I used to always pull forward into the intersection in preparation of a left turn but unless I can clearly tell that there's going to be a break in traffic allowing me to make it, I don't do it anymore Too many people are running yellow lights and I don't want to be sitting out there blocking traffic in case I can't get across safely. Also, sometimes the yellow lights are not coordinated on both sides of the intersection. Just because it's yellow on my side, that does not mean it's yellow on the other side. Some intersections are just chaos. Factor in drivers who are texting and distracted, too. The way we were taught to drive 20-40 years ago worked well then but doesn't necessarily mean it still applies today. We have to adapt to changes in how other people drive.

I understand the hesitation to enter an intersection when waiting to make a left hand turn. People can get nervous about whether or not they will be able to complete the turn while the light is green. However, you may complete your turn when the light turns yellow and even red, in order to exit the intersection.

This is assuming you enter the intersection when the light is green. So, even if there are people in oncoming traffic shooting through yellow and red lights, int the opposite direction, that's not your problem. You are allowed to complete your turn.

I say err on the side of moving traffic along, because those left turn lanes aren't that long, and with heavy traffic, it will back up, cars will be overflowing into the straight lanes and traffic will be blocked if people don't take the initiative at the head of the line.

That, imo, is far more dangerous.

Passing on right is legal in Ohio if lanes support two or more cars and obeying the speed limit.

Most bad driving behavior is caused by the selfish importance of "me".

There is a bigger push in our state to not "block the box" by going into the intersection when traffic ahead keeps you in the intersection. You are supposed to wait until you can clear the intersection before proceeding. Not everyone does tho.

Those who think I should slow down and let them in just because they have their blinker on even when there's no one behind me. Moving into the lane I'm in even when I've only left a car length between me and the car in front of me. Now, I get to stomp my brakes again. Just because you WANT in, doesn't mean I have to LET you in. It's not that I'm not courteous. It's just that I don't like arrogant Aholes. Every afternoon on my way home from work, the freeway comes to a halt at certain on ramps. I let people zipper in, but I won't put on my brakes to let people in. Get up to speed people!!!!!!

watchmelol... left turns!!! You're so right! Remember when Dad was teaching me to drive... you had to inch out into intersection till you were almost under the traffic light, so you could turn when it was clear. Otherwise,YOU would end up being the ONLY person to get thru on that light cycle... thus pissing a LOT of people off!

Kathleen44... on 4-way stops. Very few people know HOW they're supposed to act there. Luckily, they're usually on little back roads without lots of traffic. I do believe the "rule" is, if you have someone to YOUR right (going around the 4 points), THEY have the right of way before you?!? Most times, it just ends up being a lot of (friendly/pleasant) arm waving?!?

Not only is "blocking the box" a big no-no, but pulling up and stopping in the pedestrian cross-walk. That'll get you ticketed toot sweet! We have many traffic cameras set up to catch those walk blockers.

watchmelol

People don't know how to make left turns at a green light without an arrow anymore. Move into the intersection so you can complete your turn when it's clear.

That's how I was taught to do it in driver's ed back in the day, but I've heard the police will ticket people left there when the light turns red. I don't know anymore.

adellabedella... actually was pulled over YEARS ago for doing just that. I had inched out into intersection, but was behind a truck, so couldn't see. When light turned yellow, had to wait till truck made its turn before making mine... by then on red. Guess cop wasn't paying attention, cuz let me go without even a "warning" after I explained why I went thru a "red light".

One thing I will never do again is follow a tall vehicle/truck into an intersection when I can't see the light. I got ticketed because I slowly crawled behind a truck, through an intersection. The truck got through on yellow, and I was going through on red just behind him.

Of course, a cop was right there to pull me over! Now, if I can see the light, I will judge whether or not to try to get through an intersection. If my sight of the light is blocked, tough shitski--I'm not crossing into the intersection.

Once bitten, twice shy.

DH has a name for those 'me' drivers. They are The Entitled. They needn't stop at stop signs. They needn't yield anywhere. They hold *vital* phone conversations in heavy traffic. They needn't stop *behind* the line at a light. They don't recognize that there is anyone else ON *their* road unless you are *in their way*. They're so 'special'. The devil take the rest of us.

