Traffic Lessons 101
I’ve noticed lately that drivers are becoming a little lax in proper driving skills; some people, dare I say, have subjected basic traffic protocol to personal interpretation. Now before somebody says, “I have the right to drive the way I like and if it’s right for me, then no one can say anything about it”, I’d like to state right up front that the actions I’m about to describe are not only rude and dangerous, but also, um, illegal.
When you arrive at a stop sign and intend to turn right, but across the street there is already a vehicle stopped that is signalling a left turn, they have the right-of-way. It’s not appropriate to whip out in front of them while giving them an outraged look.
When two lanes merge together, the person in the remaining lane has two options:
- if mostly ahead of the merging car, speed up and get out of the way; or
- if mostly behind the merging car, slow down and let the person in.
None of the following options are valid:
- seeing the signal from behind and speeding up so they don’t get into “your” lane;
- letting the person in while honking and finger-signalling your displeasure; or
- pretending you don’t see the car that is right next to you and speeding along until they run out of road and have to stop.
This is a flexible principle that can be applied to many situations such as highway on/off ramps, construction zones, people turning in traffic jams, etc.
Finally, though we take it as a basic American right to be able, at any time, to make a right turn on a red light, sometimes this action is prohibited. In these situations, along with not being allowed to turn right until your light is green, the following actions are also prohibited:
- pretending you don’t see the sign that says, “No right turn on red”;
- pulling up behind someone who is waiting for a green light and honking, finger-signalling, or yelling at them to make the turn already and get their fat car out of your way; or
- pulling around the driver in front of you to drive on the shoulder and get through the turn while the light is still red.
That’s all the time we have for lessons today. If I have forgotten anything, please let me know! Drive respectfully.
Published by angelawd on April 9th, 2008 tagged Just Sayin'
April 9th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
This post made me laugh out loud AND get angry. I’ve had almost all of these things happen to me lately. I have even had the person pull around me at a No Turn On Red intersection to turn! People are amazing … and growing more inconsiderate every day!
April 9th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Oh my, I could write parts 2-152 to this post. Just a tiny sampling of my peeves: turning on a turn signal as you are making your turn; I’m a pedestrian, not causing traffic or pollution, and legally in the crosswalk and you swerve around me as if I’m in the way, and solo drivers in the high occupancy lane at rush hour with their signal on as if they’re trying to get over when they aren’t.
April 10th, 2008 at 2:26 am
Oh! I am so there! You are so hitting on my pet peeves! And people do not know what Yield means! Oh I could go on and on and on!!!!!
April 10th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Wow, I hit a nerve with this one!
@Pamela, we don’t have carpool lanes here - I would never have thought people would pretend they’re trying to get out of them with a turn signal!
@Josie, the same thing has happened to me.
@Ello, the yield thing bothers me, too.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Hi I just stumbled into your blog via dooce…might I also add that if you reach an unmarked intersection you must then follow the old “right of way” rule. If you reach said intersection at the same time as one or more other cars, you must yield to the person to the right of you.
Love the blog!
April 10th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Okay okay, I’m sorry, pshhh! I couldn’t just let you come into my lane without giving you the “you’re number one!” signal! Kidding. I don’t do that….I’ll just speed up so I can go by and wave hello. (hee!)
April 10th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
@Kathy, glad to meet you! Stop by anytime. Yes, you’ve got the rules down. What are the chances that any lawbreakers are reading and learning from us?
@Stacey, you crazy girl! I gave you the “you’re number one!” salute first!
April 11th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I’d like to add: Upon approaching an intersection with your RIGHT turn signal on, and traveling in the RIGHT hand lane, it is NOT appropriate to suddenly decide that you WANT TO TURN LEFT 5′ before the corner, thus having to cross 3 lanes of traffic and careen through said intersection nearly hitting the innocent old blonde lady who just wanted to perform her very legal right-turn-on-red and thought it was safe since the two of you were the ONLY cars on the road at the time and YOU SAID YOU WERE TURNING RIGHT!!
Hubby says I’M the one who was not being careful here because I was foolish enough to actually BELIEVE someone’s signal. I hate when he’s (even almost) right!
And, yes, you DID hit a nerve! LOL!