Sooo...driving is a BITCH. Rant here to alleviate stress.

[starseed]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Driving through Chicago is rediculous. Basically a no-road rules winner take-all derby.

Oh yes. Also, I am not sure if it was just all the construction going on, but it was very confusing to navigate.

And why the hell is every highway in Ontario 90km/h??? Yuck.

[You Need a Thneed]

This morning, I was driving in the right lane heading southbound on 52nd Street NE, and I wanted to get into the left lane, to make a left turn at the next light (which was a ways away), so I turn on my left turn signal, and speeding up to get past the guy in the left lane beside me doesn't seem like an option, so I slow down slightly, so the guy in the left lane beside me will overtake me, then I can turn in behind him. After 5-8 seconds of slowing down with my turn signals on, the guy is finally far enough ahead of me that I can turn into the left lane, and I start to lane change. Right at that moment, the lady in the minivan behind me does a quick lane change to the left, and races around me, totally cutting me off. She got a good honk of the horn.

What did you think I was trying to do with my turn signal on?

[jammies]

So my friend and I were going down 52nd St this morning, and we're behind some guy in the right lane who is clearly clueless; he's right beside this other dude and going the same (slow) speed so nobody can get around. Then - get this - he starts slowing down even further, I have no idea why, except maybe his foot got tired from holding itself so delicately upon the gas pedal, so she does a quick shoulder check to make sure no one's coming and then BOOM, she's in the other lane so we can finally get around this fool.

Well apparently he wanted in the other lane, too, and he honks the horn as if SHE is the one who needs to learn how to drive. Hello? Just because you signal at the last moment doesn't give you the right of way, how about trying the accelerator function of your vehicle when you want to change lanes, you need to MOVE into the lane, not hesitantly edge your way behind someone else's back bumper. Some people!








--------------

Anyway now for a real rant - coming back into downtown along 4th, this guy in front of me is going 40 and is trying the ol' "slow down and look for a opening" move, except it's 3 blocks and he hasn't managed to convince anyone to let him in... probably because it looks more like he is just an idiot that left his signal light on than someone who might actually want to change lanes. Finally a spot opens up, but then he realizes he actually needs to turn at the next light, so he takes the spot and then tries to do the immediate dual lane change, except the next lane still had a truck in it, which he narrowly missed sideswiping, and only because the guy in the truck laid on the horn.

Vintage Calgary driving. First, be too timid. Then, when that doesn't work, compensate by being too aggressive.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I hate with a passion people who can see a lane is ending due to construction and every normal person moves over before you are forced to and then ineveitably you have people who think its your duty to let them in. Well no sir you do not get let in, in fact I will purposefully slow down (not enough to let you in) but just enough to let the other guy behind me creep my bumper so that we dont both let you in.

I hate you people more than anything on this earth. And you have the gall to honk and give me the finger - learn some fracking manors your ignorant pieces of garbage. I show respect to those who do the same, your "trick" to delay your trip by a few seconds does not count as that, that rates about as high as some jacktard neighbour who would move someones recycle bin.

A close second are the asses at merge lanes who dont merge. The classic one that I see at least weekly is Crowchild to Transcanada West. And its always a certain type of person that is stopped waiting for what seems like a 5 minute gap in traffic. i was stuck behind one of these a$$es on Canada Day, I knew what was coming so left myself plenty of room between me and him, I gave have him 2 golden chances to merge and he didnt so I merged and waved while going in by. This isnt the farm or your 2 bit town, learn to drive or GTF out.

I agree 100%..

This is not a case where someone pulls into a situation where traffic is already backed up.

If there is warning and you can see that you need to be in a different lane, do not drive all the way to the end I certainly will not let you.

This happens to me a lot on memorial drive trying to get onto deerfoot north. It's clear that you need to be in second right lane to get onto the off ramp. Yet people see (from a ways back mind you) that there is a line of people waiting to get onto the off ramp. They drive past this group and try and push their way in near the ramp. Get in line and wait like the rest why are YOU so special that you get to cut ahead of everyone. Completely ignorant.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by fotze

thanks to you jammies, I just punched my kid for no reason, thanks, dick.

Probably had it coming, just do the "That's for whatever you did when you knew I wasn't looking" spiel my dad always laid on me.

[V]

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

I'm learning how to drive right now (still have my learners ) and the only person I can drive with on a consistent basis is my dear mom, and its funny that you say this because she just SCREAMS at me if I don't do this. No matter how much I try to explain that if it turns yellow before I have enough time to stop that means I can make it through the light, or that yielding when making a right turn on a green light is pointless, she just loses her head.

What a beautiful tradition of crappy driving being passed down the generations. Brings a tear to my eye.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I hate with a passion people who can see a lane is ending due to construction and every normal person moves over before you are forced to and then ineveitably you have people who think its your duty to let them in. Well no sir you do not get let in, in fact I will purposefully slow down (not enough to let you in) but just enough to let the other guy behind me creep my bumper so that we dont both let you in.

I hate you people more than anything on this earth. And you have the gall to honk and give me the finger - learn some fracking manors your ignorant pieces of garbage. I show respect to those who do the same, your "trick" to delay your trip by a few seconds does not count as that, that rates about as high as some jacktard neighbour who would move someones recycle bin.

A close second are the asses at merge lanes who dont merge. The classic one that I see at least weekly is Crowchild to Transcanada West. And its always a certain type of person that is stopped waiting for what seems like a 5 minute gap in traffic. i was stuck behind one of these a$$es on Canada Day, I knew what was coming so left myself plenty of room between me and him, I gave have him 2 golden chances to merge and he didnt so I merged and waved while going in by. This isnt the farm or your 2 bit town, learn to drive or GTF out.