The other thing about the left hand turn intersection is, do not pull so far forward that you can't see the light. That's how I was hit. The guy had a green arrow and then the arrow went out, but he was so far under the light he couldn't see it. So he steps on it to make the left and into the front of my car as I had a green light coming the other way and was going straight.

Annie Deighnaugh

The other thing about the left hand turn intersection is, do not pull so far forward that you can't see the light.

****

Jinx, Annie. Well, close enough!

Sight of the light is very crucial.

I'm seeing a number of you have posted complaints about people on their phones, talking or texting as they drive. Here in Canada, (beginning back in 2003) using a hand held cell phone while driving, is illegal in every province. Drivers will be fined up to $1,200 here for doing that and receive 3 to 5 demerits points on their license. An accumulation of 9 points means your license is revoked for at least 2 months.

Canadians are also fined and subject to getting demerit points if we are ticketed for a driving infraction while travelling outside our home province, or in the United States. Because Canada followed suit with America's 'Drivers Licence Compact,' we have a 'Reciprocal Agreement' between our two countries, meaning drivers from Canada and 41 States will be fined with the corresponding traffic violation they'd receive back home, when ticketed in the other's country.

http://www.yorkregion.com/shopping-story/5791119-legal-matters-you-can-t-escape-a-traffic-violations-even-in-the-u-s-/

If only it was enforced, Pickyshopper. I see people texting all the time.

And for a left turn, don't stay so far back (like at the crosswalk) and fail to enter the intersection such that when the light turns red, only your car can finish the turn without waiting for the next green cycle.

Texting and driving is a ticketable offense in California but it's not very stringently enforced.

Passing on the right IS legal, so long as the passing car is driving in a lane on the road and not on the shoulder or an exit only or emergency lane.

Let's not forget the driver for whom the yellow light signals, "Speed UP!"

We're eliminating dangerous all way stop intersections in our county with Roundabouts.

I passed through these two today on my way home from Michigan.

Roundabout

I lost a very good friend who was sitting in the intersection waiting to turn left. He had the right of way, yet a car ran a light and plowed right into the driver's side of his car, killing him instantly. I don't care if I piss off people - I'm not pulling into the intersection when waiting to turn left.

Sephia

A red light runner can hit anyone at anytime. It's sad that you lost your friend that way but by your logic everyone would have to stop at every green light even when going straight through.

No, watchmelol, it's not my "logic." I'm speaking about me personally. Not everyone needs to stop at every green light even when going straight. People can do what they want, as long as it's legal. I just said what I'm going, or not going to do, which is not going to enter the intersection.

We have several local highways which have a couple of miles of straight flatness followed by a few miles of curves and hills, then several more straight miles, then more hills, etc. Invariably I will get behind Mr. Pokey-Pants who is bamfoozled by the curves and hills and therefore slows down to 45. Then, when he gets to the straightaways, he speeds up to over the speed limit! Auuuggghhh! Traffic backs up behind him in the hills, then when it's safe to pass, you have to floor it to get around him. And if you don't get around him then, you are doomed a few miles down the road when there are more hills to slow down for. If you're not going to drive the speed limit all the time, at least let those behind you pass!

My other peeve is at gas stations. When there are more than 2 pumps open, in line with each other, pull clear forward to the LAST one. Don't stop at the FIRST one.

I too am sorry for your loss and the tragedy, sephia, but I'm with watchme on this one. One can find injuries or fatalities from each and every possible circumstance a car and driver could be in. Driving through a parking lot; backing out of a driveway; leaving a gas station; leaving a parallel parking spot; driving into a home garage, etc, etc. Tragic occurances in any one of these situations are examples of random events, not guidance for what to do or not do.

I drove a total of 1300 miles in the past week so I witnessed most of the peeves on this list, including people driving with hazards on when it's raining!! (I've never seen that before)

My biggest peeve would be people who can't or don't adjust to local driving conditions.

You can usually spot a tourist in a crowded metro area because they are leaving a lot of distance between themselves and the other vehicles. They stop behind the line at intersections, etc.

My friends who live in metros have commented about how I'm a good "Dallas/Houston/OKC" etc driver when I drive in those locations.

I hate driving that way, it is dangerous to follow so closely and drive so aggressively BUT it is MORE dangerous to NOT drive with the flow of normal traffic.

