Letter to San Antonio Drivers (Mustang: lawyers, costs, legally)

[Sarah-Jane-Again]

I hear ya. I've noticed so many differences over here compared to England/Britain, and to be honest, most of them revolve around the roads and the drivers on them. Everyone seems to be in a hurry, no matter what speed everyone else is doing, there's always some prick in a Hummer trying to overtake, weaving in and out of lanes and being a general nuisance. But I agree about the things the previous poster wrote about - why on earth is it not illegal to use your cellphone while driving over here?? Don't the police realise just how many accidents have been caused by someone having a nice old chat on the phone and not paying attention to the road?
Also, I was gobsmacked at how you can legally ride a motorcycle without a crash helmet here too. The theory in Britain (where you have to wear a helmet by law) is that even if the motorcyclist doesn't feel he/she needs a helmet, he/she needs to consider other motorists in the event of an accident. The Brits' arguement is; it's bad enough witnessing an accident involving a motorbike where the driver's wearing a crash helmet, but imagine how much more devastating it would be if he wasn't - no one wants someone's brains smeared over their windscreen for the kids to see, do they?
MOT's too... they're what keep British cars roadworthy. Ok, so not everyone gets them done (which is illegal) but for the majority of Brits, having a yearly M.O.T (Ministry of Transport Test) helps keep problems at bay and can find any arrising problem before it causes car trouble and potential accidents.

I could go on forever about the driving over here, but I don't want to come across as anti-American or anything like that because, don't get me wrong, I love this place - just not it's drivers! And I agree with someone else's comments about the policing here being more about greedy fat-cats than actual crime-prevention. Regardless of what ANYone says, the police DO have a quota to meet here, and they will pull you over and ticket you over the slightest thing. My husband couldn't believe how the police handle road traffic accidents in the UK either.... basically, if you have a small fender-bender with someone, it is up to you and that person to exchange insurance details and then be on your way. You don't call the police for something as trivial as that, and the Uk polices' attitude is that we're mature enough to sort the small things out ourselves and not have to hassle the police with petty matters that could prevent them from working on REAL crime issues.

Anyway, that's my little rant for the day! Heeheeh

[rd2007]

haven't even been here a year and already have a flawless view on the drivers. You hit every major point very well, especially the cell phone talking/texting while driving. This is a subject that I just can't comprehend. Why would anyone even attempt to text while driving? That should be an immediate lifetime suspension and I would be in favor of a MUCH worse punishment.. driving and talking on the phone just makes the worst drivers in the world even worse. You'd think it would be impossible, but the cell phone makes them even more dangerous. They should put a sign on every road leading here welcoming visitors and warning that 95% of all vehicles have a driver that is either incompetent, drunk, on the phone, texting, will do something stupid as soon as you approach them, or all of the above.
I think MMM brought up a couple good points also. The driving test should be MUCH harder and you can fail the parallel and still get your license; both of my kids did. It would be nice if a realism test was given also. Anyone can follow the rules for about 10 minutes (that's all it lasts here for some reason), but how many people can actually drive? Test them for a couple hours spread out over three days and throw some common sense in. That is exactly what my driving test was in Michigan and you also didn't know if the car was going to be a stick or automatic. The teacher told us he was more interested in how we drove than whether or not we creeped up above the speed limit or sorta didn't quite stop for a stop sign. Our goal was to be driving with traffic and not stick out like a drivers training car.. Police should also enforce common sense traffic. Pull over the idiots in the left lane, the yield sign stoppers, and those going 10 MPH below the speed limit. They're the dangerous ones.
they should open their eyes for drunks too. It's not hard at all to spot them. I'll even volunteer some time to be a drunk spotter.

[svg210]

Originally Posted by rd2007

I had someone flip me off the other day because they were in the lane that ends on Potranco once you pass over 1604. The person lived in Westcreek, so I'm sure they were aware of the lane ending, but I guess they thought it was my job to get out of their way. They were wrong and I never let anyone in there. I don't know why people use that lane and it's more for people making a right turn off 1604. The only time I'll use it is if I can be first at the light and I know I can beat the car to the left of me, otherwise I'll be in the left lane not letting you in front of me. word to the wise..

I use that lane alot, but you can tell when its be cause i haul ass off the line and I dont merge till the lane ends sometiems if the traffic crowds around I just take the shoulder all the way. but seriously I've noticed that line always starts at roussou st. and honestly who in their right mind is going to get a mile long line when you can take the right lane and merge. if people knew how to merge (one car per side) there would be less traffic and pileups.

Try hopping onto loop 1604 or 151 from culebra in the morning. How stupid can these people get? Honestly cars will stop right on the road, and wait till some nice guy gives them a chance. They are on a dam freeway but they think somebody somehow will manage to go from 60mph and stop on a dime? ha ha ha.

[rd2007]

guess that depends on where you're from. Where I'm from, if you get in a lane that ends and don't haul a$$ to beat the person next to you, have a nice wait because nobody is going to let you in. It keeps the weak from getting on the roads and I guess they all eventually die.

[the_dimwit]

I have driven in some of the most "funnest" cities in the country (Boston, NYC, LA, DC) and think San Antonio is just plain looney when it comes to traffic. This city has more freeways than just about any place I've ever seen and yet there are more needless traffic slowdowns than I would have ever thought.

As an example, I drive from Alamo Ranch to Downtown via 151 every morning. Every morning, I can count on the fact that a healthy slowdown will occur on the bridge just before the 410 exit. Why? Near as I can tell, there are two reasons: 1) Some folks seem to be intimidated by the bridge (not sure why) and begin tapping their brakes once they get over "water;" 2) The exit lane for 410 is crowded and people can't seem to figure out how to get over there in time. I can understand the exit traffic--it's commonplace in major cities. The bridge slowdown is just plain d-u-m-b.

