Some days I wish they'd invent teleportation technology...

[blas]

Protege: that's what I call "Racing to the Red Light". It never fails.....most of the time people are tailgating me or racing past me right before stoplights that are red.

I guess some people don't mind wearing out their brakes prematurely.

[CorDarei]

To Mr. Blinker-Happy: while I appreciate that you had your blinker on while driving down the road, I did not appreciate nearly getting T-boned by you because you were not, in fact, slowing down to turn into the parking lot before my turn, and rather decided you would go straight through the intersection despite the large, red Jeep making a turn in front of you. Quite frankly, you're worse than the people who turn without signalling....

that's why it's safe to never assume someone is turning, because i pretty sure you would be at fault if you turned in front of someone. Even when i see a blinker, i wait until they're slowed down for their turn or past me with their blinker still glowing happily along with the ride before i turn.

[Kogarashi]

that's why it's safe to never assume someone is turning, because i pretty sure you would be at fault if you turned in front of someone. Even when i see a blinker, i wait until they're slowed down for their turn or past me with their blinker still glowing happily along with the ride before i turn.

Yeah, I know. Thing was, they did start to slow down, at least a little. But when I was mid-turn they were going faster again, like they'd decided they weren't going to turn there after all and were, in fact, going to go through the intersection and just didn't notice my car already there. I didn't even hear any horns honking, which is surprising considering the drivers in this town. So I'll willingly, if not gladly, take my share of the blame.

[Andara Bledin]

that's why it's safe to never assume someone is turning, because i pretty sure you would be at fault if you turned in front of someone. Even when i see a blinker, i wait until they're slowed down for their turn or past me with their blinker still glowing happily along with the ride before i turn.

I don't know about other states, but in California if you are turning and the other person is going straight (and isn't running a light), then you are automatically at fault, even if you're turning into the right hand lane, and the guy going straight drifts across three lanes from the left to run into you.

I only know this because that is precisely what happened to a friend of mine.

Yeah, I know. Thing was, they did start to slow down, at least a little. But when I was mid-turn they were going faster again, like they'd decided they weren't going to turn there after all and were, in fact, going to go through the intersection and just didn't notice my car already there.

Never assume that anyone is actually going to do what their blinker says they are. My driver's ed teacher made a particular point about this, stating that you can never tell when they're just stupid, and even if they start to slow down, it could just mean that they're lost and are trying to read road signs.

People pull that stunt all the time here in CT. I-91 splits down by Exit 1.

That's rather funny. I was on the 91 freeway here in California when the lady I posted about pulled that carp on me.

As for the pedestrian, if she doesn't start paying more attention, she might end up like this guy (or worse):

http://www.snopes.com/photos/accident/pedestrian.asp
Youtube has a larger image size: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NxvF0Efi5Ps

^-.-^

[Kogarashi]

- snip weird at-fault rule -

Now that's just messed up. I can understand the automatic at-fault, except when it's clearly the fault of the driver going straight. Why can't exceptions be made?

Never assume that anyone is actually going to do what their blinker says they are. My driver's ed teacher made a particular point about this, stating that you can never tell when they're just stupid, and even if they start to slow down, it could just mean that they're lost and are trying to read road signs.

Fair enough. My bad. Where do I do penance?

- snip videos -

That guy is so lucky. ::shakes head:: One more reason that when I choose to ignore the crosswalk signals around here (usually because they're not actually doing anything), I still make sure I'm not going against the actual traffic signal. I also tend to book it across intersections, even when I've got full right of way.

[Andara Bledin]

Fair enough. My bad. Where do I do penance?

No penance required. Just be careful, 'cause there are a lot of drivers out there who should never be let behind the wheel in the first place.

That guy is so lucky. ::shakes head:: One more reason that when I choose to ignore the crosswalk signals around here (usually because they're not actually doing anything), I still make sure I'm not going against the actual traffic signal. I also tend to book it across intersections, even when I've got full right of way.

I don't trust other drivers. I make a specific point to be watching traffic (the with traffic as well as the cross, since someone doing something stupid at any point in the intersection can affect me) when I have to cross. And while I will usually be reading when I'm walking, I also make a point of not reading while crossing streets.

