17th Street exit northbound (Atlanta: how much, buses, safety) - Georgia (GA) - City-Data Forum

MattCW · 05-09-2016, 08:21 PM

Is there ANYONE in this city that knows how to stay in their lane at this exit? Evey. Single. Time. I have exited off there this year, I'm in the right lane to go to Atlantic Station, and inevitably, most of the people in the left lane completely ignore the curved white-dashed line and try and force me over into the bus lane! Today I popped my shoulder a bit trying to steer away from one of these. Why is this concept so hard to grasp at this particular intersection? I see it a handful of times at other intersections scattered across the metro area like any other driving stupidity, but nothing nearly so consistent as this done at this intersection.

I also noticed that most people treat the bus lane on 17th as just another travel lane, particularly on the weekends, and the double white lines as a suggestion. I really wish A. they'd step up enforcement as this is an actual safety hazard. and B. they'd add some physical obstruction to the bus lane, particularly over the bridge.

P.S. don't just tell me to take MARTA, I've only ever been coming from or going to someplace with no MARTA service whatsoever, and yes, I mean within Atlanta.

primaltech · 05-09-2016, 08:52 PM

The weirdest/dumbest thing about that 17th street right hand bus lane, is that the buses don't even apparently seem to use it. Seems like every time I'm there, I see buses going along in the middle or left lane. Not sure why I keep seeing that.

Anyway, bus lanes aren't going to work in this town without some kind of physical barrier.

fieldm · 05-09-2016, 08:58 PM

Yeah that happens to me often. Why? Because people are idiots or maybe they get confused because the 2 lanes turn left onto 17th st which is 3 lanes. Even thought the right lane on 17th st is the bus lane the average person coming off 75/85 only see 2 lanes which turn to 3 lanes

ATLondoner · 05-10-2016, 06:35 AM

I've actually seen 3 or 4 people last year get pulled over by the cops for using the bus lane. Obviously that is only scratching the surface of how many people use it but it was good to see none the less.

CCATL · 05-10-2016, 06:51 AM

You're right, this is a consistent problem at that light. Happens to me every single time as well. The bus lane NEEDS a physical barrier. I get really mad every time I am driving over there and see cars treating the bus lane as a travel lane. It seems just like every other kind of lane meant for something other than cars, there is 0 enforcement in this city. The mayor keeps harping on transportation progress (bus lanes, bike lanes, etc.), but the cops don't enforce the laws even a little bit in these lanes.

alco89 · 05-10-2016, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCATL

there is 0 enforcement in this city. The mayor keeps harping on transportation progress (bus lanes, bike lanes, etc.), but the cops don't enforce the laws even a little bit in these lanes.

Did you not read the comment about yours? Apparently they do enforce it some, but obviously not enough.

There have been SEVERAL times when I'm almost hit because someone tries to force me into the bus lane. I wonder how much of this is just unfamiliarity with the area and with bus lanes in general. It's not like we have have a lot of them in the Metro Area.

Gulch · 05-10-2016, 07:36 AM

The entire 17th Street corridor needs to be remarked, with barrier-separated bus lanes.

cqholt · 05-10-2016, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gulch

The entire 17th Street corridor needs to be remarked, with barrier-separated bus lanes.

Then that takes away the flexibility of the bus to avoid issues in it's lane. Enforcement is lacking and giving out tickets will improve things.

CCATL · 05-10-2016, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alco89

Did you not read the comment about yours? Apparently they do enforce it some, but obviously not enough.

There have been SEVERAL times when I'm almost hit because someone tries to force me into the bus lane. I wonder how much of this is just unfamiliarity with the area and with bus lanes in general. It's not like we have have a lot of them in the Metro Area.

I did read it, and I'm saying that if every single time I am there I have seen people driving in the bus lane, and nobody being pulled over, then enforcement sucks. I mean really, if you're there 10 times, and you see somebody pulled over 1 or 2, you can't say that it isn't a problem. Reality is, I've been there WAY more than 10 times, and I have never seen anybody pulled over. EVER. There needs to be a barrier there, and there needs to be a ton more enforcement.

cqholt · 05-10-2016, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCATL

I did read it, and I'm saying that if every single time I am there I have seen people driving in the bus lane, and nobody being pulled over, then enforcement sucks. I mean really, if you're there 10 times, and you see somebody pulled over 1 or 2, you can't say that it isn't a problem. Reality is, I've been there WAY more than 10 times, and I have never seen anybody pulled over. EVER. There needs to be a barrier there, and there needs to be a ton more enforcement.

The bus lane is a right turn lane 50' from the intersections.