The Pittsburgh Left (Liberty, Ellsworth: school, law, moving)

[hnsq]

I live right in the city, and when driving to work, certain intersections are simply miserable. I adjust my route as much as possible, but I am on 5th around Shadyside every morning/afternoon during rush hour. If someone hesitates, I will make my left. There is so much traffic you have to drive a little more agressive during rush hour or you are never going to get anywhere. If no one did the Pittsburgh Left, one, maybe two cars would get through an intersection every cycle of the lights. Can you imagine how much that would back up traffic? I turn off of 5th onto Negley every day and am extremely glad people do it there.

[Mighty_Pelican]

I was visiting Pittsburgh and someone in an unprotected left turn lane starting creeping up into the intersection even though the light was red. I was at the red light in the opposing direction to go straight. I saw that the other driver was attempting to "beat" the traffic going straight. Isn't that dangerous and illegal?

I also starting creeping forward and revved my engine up to 4,000 rpm putting me close to my vehicle's peak torque curve so I could floor it. When the light turned green the driver started to move but I floored it and the driver waiting to make an unprotected left turn gave me a middle finger. I have the right of way. You don't. Get over it.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Mighty_Pelican

I was visiting Pittsburgh and someone in an unprotected left turn lane starting creeping up into the intersection even though the light was red. I was at the red light in the opposing direction to go straight. I saw that the other driver was attempting to "beat" the traffic going straight. Isn't that dangerous and illegal?

I also starting creeping forward and revved my engine up to 4,000 rpm putting me close to my vehicle's peak torque curve so I could floor it. When the light turned green the driver started to move but I floored it and the driver waiting to make an unprotected left turn gave me a middle finger. I have the right of way. You don't. Get over it.

Nope, not illegal...and you choosing to not give 1 second and prohibit one vehicle from proceeding will just make a long line even longer. Funny how concerned people are with it, as it happens everywhere. I always give way to a left turn in that situation. Not a big deal.

[Pughnose]

Originally Posted by Mighty_Pelican

I was visiting Pittsburgh and someone in an unprotected left turn lane starting creeping up into the intersection even though the light was red. I was at the red light in the opposing direction to go straight. I saw that the other driver was attempting to "beat" the traffic going straight. Isn't that dangerous and illegal?

I also starting creeping forward and revved my engine up to 4,000 rpm putting me close to my vehicle's peak torque curve so I could floor it. When the light turned green the driver started to move but I floored it and the driver waiting to make an unprotected left turn gave me a middle finger. I have the right of way. You don't. Get over it.

Aggressive drivers make all of us safer, motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike, so thanks for that.

Puts me in mind of a set of old Burma-Shave advertising signs (ask your grandpa):

He was right, dead right

As he sped along

But he's just as dead

As if he were wrong

Burma-Shave

[gg]

Seems two selfish people met at a red light. One trying to cross the other's selfish path. Who cars about that old lady trying to cross the street! Lets rev those engines and be big heros and see who wins. It is what it is. Two idiots meet and everyone else pays. Just be careful out there if you are trying to walk or cycle with all these super aggressive people in weapons of mass destruction pounding their chests. Thank goodness the bumper of this thread got the jump and made an extra second of time to get to that next red light. Such a hero!

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by gg

Seems two selfish people met at a red light. One trying to cross the other's selfish path. Who cars about that old lady trying to cross the street! Lets rev those engines and be big heros and see who wins. It is what it is. Two idiots meet and everyone else pays. Just be careful out there if you are trying to walk or cycle with all these super aggressive people in weapons of mass destruction pounding their chests. Thank goodness the bumper of this thread got the jump and made an extra second of time to get to that next red light. Such a hero!

The only thing that happened was that no courtesy was given to someone who may have to wait multiple lights to make a left.

Who said anything about anyone crossing the street?

Are you saying people don't cross after the light turns, but only immediately after it turns green?

Should there be no left turns?

[gg]

Originally Posted by erieguy

The only thing that happened was that no courtesy was given to someone who may have to wait multiple lights to make a left.

Who said anything about anyone crossing the street?

Look, I realize this will be hard for you, but when the light changes for someone to go straight it also allows pedestrians to cross the street. If someone is trying to beat person going straight they are also going to cross a crosswalk when those people in it have the RIGHT OF WAY! Hello? Sometimes the pedestrians can go ahead of the light a little because there is no traffic at all, but some idiot will jump the light in front of someone crashing into people. Get it? The Pittsburgh Left is crap, BUT if there is no one around waiting and you are going to block traffic, I can understand doing it, but lets face it with people texting, walking, driving etc, the idea of jumping a light isn't a good idea anymore. Sure someone like me can do it, but most are clueless.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by gg

Look, I realize this will be hard for you, but when the light changes for someone to go straight it also allows pedestrians to cross the street. If someone is trying to beat person going straight they are also going to cross a crosswalk when those people in it have the RIGHT OF WAY! Hello? Sometimes the pedestrians can go ahead of the light a little because there is no traffic at all, but some idiot will jump the light in front of someone crashing into people. Get it? The Pittsburgh Left is crap, BUT if there is no one around waiting and you are going to block traffic, I can understand doing it, but lets face it with people texting, walking, driving etc, the idea of jumping a light isn't a good idea anymore. Sure someone like me can do it, but most are clueless.

Again, in this case, nobody said anything about anyone crossing.

Again, do people not cross after the light has changed?

Nobody is blocking traffic if given the courtesy.

Apparently you're the one that finds it hard to understand to turn, as the DMV sees no issue with it in Pa., and I would assume across the nation as it occurs nationwide.

I would suggest taking the bus or only crossing where there are crossing signals if it's such a big issue.

[shadowfax]

Originally Posted by Mighty_Pelican

I was visiting Pittsburgh and someone in an unprotected left turn lane starting creeping up into the intersection even though the light was red. I was at the red light in the opposing direction to go straight. I saw that the other driver was attempting to "beat" the traffic going straight. Isn't that dangerous and illegal?

I also starting creeping forward and revved my engine up to 4,000 rpm putting me close to my vehicle's peak torque curve so I could floor it. When the light turned green the driver started to move but I floored it and the driver waiting to make an unprotected left turn gave me a middle finger. I have the right of way. You don't. Get over it.

Oh. Was that you? Thanks ever so much. All of the cars stuck behind me who only wanted to go straight but were stuck waiting for me to make my left turn also thank you. I a really glad you were able to have your way. Would not want to hold you up there. That extra three seconds must have been very important to you.

Pittsburgh lefts could be largely eliminated if there were advance green left turn arrows anywhere there are left turns at a light.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by shadowfax

Oh. Was that you? Thanks ever so much. All of the cars stuck behind me who only wanted to go straight but were stuck waiting for me to make my left turn also thank you. I a really glad you were able to have your way. Would not want to hold you up there. That extra three seconds must have been very important to you.

Pittsburgh lefts could be largely eliminated if there were advance green left turn arrows anywhere there are left turns at a light.

Bingo.

Not giving someone the courtesy only causes bigger traffic issues...and cause for green arrows that will make oncoming traffic wait longer.