In the same vein I can always spot the metro drivers when we get back out in the suburban setting because they are following way to closely, swerving past other drivers, etc.

My husband laughs at me but the most recent example was yesterday north of DFW when the car in front of me was tailgating horribly and I said out loud, "check the signs!! You aren't in DFW anymore!!"

If you do pull into the intersection to make a left, they recommend you keep your wheels pointed straight ahead. If the wheels point left and you are rear-ended, it will push you into oncoming traffic.

Also, with air bags, the recommendation is to no longer keep your hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel as, if the air bag goes off, it can break your arms. They recommend you keep your hands at 8 and 4 now.

Littllebug we have foothills and mountains. Your post reminded me of another pet peeve of mone.

People who decide to cross the mountains and don't take the time to learn simple basics of mountain driving. They panic and hit their brakes in the middle of a turn, they don't know that downshifting works better than riding their brakes. So you get behind them they are poking along, hitting the brakes when you would normally accelerate and ignore the turnouts so the long line of vehicles behind them can pass. Then they ride their brakes for the entire down hill run.

A short lesson in driving the twisties. That lower gear on your automatic (or manual) transmission is for the purpose of saving your brakes on downhills. Let your engine work like it's supposed to. Downshift. If you need to slow for a curve you do so before you enter it not in the middle of it. Then as you see the road ahead you accelerate coming out of the curve. This keeps your vehicle under control so you don't end up flying off a cliff or into the side of a mountain. Use these principles and you will seldom need to hit your brakes other than for those in front of you who don't seem to be able to grasp them.

My town has embraced the "round about" instead of lights or marked intersections. I go INSANE when people use it like a four way stop...

I wish there were always a SLOW lane. I will get there some day no doubt..but if you aren't brave enough or your reaction time not quick enough to drive the speed limit, PULL OVER for the rest of us!!

Some posts have been using 'when I was taught' scenarios. DH "helped" the kids learn to drive. He was raised in a different State and when the kids took their drivers tests and followed daddy's advise on how to make a right turn, they failed. Each State is a tish different on things, just because many do something doesn't mean that is the law on it, so be cautious, check YOUR laws on these turn issues. My town is trying to instill the "stop for pedestrian crossing" laws. Back ending into someone is becoming VERY common.

Arcy, it drives me crazy when people don't signal on a roundabout. Our city is turning into a roundabout city, and no one signals their intention to leave. Grrrrr!

The driver who was "coming in hot" (what he shouted as he plowed through us) as he crossed four lanes of slowed traffic and two sidewalks of congested folks trying to get to the football game I was working. He almost hit us. The cop across the street saw it all and went to talk to him. As he came up the sidewalk, the officer said, "this is one of the ladies you almost hit". The driver's cute quip? He would've given me a present [had he hit me]. I said, really, I would've given you a lawsuit... as he walked off. Not loud enough he could hear. He had not one iota of remorse. It was so bad, every last one of his passengers left him behind, distancing themselves from his embarrassing antic.

Yeah, watchmelol, it's a good way to lose your brakes entirely by overheating them when riding them down a mountain. That is what low gear is for.

Also, though you should never drive through a flooded area, if you do find yourself going through a deep puddle, do not race through it thinking you'll get it over with fast. All that does is splash water over your engine risking it will get the engine wet and it will quit. Instead, ease your way through the puddle so it keeps splashing to a minimum so the engine keeps running.

IDK if somebody already mentioned but how about those who block traffic in the parking lot, waiting for a car to leave a spot. I've noticed some will wait 4-5 min rather than parking farther away. A few times I enter parking area, notice waiting person, park my car, walk to store and see that person STILL waiting for the spot, ha!

Here in the flat Midwest, any slight rise or curve is 'scary'. Traffic slows, then speeds on the next straight stretch 'to make up time'. Our expressways have an increasing number of wanna-BE-somebodies racing one another at 100 MPH, cutting in and out over three lanes of traffic, even using the shoulders.

The worst traffic I can remember was trying to get to Santa Rosa from SFO on a Friday afternoon. We had flown in from Chicago in less time. (Many California friends have back and neck issues from being rear-ended -- while stopped.)

