T intersections: why don't MA drivers follow the right of way??

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by AtkinsonDan

Predictability helps reduce the potential for accidents. Therefore haphazard instances of courtesy should be strongly discouraged when it violates the established right of way policies that are part of the rules of the road. DO NOT encourage drivers to jump out of side streets.

You're adding "haphazard" as a qualifier in this discussion where it didn't exist as far as I have seen, although I haven't scrolled up very far. If you're saying that someone shouldn't slam on their brakes out of the blue on the Jamaicaway to let someone out of a side street, we agree. That's not the same as someone on Dot Ave or another 2 lane secondary road in relatively slow moving traffic (which shouldn't be exceeding 30 MPH in a densely populated district nor 25 citywide in Boston). It obviously depends on the situation. Either way, focus should be on those acting illegally or not devoting full attention to their responsibility of driving the vehicle. If you go around someone illegally and hit a car exiting a driveway or parking lot it's generally your fault and nobody else's. You better hope it isn't a pedestrian crossing and not a car.