The official idiot driver thread

[OldBuzzard]

In Wisconsin, during driver's ed in the 80s, we were taught that on a green light (no left turn arrow lit), we were to proceed into the intersection and wait for either a clearing in oncoming traffic, or the yellow light. If no clearing appeared, on the yellow light, ater oncoming traffic stopped, we completed our turn. A few years after I moved to Texas, I was driving with a young engineer in my employ sitting next to me. When I did that, he asked, "Do you realize that what you just did is illegal in Texas?" I said, "huh?"

We then had a discussion about it. He told me that when he did driver's ed (two decades later - in the 00s), they told him that it's illegal to proceed into the intersection (past the stop bar) until you have a clear path. I said I think he misunderstood the instructor, and explained the logic of the rule I learned, which is: at a busy intersection with no left turn light, it's often impossible to get a clearing in oncoming traffic. If what he was taught was true, no one would ever be able to get through, and traffic would just back up forever until rush hour was over. He acknowledged that the logic made sense but insisted that he had not misunderstood the instructor. I tried to look up the traffic laws at that time because I was dumbfounded that it could be that way, but I couldn't confirm or deny it when reviewing traffic code.

Has anyone else been taught not to proceed into the intersection without a clearing in oncoming traffic? I'd like to know if I'm that idiot driver for proceeding. Of course, I won't change my ways, but at least I'll know I'm an idiot.

In Colorado, my wife and I have always pulled into the intersection to wait, as you do. But recently, my wife got a ticket for that. She argued with the young cop, but he insisted that it's illegal now.

You're right, that's the only way to get through some intersections. But with an average of 5 cars running the red light every time it changes (a statistic I just made up on the spot ), it's vastly more dangerous than it used to be. I suppose that's why the law changed, but it adds to traffic delays and road rage.

 

[sab]

I always do. It's far from the worst offence I've seen committed in TN

So - were you taught it was legal or illegal?

 

[speeding_infraction]

So - were you taught it was legal or illegal?

I don't recall that coming up in drivers ed, but I do know it varies by state. Pretty sure it's illegal in WA?

 

[Viking Jeeper]

In Wisconsin, during driver's ed in the 80s, we were taught that on a green light (no left turn arrow lit), we were to proceed into the intersection and wait for either a clearing in oncoming traffic, or the yellow light. If no clearing appeared, on the yellow light, ater oncoming traffic stopped, we completed our turn.

I learned the same way in IL.

 

[Apparition]

In Wisconsin, during driver's ed in the 80s, we were taught that on a green light (no left turn arrow lit), we were to proceed into the intersection and wait for either a clearing in oncoming traffic, or the yellow light. If no clearing appeared, on the yellow light, ater oncoming traffic stopped, we completed our turn. A few years after I moved to Texas, I was driving with a young engineer in my employ sitting next to me. When I did that, he asked, "Do you realize that what you just did is illegal in Texas?" I said, "huh?"

We then had a discussion about it. He told me that when he did driver's ed (two decades later - in the 00s), they told him that it's illegal to proceed into the intersection (past the stop bar) until you have a clear path. I said I think he misunderstood the instructor, and explained the logic of the rule I learned, which is: at a busy intersection with no left turn light, it's often impossible to get a clearing in oncoming traffic. If what he was taught was true, no one would ever be able to get through, and traffic would just back up forever until rush hour was over. He acknowledged that the logic made sense but insisted that he had not misunderstood the instructor. I tried to look up the traffic laws at that time because I was dumbfounded that it could be that way, but I couldn't confirm or deny it when reviewing traffic code.

Has anyone else been taught not to proceed into the intersection without a clearing in oncoming traffic? I'd like to know if I'm that idiot driver for proceeding. Of course, I won't change my ways, but at least I'll know I'm an idiot.

I was taught as you were.

 

[rasband]

I was taught as you were.

CO driver, also learned the right way.

 

[JMT]

My biggest pet peve in life right now that makes me want to punch babies, is drivers that just cant get how a 4 way stop works, and people that swerve waay the oposite direction when making a turn.

If you are making a right turn from the right turn lane in your F ing Camry , there is absolutely no reason to swing way left before making the turn.

"punch babies," that is hilarious.

I really think virtually everyone on the road is a very 'nominal' driver, and we should all drive as if that is true.

It's extremely crazy to me that we all get on the road together. It was a startling reality last week driving through Salt Lake City. 6 lanes one way. Everyone trusting one another and driving 75mph. 15 year old student drivers and 85 year old grandma's. Crazy and perhaps stupid.

 

[sab]

I really think virtually everyone on the road is a very 'nominal' driver, and we should all drive as if that is true.

Back when I rode streetbikes a lot, this mindset kept me alive.

 

[OldBuzzard]

Back when I rode streetbikes a lot, this mindset kept me alive.