Littlebug

My other peeve is at gas stations. When there are more than 2 pumps open, in line with each other, pull clear forward to the LAST one. Don't stop at the FIRST one.

I've heard complaints about this. I don't really understand why it matters. If you pull in second behind the guy who got there first, then there is still an empty space there when he leaves. If someone comes in the empty space from the other direction because their tank fills on the other side then they will be blocking you in. I like to pull into a space so I can just pull straight out, but it doesn't always work that way.

Rob, I can't believe the cop didn't give that guy a ticket!! That's really atrocious to me, since he saw what happened.

We seem to have a lot of the left lane lollygagging drivers, who once you pass them accelerate to block you from getting in front of them - signal or no signal.

Oh and another one is right turn at the light which has a merge lane. It is an acceleration lane, not a get to the end and slam on the brakes when you can't get over. I can see the traffic coming so I do not enter the acceleration lane unless I CAN accelerate. Had some jack a$$ behind me honking his horn...

Regarding watchmelol's advice for coming down a mountain: On a trip to Mt Washington, two of us climbed up the mountain, the third drove our rental car to the top to meet us. On the way down we would put the car in L2 or L1 (instead of drive) to do as watchmelol suggests, but the car kept shifting into its top gear despite the setting of the gear shift lever. At some point we pulled over to the side because we smelled a burning smell, and the brakes were nearly read and smoking. We let the brakes cool for 10 minutes, and continued down the mountain but stopped twice more on the way down. I was sure that the car was supposed to stay in a lower gear if you put it there, so I guess there must have been something wrong with the rental car.

adella, my point is when Joe pulls up to pump 1, when pump 2 just ahead is empty as well, and I'm waiting behind Joe, I have to either wait for Joe to finish or pass Joe on the right and then back up in front of him to align myself with pump 2. It seems rude for Joe not to pull forward to use pump 2 and let me use pump 1.

You do, however, have a point in mentioning those vehicles who have their tank on the other side of their car.

"a driver going above the speed limit but slower than most traffic is still in the wrong"
Well DUH! They're SPEEDING! LOL Of course they're in the wrong! I'm curious, can you document even one case of a person getting a ticket (that was not overturned) for going the speed limit? (Assuming conditions warrant.) Your quotation and the website you quoted don't seem to understand the difference between the definitions of the words "should" and "must". Example in the site-mentioned article about the "Slow-Poke Law" which makes it illegal to drive below the speed limit in the left lane without letting faster cars pass. There's NO mention of any requirement to speed to use the lane.

My peeves: People who think garage sale signs are stop signs. People who think a glance in the mirror is adequate to change lanes. People who think putting on their turn signal automatically entitles them to change lanes, even when I'm right next to them. People who have had their turn signal on since 1996. (Was needed then and might be needed again I suppose.) People who won't let trucks move over when they signal and need to change lanes. People who think trucks can stop in the same distance as cars so they'll cut them off. People who don't turn on their headlights during inclement weather. (Illegal here) Those who use parking lights instead of headlights. (Which is also illegal here.) But to offset it there's a number of people who turn on their headlights at high noon on a clear day. (Total nuisance, and yes I know some spots require it.)

Re: mountain driving

Some newer cars (2010+) have a grade assist button or shift position to cancel overdrive. Grade assist can be used when descending or ascending mountains or hills. It can also be used when normal driving doesn't permit the overdrive gear so the car isn't shifting up and down in a 35 mph zone.

One example

Ford Grade Assist

cynic, you've reminded me. Grayline. There is a five lane bridge I cross daily and the Grayline knows good and well they need in the middle of the three right hand lanes, but won't get there. They stay in the left lane to pass everyone in line and put on their blinker, slowing down the left lane of traffic, and cutting the line for those who waited in the middle lane. Sarcastic rhetorical: they're like a "truck", so am I required to let them in? I don't. I won't. I'm at the point I'm going to contact someone to get it end!!! What someone who doesn't drive that way everyday may not know is their disregard for the line doesn't create an obligation on my part. Not only that, this is the exit to our highway. Once they exit, they get in the left hand (the highway's only passing!) lane and stay, blocking rush traffic (who cares if they're going the speed limit or not. They can't stop and go like the rest of us, so of course everyone wants to pass them), to do the same thing all over again... waiting until the exit to get over, blocking traffic and ignoring the line they should've been in.

