rules of the road
I've recently noticed a lot of drivers around here with bad driving habits. Perhaps this isn't stuff that they explicitly teach you in driving school, but it's just common courtesy and sense.
To all the drivers out there with annoying driving habits:
- If you have the right of way, take it. If I'm waiting to turn left from a side road onto a main road, and you are turning left from the main road onto the side road, don't stop and wave for me to go just because I've been waiting longer.
- Keep up with the speed limit. Yesterday I found myself behind traffic going 45 in a 70 zone.
- If you are going straight through a light and have a choice of two lanes, don't pick the rightmost one that blocks people behind you from turning right while the light is red. Especially with the long lights around here.
- If I'm waiting to turn right, and you are approaching from the left intending to turn out of the lane I'm turning into, use your signal so I know what your intentions are.
- If you are ahead of me and intend to change lanes into a turn lane, don't slow down too much while you're still in front of me unless there isn't enough room to do it in the turn lane.
Thank you for your attention.
If I'm waiting to turn right, and you are approaching from the left intending to turn out of the lane I'm turning into, use your signal so I know what your intentions are.
I disagree. Any time you make a lane charge or a turn, if there is any traffic visible anywhere around you, use your signal. Informing others of your intentions can help avoid accidents. If they cut you off because you used your signal, you don't want to be in front of them anyway - they'd likely tailgate you, and therefore be more of a hazard.
I disagree. Any time you make a lane charge or a turn, if there is any traffic visible anywhere around you, use your signal. Informing others of your intentions can help avoid accidents. If they cut you off because you used your signal, you don't want to be in front of them anyway - they'd likely tailgate you, and therefore be more of a hazard.
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ghewgill
2004-05-25T18:04:10Z
I don't see what part you disagree with. I'm talking about watching somebody approach from the left and not having any idea what they're going to do until the last minute when they turn right. This can of course be generalized to "always use your signal". Of course I have my signal on while waiting to turn right.
equiraptor
2004-05-25T18:08:34Z
Mostly, I just wanted to disagree with something. I've been in quite a contrary mood lately. :) And I disagreed with the implication that that's one of the few times when it's really necessary.
Maybe I should eat lunch...
Maybe I should eat lunch...
ghewgill
2004-05-25T18:14:09Z
I wasn't implying that at all. I was instead complaining about people who don't use their signal when intending to turn, particularly in that situation.
Go eat lunch!
Go eat lunch!
equiraptor
2004-05-25T18:19:42Z
I ate all my ravioli and I'm still hungry. :(
leroy_brown242
2004-05-25T18:54:29Z
If you are ahead of me and intend to change lanes into a turn lane, don't slow down too much while you're still in front of me unless there isn't enough room to do it in the turn lane.
Amen, brother, amen.
Not many things piss me off on the road like people who use the road to slow down instead of the turn lane.
Fuck off you shitty drivers, fuck right off!
Amen, brother, amen.
Not many things piss me off on the road like people who use the road to slow down instead of the turn lane.
Fuck off you shitty drivers, fuck right off!
catherine81
2004-05-25T19:23:15Z
speaking as someone who rarely uses their blinker...bite me, ya whiners...
:)
however, heres another...if you are going less than 5-10 miles over the speedlimit...STAY OUT OF THE FAR LEFT LANE!!!! also, if you are in the left lane and i come up behind you going faster, move over.
:)
however, heres another...if you are going less than 5-10 miles over the speedlimit...STAY OUT OF THE FAR LEFT LANE!!!! also, if you are in the left lane and i come up behind you going faster, move over.
texaspatsfan
2004-05-25T19:27:12Z
I disagree. If I'm speeding AND passing, I'm staying. You can wait. I was there first.
dbaker
2004-05-25T19:56:50Z
haven't done much high speed driving outside the US, specifically germany, have you?
if you're "passing" at 90 and there's a car behind you coming up at twice your speed, you'd probably move over if you want to see the sun rise again.
if you're "passing" at 90 and there's a car behind you coming up at twice your speed, you'd probably move over if you want to see the sun rise again.
texaspatsfan
2004-05-25T20:23:42Z
Ha. Indeed. Perhaps I specified I was speaking only within the US?
dbaker
2004-05-25T20:45:21Z
the same circumstance can occur on this side of the pond
bumperman
2004-05-26T22:20:29Z
That totally happened to me one day. I got the hell out of the way.texaspatsfan
2004-05-26T22:31:49Z
I find that if there is a jackass going that fast coming up behind you while you're passing, not only do they ride your ass, but they don't give you a chance to move over without cutting off the person you're passing. Which I won't do.
