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Thanks to everyone for the comments so far! Keep 'em coming!! I'm loving this discussion. Anyone else have any experiences to share?
I've seen multiple people lately who don't know what the "left turn yield on green" lights mean. Once a woman turned left without yielding right in front of me (I was going straight through the intersection) and I had to slam on my brakes. Several times I've sat behind people in the left turn lanes who don't turn when the green arrow is illuminated if the light is red.
A few weeks ago I was turning left at a stop sign near a light that gets backed up. There are multiple large signs posted instructing drivers waiting for the light to not block the intersection. An elderly man pulled right into the middle of the intersection and stopped while waiting for the light. Of course this is the one time during the light's cycle I could have turned so I had to wait for 5 more minutes. He had this weird smile on his face and seemed completely oblivious.
I've seen multiple people lately who don't know what the "left turn yield on green" lights mean. Once a woman turned left without yielding right in front of me (I was going straight through the intersection) and I had to slam on my brakes. Several times I've sat behind people in the left turn lanes who don't turn when the green arrow is illuminated if the light is red.
I never try to drive straight through the intersection when I know the people turning left have a green light. I always pause just to see if they just make a left without paying attention. It happens fairly often. People really do not know or care that they should be yielding. Some people also don't understand that, while turning left, they need to yield to people turning right on the other side on a green. I have had to sit at a green light and wait for them to turn before.
All in all, it doesn't make me hate driving. I live in California and there are many idiot drivers, and driving in LA is definitely a test of skill. I would still rather drive than not. I feel more comfortable when I am in control.
I never try to drive straight through the intersection when I know the people turning left have a green light. I always pause just to see if they just make a left without paying attention. It happens fairly often. People really do not know or care that they should be yielding. Some people also don't understand that, while turning left, they need to yield to people turning right on the other side on a green. I have had to sit at a green light and wait for them to turn before.
All in all, it doesn't make me hate driving. I live in California and there are many idiot drivers, and driving in LA is definitely a test of skill. I would still rather drive than not. I feel more comfortable when I am in control.
Yes. I pause, as well. Better to be safe than assume people making a left will yield. I do feel sorry for you guys in California. My sister lived there a while so I witnessed quite a bit of craziness. My hat's off to you, though, for being able to drive in that state!!
I've recently read an article that stated "if you're over 45, the population has doubled in your lifetime". Looking this up seems to confirm it (or close to it) since 1965.
I believe we're seeing a lot more cars than we've ever seen before, and people get crazy when it's crowded (busy restaraunts, subways, sporting events, long lines, whatever). I know many of the "empty" midwest highways I used to drive are now exhausting exercises in resetting the cruise and passing slow semis without being run-down (getting in the left lane for a microsecond seems to attract crazed BMW and HUGE pickup drivers with rage-O-vision). Going the speed limit saves gallons of gas (as expensive per gallon as milk), but don't you dare try it.
I have become terrified of driving every since I moved to my new place 7 miles south of town. The road I now have to take is heavily used by those big semi's and while most are very courteous drivers, there's an unfortunate minority who drive like bats out of hell and try to crawl up your tail pipe if you're "only" going the posted speed of 65mph. Since this is a rural area, there are no turn lanes to use when exiting off the highway. You just see a little sign in the distance for County Road Whatever and at 65mph if you blink, you've missed your turn. I don't know how many times I've had a huge rig right on top of me in my rear view and have had to start breaking for my turn, wondering if this is the time I'll finally get rear ended.
If this weren't bad enough, just a few miles past my turn there is a Native American Rez and accompanying casino. It is worth your life to drive that stretch between town and the Rez on weekends. I’ve had on-coming drunks in a hurry to reach the graveyard attempt to take me along with them when they suddenly decide to weave over to my lane or overtake me driving at least 90mph right into the path of a semi also driving 90mph himself. I kid you not, this highway used to be called Route 666, and never was a name more deserved. Unfortunately, some folks objected and the road is now a boring sounding Route 491. They should have kept the 666 to let people know what they’re in for.
I have become terrified of driving every since I moved to my new place 7 miles south of town. The road I now have to take is heavily used by those big semi's and while most are very courteous drivers, there's an unfortunate minority who drive like bats out of hell and try to crawl up your tail pipe if you're "only" going the posted speed of 65mph. Since this is a rural area, there are no turn lanes to use when exiting off the highway. You just see a little sign in the distance for County Road Whatever and at 65mph if you blink, you've missed your turn. I don't know how many times I've had a huge rig right on top of me in my rear view and have had to start breaking for my turn, wondering if this is the time I'll finally get rear ended.
If this weren't bad enough, just a few miles past my turn there is a Native American Rez and accompanying casino. It is worth your life to drive that stretch between town and the Rez on weekends. I’ve had on-coming drunks in a hurry to reach the graveyard attempt to take me along with them when they suddenly decide to weave over to my lane or overtake me driving at least 90mph right into the path of a semi also driving 90mph himself. I kid you not, this highway used to be called Route 666, and never was a name more deserved. Unfortunately, some folks objected and the road is now a boring sounding Route 491. They should have kept the 666 to let people know what they’re in for.
I'm sorry. Have to rep ya for this post Best of luck and be careful.
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Best of luck and be careful.
