
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This is what bothers me. I recall a thread a few months back where someone was comtemplating cancelling her trip to Europe in light of terror attacks (I believe she did ultimately decide to delay)---while many people explained why she was likely to be safe, why her fears were unfounded, etc--I do not recall the sort of vitrol that this similar thread resulted in. people were pretty much all undersatnding that the news might make it seem unsafe and explainig that in reality things are fine, etc----no one was saying "don't come then" as if a person asking a question to find out of the media hype is reality is a bad person, no one asked if she was joking, etc.
I think OP will be just fine and most of hte US is pretty safe and the biggest risk is one of an auto accident, but I think it is perfectly reasonable that she was worried and that she also realized her worries might be unfounded so asked on a forum where a bunch of people living in America could give her a better picture. Being chided and insulted for so doing is awful.
 
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I also live in Canada and I watch American news. If my only experience with the USA was this highlight reel of the worst things that have happened in the entire nation I might be afraid too. However I visit the USA frequently and my mother is American. The thing to remember is that the USA is a huge nation with hundreds of millions of people and the news is showing you the worst things that are happening across the entire nation. While geographically Canada is larger we are less populated and have much more empty space. I think if the entire nation was the horrifying war zone it can look like when you see footage of one moment in one neighborhood of Charlotte, Americans would be at our borders trying to get in. But they're not and life is going on so while the riots in Charlotte were probably terrifying for the people who lived in the neighborhood where it was happening it is not an indication of what is going on in the entire nation.

Don't let your fears ruin things for you. Use common sense. Don't wander too far off the main roads. If you need to stop do so in well lit areas. Don't engage with anyone driving in an aggressive manner. Use the same common sense and awareness you would use when driving in Canada.
 
My family (we're Canadian) was once in a restaurant in (I think) Tennessee and noticed that two men at a table near us had guns. It did make us a bit uncomfortable - I can't imagine being in a restaurant in Canada and seeing people with guns.

Watching the show "Border Security" has been a bit eye-opening for me! I know that the show focuses on people who are getting stopped or turned back, but the impression you get is that so many Americans are casually carrying guns: they show up in diaper bags, glove compartments of cars, under the driver's seat, in women's purses, in backpacks, everywhere it seems! And then they act totally surprised that they aren't allowed to bring them into Canada. I remember one family that got lost trying to get to a park and ended up at the border - they had two little kids with them, and two guns.
 
I did a month-long road trip earlier this year and if I had listened to the news about avoiding certain cities I would have missed out on a lot! As a PP said, stay on the main roads/highways, pull off at well-lit rest stops along the way if needed (trust me there are plenty out there!), make sure you stay with the flow of traffic and have a great time. You'll be fine :goodvibes.
 
I was thinking about this last night.

I guess the best way I could think to explain it is that these shootings and crimes are like a needle in a haystack. If you happen to be digging in that hay right there by that needle you might run across it, but chances are still slim that you will even see it.
 
OP - I'm also Canadian and I've travelled a fair bit in the US (as I was born there, and have family there).

My advice to you is to know your route and stick to it.

We once took the wrong exit in Syracuse, New York, and ended up in a place that did indeed look like a war zone. The buildings were boarded up, some of the traffic lights were broken (which was fine, because we weren't comfortable stopping anyway), the streets were empty of cars, and there were people just sitting in doorways and standing around. We were legitimately worried for our safety.

Now we're extra-careful to research our route.

If you do get turned around, stop at a gas station to ask for directions.

I don't think your concerns are entirely unfounded, but I do believe with proper planning you'll be just fine. Most Americans are lovely people, just like most Canadians.

And for the record... I don't get offended when people believe stereotypes about Canada, either. I think it's funny. :)
 
Magpie said:
My advice to you is to know your route and stick to it.

We once took the wrong exit in Syracuse, New York, and ended up in a place that did indeed look like a war zone. The buildings were boarded up, some of the traffic lights were broken (which was fine, because we weren't comfortable stopping anyway), the streets were empty of cars, and there were people just sitting in doorways and standing around. We were legitimately worried for our safety.

Now we're extra-careful to research our route.
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And this is good advice no matter what country, or part of a country, you are traveling to, especially if you are going to cities. There are dangerous sections of most cities around the world, and travelers should do their best to avoid them. That doesn't mean, for the most part, that you should be afraid of that entire city, region, or country, though. (There are obvious exceptions, of course.)
 
Sanchez said:
Your accusatory statement about someone lacking empathy is one of the most unkind posts on this thread.
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Keep in mind that you have never spoken to this person IRL as most of us here have never done. Tone is lost when you don't know the person making a statement. Read it with a different perspective in mind and maybe it won't sound accusatory.

I feel that some of the posters here, and not just on this thread, lack empathy but I do so based on the fact that they feel the need to keep coming back and saying how ridiculous someone is or how wrong someone is. Let it go, why do these people feel like they have to have the last word? If this is something that you are so adamant about channel that energy it something more productive. If you don't like the content of a thread move on, it serves no one to try and pick arguments with strangers on the Internet.

As another thread proves, the positive conversations get pushed to the bottom on account of petty nitpicking on threads like this.
 
Teresa Pitman said:
My family (we're Canadian) was once in a restaurant in (I think) Tennessee and noticed that two men at a table near us had guns. It did make us a bit uncomfortable - I can't imagine being in a restaurant in Canada and seeing people with guns.

Watching the show "Border Security" has been a bit eye-opening for me! I know that the show focuses on people who are getting stopped or turned back, but the impression you get is that so many Americans are casually carrying guns: they show up in diaper bags, glove compartments of cars, under the driver's seat, in women's purses, in backpacks, everywhere it seems! And then they act totally surprised that they aren't allowed to bring them into Canada. I remember one family that got lost trying to get to a park and ended up at the border - they had two little kids with them, and two guns.
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This is NOT an attack or me trying to be snarky with you, but can you help me understand why that makes you uncomfortable? Is the people with the gun? The gun itself? Do you feel like the person with the gun is a "bad guy" who will just shoot anytime?
 
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