Back when I rode streetbikes a lot, I knew what every driver around me was going to do before they knew it. When I could no longer do that, I sold my motorcycles.

 

[Apparition]

Back when I rode streetbikes a lot, I knew what every driver around me was going to do before they knew it. When I could no longer do that, I sold my motorcycles.

Same

 

[Zorba]

I see that all the time. They simply have no idea how to handle a left turn with approaching traffic when light turns yellow.

Damn thing was red, and had been red for a bit, when he blew into the intersection. The only reason he stopped was the stream of opposing traffic. Obviously not paying attention, probably messing with a PHOOOOOONNE.

 

[Zorba]

In Wisconsin, during driver's ed in the 80s, we were taught that on a green light (no left turn arrow lit), we were to proceed into the intersection and wait for either a clearing in oncoming traffic, or the yellow light. If no clearing appeared, on the yellow light, ater oncoming traffic stopped, we completed our turn. A few years after I moved to Texas, I was driving with a young engineer in my employ sitting next to me. When I did that, he asked, "Do you realize that what you just did is illegal in Texas?" I said, "huh?"

We then had a discussion about it. He told me that when he did driver's ed (two decades later - in the 00s), they told him that it's illegal to proceed into the intersection (past the stop bar) until you have a clear path. I said I think he misunderstood the instructor, and explained the logic of the rule I learned, which is: at a busy intersection with no left turn light, it's often impossible to get a clearing in oncoming traffic. If what he was taught was true, no one would ever be able to get through, and traffic would just back up forever until rush hour was over. He acknowledged that the logic made sense but insisted that he had not misunderstood the instructor. I tried to look up the traffic laws at that time because I was dumbfounded that it could be that way, but I couldn't confirm or deny it when reviewing traffic code.

Has anyone else been taught not to proceed into the intersection without a clearing in oncoming traffic? I'd like to know if I'm that idiot driver for proceeding. Of course, I won't change my ways, but at least I'll know I'm an idiot.

That's what I was taught, and used, in Commiefornia. Didn't see anyone doing it here in Florida, and it drove me nuts. Finally asked a cop. Yep - its totally illegal here. Still drives me nuts...

 

[bucky]

This morning going to my shop at a 4 way stop an Idiot Driver tried to run the stop sign. He stopped inches from my passenger door. And Yes Zorba he was on his PHOOOOOONNE. I stopped in front of him and put up my hands to say WTF mister.

 

[Rickyd]

So - were you taught it was legal or illegal?

That is how everyone here does it. There are even blinking yellow lights and "give way to through traffic" signs on some intersections to encourage the safe practice of it

 

[B1Toad]

The law here says one car at a time may enter the intersection when waiting to make a left turn. That said, hardly anyone does that, they either line up bumper to bumper or the lead car will sit behind the line, scared to death to pull out, waiting for a green arrow. They are not smart enough to know when there isn't one at that intersection so everyone behind them has to wait for the next green and hopefully they will pull out.

Then we get the ones that sit behind the line at the intersections with the flashing yellow arrow but they won't turn until the light turns red and the arrow turns green. Just today there was one, arrow was flashing yellow and no traffic was coming, light turned red, finally green arrow came on. Half a dozen cars could have turned by that time.

When you are first in line at an intersection with arrows, you treat it like there is no arrow and just pull out and turn when safe like we did in the old days even if the light has turned red (unless you have a red arrow) you don't have to wait for the arrow, it may never come.

I once got stuck behind someone at a non arrow intersection who was having some kind of heated discussion on her phoooone and 3 light cycles went by with out her turning.

 

[Zorba]

I once got stuck behind someone at a non arrow intersection who was having some kind of heated discussion on her phoooone and 3 light cycles went by with out her turning.

I would have honked. If that didn't work, I would have bypassed.

 

[rasband]

I would have honked. If that didn't work, I would have bypassed.

100%, make sure it's safe and gtfo.

 

[B1Toad]

I would have honked. If that didn't work, I would have bypassed.

Oh I honked all right, and hollered, and used hand gestures. No way to get around her. Once she finally turned I was right there and gave her the local wave when I blew by.

 

[B1Toad]

Speaking of the local wave a guy on the Ranger forum said he wishes they would have put the rear window switch somewhere else other than the ceiling because when you reach up there to operate the switch whoever is behind you thinks you are flipping them off.

 

[rasband]

Speaking of the local wave a guy on the Ranger forum said he wishes they would have put the rear window switch somewhere else other than the ceiling because when you reach up there to operate the switch whoever is behind you thinks you are flipping them off.

That seems like a pretty exaggerated response, generally speaking I can't imagine people are operating these often enough to solicit that kind of response or awareness (much like a sunroof, it's a once or twice a drive thing).