I'll let those people go around me so I'm not hit while trying to get out of their way. Then I'll move over.
I'll let those people go around me so I'm not hit while trying to get out of their way. Then I'll move over.
catherine81
2004-05-27T00:41:42Z
i dont want to cause the person going slower in front of me to get into an accident, so if they cant get over safely, i back off. its just if they can safely get over and dont that i get mad.
equiraptor
2004-05-25T20:21:25Z
If you are actively passing the vehicle to the right, go ahead, finish your pass, and move over. However, turn on your blinker, so I know you're going to move over, and do it promptly, please. Don't stay in the left lane when there's a quarter mile of empty middle lane and I obviously want to go faster than you.
texaspatsfan
2004-05-25T20:23:19Z
Agreed.
leroy_brown242
2004-05-25T20:25:39Z
How about stay out of the far left lane . . . period!
The far left lane is a passing lane, go over there to pass, and get your ass back int he right lane.
This obviously doesn't really apply to heavy traffic times and such. But I can't stand having to pass someone on the right because they are going 55 in a 65 in the far left lane.
The far left lane is a passing lane, go over there to pass, and get your ass back int he right lane.
This obviously doesn't really apply to heavy traffic times and such. But I can't stand having to pass someone on the right because they are going 55 in a 65 in the far left lane.
cetan
2004-05-25T20:56:00Z
The far left lane is a passing lane, go over there to pass, and get your ass back int he right lane.
This only recently became law in Illinois.
Prior to that there was nothing illegal about hanging about in the left lane all day long if you wanted. It wasn't (and isn't) popular, but it wasn't illegal.
This only recently became law in Illinois.
Prior to that there was nothing illegal about hanging about in the left lane all day long if you wanted. It wasn't (and isn't) popular, but it wasn't illegal.
_fool
2004-05-25T22:08:09Z
i doubt that it'd go far in a court, unless they are seriously driving under the speed limit in the left lane--if you took it up with a cop he'd probably try to ticket you for going too fast, non? i enjoy the places in colorado that specify a minimum speed in the left lane but it's typically 15-20mph under the limit (75 there) so it's basically useless.
i've always wanted to steal one of those "left lane is for passing only" signs to have in my car to raise thru the sunroof at recalcitrant left-laners.
but folks, texas is about the worst place in the US (i've driven thru ~30 states) for left-lane sloth. everywhere else is better. why does it have to be so HUGE? (literally i notice a massive difference the moment i cross into oklahoma or new mexico, tho louisiana tends to be a little less pronounced...)
i've always wanted to steal one of those "left lane is for passing only" signs to have in my car to raise thru the sunroof at recalcitrant left-laners.
but folks, texas is about the worst place in the US (i've driven thru ~30 states) for left-lane sloth. everywhere else is better. why does it have to be so HUGE? (literally i notice a massive difference the moment i cross into oklahoma or new mexico, tho louisiana tends to be a little less pronounced...)
catherine81
2004-05-26T18:18:48Z
if im going 85-90, im pretty much passin everyone...
equiraptor
2004-05-25T21:23:58Z
speaking as someone who rarely uses their blinker...bite me, ya whiners...
Maybe I'll just run you over
Wait, I'm in the smaller car...
Wait, I'm in the smaller car...
(anonymous)
2004-05-28T01:57:09Z
2004-05-28T01:57:09Z
Hey Texans, pay attention out there!
I find Texans some of the most polite, sharing, "always willing to let you in" drivers (compared to CA, FL, NJ, NY, PA), but also some of the most inattentive. In the last year I've seen over 4 cars absent mindedly blow through red lights (most recently at Jollyville Rd. and Oak Knoll in Austin). Now I'm in the habit of looking both ways, even though I have the green!
I find Texans some of the most polite, sharing, "always willing to let you in" drivers (compared to CA, FL, NJ, NY, PA), but also some of the most inattentive. In the last year I've seen over 4 cars absent mindedly blow through red lights (most recently at Jollyville Rd. and Oak Knoll in Austin). Now I'm in the habit of looking both ways, even though I have the green!
texaspatsfan
2004-05-28T02:27:24Z
Wow! I wanna know where you're driving. I have found in Austin that NO ONE lets you in, and in fact, speeds up SO YOU CAN'T GET IN.
(anonymous)
2004-06-02T13:43:15Z
2004-06-02T13:43:15Z
You're losing it, dude.
2004-05-25T17:59:24Z