To all transplants: You now live in Texas (Houston, Dallas: tax, living)

[sarahdsmom]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

I just consulted the Driver's Handbook (online) and it says that you must stop at a Yield sign if there's a car getting off the highway. It doesn't matter what lane you're on.

Maybe you're part of the problem?

This is one thing I hate about our roads. Yield does not mean stop! If it did then, at what point can you go because it seems like there are always car's coming off. You can slowdown and not stop still giving the person the right- of- way, and can go when you believe it's clear to do so. If that car coming off has a clear lane and space to go, I'm going! Why should I yield when there are 3 lanes on some of these roads. I'm seeing more and more Yield signs going away so maybe someone smart in TXDot has finally figured it out.

BTW, The book says: "Remember, in every situation, right-of-way is something to be given, not taken".

Definition of Yield (from the book) "This sign tells you that the road you are on joins with another road ahead. You should SLOW down or stop if necessary so that you can yield the right-of-way to vehicles on the other road." It does not mean stop!

[TexasNick]

Hi sarahdsmom,
Yes, I should've been more clear. There are some places where you have to stop at a Yield sign. For example, making a turn from under an overpass into a frontage road. You can't just slow down, you have to do a full stop.

That's why there are so many problems with this yield thing. Not everyone knows what to do and you can't blame them, however, many people do NEITHER--they just keep going and pretend that they dont' see you trying to get off the highway onto the front page road. Those are the ones you gotta watch out for.

[Bowie]

Originally Posted by Gennaver

Wait, wait, I found something.
Pasting:
HIGHWAYS: Chicago is unique (and confusing to out-of-towners) in its reliance on names,
rather than Interstate numbers, to identify expressways. Provide the first name of the honoree
and the Interstate number of each highway:
a) Kennedy Expressway: John F., I-90/94
b) Dan Ryan Expressway: Dan, I-94
c) Reagan: Ronald, I-88
d) Borman Expressway: Frank E., I-80/94
e) Kingery Expressway: Robert, I-80/94
f) Eisenhower Expressway: Dwight D., I-290
g) Stevenson Expressway: Adlai, I-55
h) Edens Expressway: William, I-94
i) Bishop Ford Freeway: Louis, I-94
[endpaste]
From: http://www.message-engineers.com/quiz-answers.pdf

I've always thought it would be interesting to confound the locals by referring to the highways here with their honorific names.

"Just take the Anderson Loop South past the Cleto Rodriguez Freeway to the Veteran's Memorial Highway East and get off at the third exit."

[majormadmax]

Three letters for you folks having problems getting around San Antonio...G P S!

I bought a Garmin Nuvi 350 a few months ago and it is perfect for finding the fastest and easiest way to get anywhere. Yesterday we used it to find the Old Yorkshire Tea Room in Schertz and the Bavarian Haus in Kirby. Actually, finding both was easy as they are almost on the same road (FM 78), but getting home was a snap as all I had to do is tap on the screen and the Nuvi took us home! I recommend the Nuvi as it has "text-to-speech (TTS)," which means it will (try to) pronounce the names. However, in San Antonio that sometimes can be quite entertaining!

Secondly, as much as I empathize for the low income folks who can't afford car insurance, someone always has to pay and in this case it means the rest of us! I should not have to elect to have "uninsured motorist coverage" on my policy because someone else cannot afford it. I know what it is like to live on a budget, but if you can't afford the insurance as required by law then you should not be driving on public roads.

Lastly, if you really want to sound like a local, Helotes is not pronounced "Hell-o-tez," it is pronounced "Lo-tez." And if you see some crazy kook driving around in a open blue Jeep with Christmas lights, wave because it's me. But if you don't have insurance, keep both hands on the steering wheel!

Cheers! M2

[firstclassflyer]

I've had the Garmin NUVI 350 for about a year now. Excellent choice: Garmin just sent me the free map update disc as well.
I travel extensively and it really comes in handy. You can also buy maps for Europe, Mexico etc.

I have plenty of insurance. (auto+ umbrella policy)

[TexasNick]

Originally Posted by firstclassflyer

I've had the Garmin NUVI 350 for about a year now. Excellent choice: Garmin just sent me the free map update disc as well.
I travel extensively and it really comes in handy. You can also buy maps for Europe, Mexico etc.

I have plenty of insurance. (auto+ umbrella policy)

Yep, Garmin here. Still have one I bought 3 years ago for $500 (ouch) and now you can get the same one for around $99. It is by far one of the best "must have" items ever. The problem is that I am becoming too reliant on it and am not learning the roads. It's like flying an airplane...you rely too much on the fancy navigation instruments and it can be trouble down the line when you have to do dead reckoning.

[Peachie]

To differentiate between the "Wurzbachs"...there is Harry Wurzbach, Wurzbach, and Wurzbach Parkway.

I think I got them all!

[Been There B4]

Originally Posted by Peachie

To differentiate between the "Wurzbachs"...there is Harry Wurzbach, Wurzbach, and Wurzbach Parkway.

I think I got them all!

Are you up on your "Militarys"?

They seem to go in all directions - W, NW, SE, SW, and are very confusing to a newcomer without a compass.

[majormadmax]

Originally Posted by sarahdsmom

Why should I yield when there are 3 lanes on some of these roads.

Because it is the law! It doesn't matter how many lanes are available, if the oncoming traffic has right-of-way then you are required by law to yield or stop if necessary to allow motorists with right-of-way to proceed unhindered!

As discussed, this is exceptionally bad in places such as the Bandera Road exit off of 1604. People on the access road ignore the yield sign and blow right past it, and cars with the right-of-way are put in a dangerous position because of this exact attitude. You may have to find out the hard way, but if there is an accident because you failed to yield, no matter how many lanes there are, you are liable.

Why are you so adverse to stopping if necessary? Why are you so against people having the right-of-way? Are you the same person that sits in the left lane of the road because they are doing the speed limit? That's against the law too!

M2

[TexasNick]

Not only is that a problem, major, but people who DO FOLLOW the rules get yelled at and honked at. In some cases, I've seen some ugly road rage. I think it's currently a "free-for-all" on these kinds of areas of the road.