For good measure, I'll also throw in a rant about people who think they are entitled to become traffic speed enforcers by driving in the left lane at a pace just below the speed limit--or, in some cases, a good 10 miles below the limit. Those who do it and aren't trying to force everyone into their little "box" are driving at a slow pace because their 1992 Geo Metro with red electrical tape for brake lights and custom windows (read: trash bags with duct tape) aren't road rockets anymore.

MOVE OVER. PLEASE.

/Rant

--Dim

[TXtrkgrl]

Originally Posted by the_dimwit

As an example, I drive from Alamo Ranch to Downtown via 151 every morning. Every morning, I can count on the fact that a healthy slowdown will occur on the bridge just before the 410 exit. Why? Near as I can tell, there are two reasons: 1) Some folks seem to be intimidated by the bridge (not sure why) and begin tapping their brakes once they get over "water;" 2) The exit lane for 410 is crowded and people can't seem to figure out how to get over there in time. I can understand the exit traffic--it's commonplace in major cities. The bridge slowdown is just plain d-u-m-b.

I can't understand this either. I was at this spot yesterday and there was a mini van in front of me and there were at least 15 car lengths to the car in front of them and they were on their brakes (in the far left lane)!!!
Besides the idiots, I believe a lot of the reason for the traffic jam there is the engineering of the road. People are trying to exit to 410 while others are trying to get on 151 from Potranco.
This is a bad spot but I have just learned to leave my house about 15 minutes earlier and that seems to help.

[mamatotex97]

Originally Posted by rd2007

I had someone flip me off the other day because they were in the lane that ends on Potranco once you pass over 1604. The person lived in Westcreek, so I'm sure they were aware of the lane ending, but I guess they thought it was my job to get out of their way. They were wrong and I never let anyone in there. I don't know why people use that lane and it's more for people making a right turn off 1604. The only time I'll use it is if I can be first at the light and I know I can beat the car to the left of me, otherwise I'll be in the left lane not letting you in front of me. word to the wise..

I can tell you that I live in Caracoal creek just past that lane. I use it and here is why: before the light there are the two lanes on Potranco, if everyone sits in that left lane you have traffic backed up that's not necessary. I don't haul my tail to get in, but I do use the blinker and merge at a normal speed.
Another problem I have seen there though is I try to actually get on the shoulder in that section by Madisons Market. Since I turn right into that subdivision and the shoulder is really as wide as a lane, it keeps someone from sitting there longer behind me and again backing up traffic. There are many though who see me in the shoulder and flip out and just get over and sit in front of me, not realizing - even though I have my blinker on - that I'm turning right and I'm not there to cut in front of them after the light. I wish they would just make that a right turn lane.

[cr1039]

Originally Posted by parkk

I was north bound on I-35 just north of 1604 and needed to get into the right lane from the center lane, after I put my turn signal on the car to my right and behind floored it to keep me from getting in. Then the car in from of him had to slow down so the car that blocked me rear-ended him! Unbelievable!

I guess I will never understand that way of thinking / driving?

That is so nutty! I have not had that happen to me here, Dallas though!

So here is my theory on San Antonio drivers, I think that that are "not so good" becuase of the loops in the city. You see, they dont get a lot of "interstate" experience. Therefore, all of the loop and inner city driving just breeds the same kind of drivers over and over.

Unlike people who live in say, Dallas, where there are many highways that run through the city (75, 35, 30, 45) They get experience with merging, big rigs, moving out of the right lane.

That is just my theory and observation

[rd2007]

Originally Posted by mamatotex97

I can tell you that I live in Caracoal creek just past that lane. I use it and here is why: before the light there are the two lanes on Potranco, if everyone sits in that left lane you have traffic backed up that's not necessary. I don't haul my tail to get in, but I do use the blinker and merge at a normal speed.
Another problem I have seen there though is I try to actually get on the shoulder in that section by Madisons Market. Since I turn right into that subdivision and the shoulder is really as wide as a lane, it keeps someone from sitting there longer behind me and again backing up traffic. There are many though who see me in the shoulder and flip out and just get over and sit in front of me, not realizing - even though I have my blinker on - that I'm turning right and I'm not there to cut in front of them after the light. I wish they would just make that a right turn lane.

I still think they need to get rid of that lane. It does absolutely nothing to help traffic and probably make it worse because people in the right lane are expecting the left lane people to slow down and let them in.
However, I would rather see them keep it two lanes until at least Grossenbacher (or however you spell that). It was completely irresponsible of the builders to do all that development out here and not improve the roads. It was also irresponsible of the county to allow the development without forcing improvements.
I do agree with you on people that block right turns. There are many places (Potranco/151 and Potranco/Military to name two) where about 95% of all cars in the right lane turn right. It is extremely rude of people to block that and it also adds to the congestion. I would be willing to bet that pure stupidity and ignorance is the cause of at least 75% of the congestion in this city.

[smitty12]

Originally Posted by Sarah-Jane-Again

I hear ya. I've noticed so many differences over here compared to England/Britain, and to be honest, most of them revolve around the roads and the drivers on them. Everyone seems to be in a hurry, no matter what speed everyone else is doing, there's always some prick in a Hummer trying to overtake, weaving in and out of lanes and being a general nuisance. But I agree about the things the previous poster wrote about - why on earth is it not illegal to use your cellphone while driving over here?? Don't the police realise just how many accidents have been caused by someone having a nice old chat on the phone and not paying attention to the road?

The police do realize this, but we don't let the police create the law. They can only enforce laws on the books. This is a good thing, I would not want to live somewhere were police could make up a law anytime they perceived something to be unsafe.