^-.-^

[Pagan]

that's why it's safe to never assume someone is turning, because i pretty sure you would be at fault if you turned in front of someone. Even when i see a blinker, i wait until they're slowed down for their turn or past me with their blinker still glowing happily along with the ride before i turn.

Around here, if the blinker is on, they're not turning. If it's not on, they will turn, you just don't know where....and don't have any brake lights either!

A local columnist some years ago, when a flat-land feriner was complaining about the lack of turn signal use, said, "We don't use turn signals, they confuse the natives."

[froglet]

*nip*
And while I will usually be reading when I'm walking, I also make a point of not reading while crossing streets.

Apparently, in New York, they are/were considering making it illegal to wear headphones while walking because people are idiots and blindly walk into the intersections and cant hear any car horns or emergency service sirens.

I would hate to be cited on my bike for wearing music since I, being somewhat endowed with common sense, keep my tunes at minimal volume, not full blast.

[Andara Bledin]

I would hate to be cited on my bike for wearing music since I, being somewhat endowed with common sense, keep my tunes at minimal volume, not full blast.

Yeah, that would suck to have to pay due to the stupidity of others.

When I've got headphones on, I rarely even wear them fully covering my ears. I don't like to not be able to hear stuff around me unless I'm at home, and even then, I'll often do the same thing.

^-.-^

[Geek King]

As for the pedestrian, if she doesn't start paying more attention, she might end up like this guy (or worse):

http://www.snopes.com/photos/accident/pedestrian.asp
Youtube has a larger image size: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NxvF0Efi5Ps

Holy Carp! I go through that intersection about once a week on work-related stuff. And like Snopes mentions, people all over town here cross against the lights, especially around the colleges. It's like they want to be hit. Freaky.

[sms001]

Some days I wish they'd invent teleportation technology...
...so I wouldn't have to deal with these yahoos on the road. Of course, they'd probably still find a way to muck up the teleportation. Ugh.

BTW:

http://researchweb.watson.ibm.com/qu...teleportation/

http://www.timeenoughforlove.org/sav...portedData.htm

So here's hoping

[Kogarashi]

BTW:

http://researchweb.watson.ibm.com/qu...teleportation/

http://www.timeenoughforlove.org/sav...portedData.htm

So here's hoping

Indeed.

I also keep telling my husband that I wish I could Apparate like in Harry Potter. Or something similar. (Dimension Door, anyone?)

[Pagan]

When I've got headphones on, I rarely even wear them fully covering my ears. I don't like to not be able to hear stuff around me unless I'm at home, and even then, I'll often do the same thing.

I generally only have one earbud in, too. Mainly because of where I sit for work, my back is to every approach to me (which I hate).

[Kogarashi]

In Connecticut, gridlock isn't a traffic phenomenon, it's a way of life.

Dear Clueless Lady,

See how the cars ahead of you are backed up to the intersection and not moving? That means you can't make it across right now. Notice how your traffic light is turning red, and you still can't get across? Don't start.

Why did you start? Now you're sitting in the middle of the intersection, inching forward at a speed of .001 mph, while I'm stuck waiting at my green light because, while my Jeep could probably drive over (or through) your teeny Volvo, I don't relish the idea of a ticket.

No love, Me.


::facepalm:: Why do people here feel the need to gridlock? It's not going to get them to their destination any faster. Police around here should really enforce the "don't block the intersection" rules.

I especially hate it when I'm turning left and these cars are effectively keeping me from taking advantage of my protected left arrow. Yahoos run the red lights often enough that I can't always wait until the light is turning red again to finish my turn. And then here's this lady looking confused while sitting in the middle of the intersection, inching forward slower than molasses, when her light turns red and I get my green arrow. I honked, briefly, and managed to squeeze around her. Another car trying to turn left (same direction as Clueless) pulled forward and then honked, louder. Then the light went green for straight traffic, and I got to hear a few more honks before I made the highway ramp.

Seriously, there are some intersections around her where the police could easily make extra money for the PD if they staked out rush hour.

[Pagan]

Police around here should really enforce the "don't block the intersection" rules.

I especially hate it when I'm turning left and these cars are effectively keeping me from taking advantage of my protected left arrow.

Thank you! I was beginning to think that I was the only one that remembered that from driver's ed. And I had the same problem you did when I was going to work this morning! Oy.