Every day. Not once have I ever seen them in the correct lane. They know what they're doing and I'm not letting them in if they're next to me with their blinker on.

That's my biggest, daily, pet peeve.

...people who turn on their headlights at high noon on a clear day.

That would be me. I drive an older car from before "daytime running lights" were added. Knowing how much safer daytime running lights are by helping to prevent collisions by making the car more visible, I turn my headlights on when I get in the car and turn them off when I stop driving, day and night.

Yes, headlights during the day are not for the purpose of lighting the road for the driver but for the purpose of helping other drivers see you, making you more visible to other drivers. You'll see this a lot in the evening, when there is plenty of daylight to see to drive, but dim enough so that your car will fade into the background, especially in shade. Same on some streets here near my new home that are very shaded, even at noon on a bright day, a car can fade into the shade very easily.

My pet peeve: When on the highway (or sometimes other roads, if applicable), and a car is going to exit to the right. There is typically a spot on the right that's the "exit lane". You're supposed to move completely over into that lane as soon as that lane starts. SO many people just stay in front of the ongoing traffic, slowing way down, and move over to the right at the last minute. Do they not understand that that messes up traffic behind them?

When you're exiting, MOVE OVER and stop making everyone behind you slow way down because you're exiting. Just get out of the way (please) by moving into the lane that was created for that purpose.

Some highways here have Keep Right Except to Pass signs. That is how it's supposed to work, people cruising stay to the right most of the time, leaving the other lanes open for those Speeding is a Right types who just have to go 85 mph or more as a matter of routine. Unfortunately instead cars are usually dispersed throughout all the lanes like cows in a field, I think this is one of the things my area is notorious for.

4 way interchanges are often a circus here, due apparently to the same shared tendencies - including of course the aforementioned I Have the Right of Way at All Times, Regardless of Where I Am or When I Got There.

Two new irritants which seem to have become fashionable are 1) backing into parking spaces and 2) holding up traffic so somebody can enter from the side after the light changes. In both cases other motorists are made to wait unnecessarily, with in the first instance people already in the lane probably ending up missing the light most of the time because somebody who may have just pulled up was let in at the wrong time. In the second situation others have to stop and wait for extra operations to be performed, in order for vehicles to end up backwards in lots that are laid out for pulling in and backing out, and not vice versa. I've even seen a pickup pull completely into one stall, then back across the lane to end up parked finally in the stall opposite. Cutting me off in the process, as I had to stop abruptly on my way to my car with my shopping cart to avoid being hit as they burst out of the first stall to park backward in the stall immediately ahead and to my left.

OH OH OH!! Driving too fast on a flooded road.

The roads here flood quickly & easily (not like Louisiana) but its ok to drive slow through 3 or 4 inches of standing water. But a big truck always flys by throwing so much water on the cars beside that we can't see out the window until he passes. It's like being in a carwash. Plus it creates waves.

And it kills me when people pull out infront of me and poke along. I'm going 45. They pull out going 25 & wonder why I'm riding their bumper. They could have easily waited 3 seconds for me to pass, but oh no!!

Speaking of headlights. The morons who don't turn them on in the rain. Wipers on means headlights on.

My next peeve needs visual aids. :-)

There is one intersection I pass through on the way home from work where I have a stop sign, and the cross traffic, most of which is exiting the nearby highway, does not. On the following map I am following the blue line. The bothersome traffic is following the red line.

Sign 2 looks like this:

However more than 90% of the traffic taking this exit proceeds through the two intersections, under the bridge and turns onto route 250. Often they will block the intersection with route 601 entirely, or it not they will fill the short section between 601 and 250 completely so that the driver in front of me who want to turn left cannot.

Since the sign is essentially the similar to a "No Thru Traffic" sign
in that two actions are required to break the law, I'm sure that never
once since the sign has been there has it been enforced.

It steams me everyday as I sit there, delayed and impeded by a long line of cars, nearly all of whom are breaking the law and who are too self-absorbed to even realize they are breaking the law. However I have to realize that the delay for me has only a couple of time been as much as 5 minutes, and for every other route I could take the additional time would be much more that, but it still steams me a little every day.

Hey Bob, is the Milan Inn still in business as a restaurant?