These people are the worst. I can see the sign ahead because I use my eyes (unlike many drivers I find), and so I merge early. Then I see 2-3 cars drive past me and go to nearly the end, and then put their signals on and try and get in. LIKE ###### YOU!!! I think these people are ass hats, but I hate the people who let them in just as much. Like why in the blue hell are you letting these people through, they are maggots, scum of all drivers, and you think your being nice by letting them in? If it were me, I would have them wait there for 5 hours. And when you don't let them in because they decided to drive past 30 cars and merge at the last second because they are in such a rush, they flip you off or give you a nasty look.

One guy tried to get in on me, the sign was about 500m, if not a full 1km back before the end where you have to merge, so I merged early, and then when I finally get to the end, I see some guy trying to get in, over and over and over. I had maybe 2mm of clearance between me and the guy in front, and the guy trying to get in gives me dirty looks, flips me off, all that stuff.

Like I seriously wonder where people learn how to drive, because it just baffles me on how bad some of these drivers are.

[EDBTZ12]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Which lane should he have been in?

No way he was going to try the left (fast) lane and risk getting punched in the face by 4x4 or Redvan.

Speed limit is 110 km so id rather see him in no lane

[Red Ice Player]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

This happens to me a lot on memorial drive trying to get onto deerfoot north. It's clear that you need to be in second right lane to get onto the off ramp. Yet people see (from a ways back mind you) that there is a line of people waiting to get onto the off ramp. They drive past this group and try and push their way in near the ramp. Get in line and wait like the rest why are YOU so special that you get to cut ahead of everyone. Completely ignorant.

This one has always bugged me. Those people cutting in at the last second are also breaking the law, crossing a very wide solid line. I have had to stand on my brakes several times to keep from rear ending these tools as they aggresively cut into gaps that aren't there, flipping the bird through the entire operation because they know they are pissing people off every time they do it and they don't care. I would love to see the CPS stake out this location and issue tickets for this, but it will never happen because they would rather hang out at their favorite fishing holes on Country Hills Boulevard and Metis Trail.

[J.G]

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

I'm learning how to drive right now (still have my learners ) and the only person I can drive with on a consistent basis is my dear mom, and its funny that you say this because she just SCREAMS at me if I don't do this. No matter how much I try to explain that if it turns yellow before I have enough time to stop that means I can make it through the light, or that yielding when making a right turn on a green light is pointless, she just loses her head.

All this info on the proper way to merge is pretty helpful. It still scares the hell out of me because I haven't got a clue how to time it correctly and I'm pretty clueless what to do in certain situations. Like it seems that slowing down in a merge lane or entering traffic before going the correct speed is a big faux pas. What about in situations like when merging from 14th St. onto Memorial when its busy, its tough to see the cars that are coming (theres a huge support for the bridge that blocks the view significantly) and the merge lane is very short? My mom makes me stop completely... I'm pretty sure this is not the right course of action (it never seems like I get into this stupid situations with anyone else but her). I'll be taking a drivers course later this summer, but still, it's good to get as much info as possible.

You have to be careful and read the signs properly. The advice of most would be accurate except there is a yield sign on this road, not a merge sign. The reason is exactly as you stated, it is hard to see and the lane is short. Basically if traffic flow on memorial is heavy and you can't find a spot to jump in, you should be stopping and waiting for your chance. If there is an opening, take it. If there isn't, do as the sign says... yield to oncoming traffic.

But like everyone else is saying, if it is a merge, don't hesitate. Get up to speed and people will let you in.

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by J.G

You have to be careful and read the signs properly. The advice of most would be accurate except there is a yield sign on this road, not a merge sign. The reason is exactly as you stated, it is hard to see and the lane is short. Basically if traffic flow on memorial is heavy and you can't find a spot to jump in, you should be stopping and waiting for your chance. If there is an opening, take it. If there isn't, do as the sign says... yield to oncoming traffic.

But like everyone else is saying, if it is a merge, don't hesitate. Get up to speed and people will let you in.

This needs to be quoted and repeated. Read the freakin' signs. Same with SB deerfoot onto EB Mcknight...I know the lane looks like a merge lane but its a freakin' yield...

[Dion]

Originally Posted by EDBTZ12

Speed limit is 110 km so id rather see him in no lane

Stay in the right lane and quit your sniveling!

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Driving through Chicago is rediculous. Basically a no-road rules winner take-all derby.

Really? I've always found Chicago to be relatively easy to drive through compared to other big US centers.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

These people are the worst. I can see the sign ahead because I use my eyes (unlike many drivers I find), and so I merge early. Then I see 2-3 cars drive past me and go to nearly the end, and then put their signals on and try and get in. LIKE ###### YOU!!! I think these people are ass hats, but I hate the people who let them in just as much. Like why in the blue hell are you letting these people through, they are maggots, scum of all drivers, and you think your being nice by letting them in? If it were me, I would have them wait there for 5 hours. And when you don't let them in because they decided to drive past 30 cars and merge at the last second because they are in such a rush, they flip you off or give you a nasty look.

One guy tried to get in on me, the sign was about 500m, if not a full 1km back before the end where you have to merge, so I merged early, and then when I finally get to the end, I see some guy trying to get in, over and over and over. I had maybe 2mm of clearance between me and the guy in front, and the guy trying to get in gives me dirty looks, flips me off, all that stuff.

Like I seriously wonder where people learn how to drive, because it just baffles me on how bad some of these drivers are.

I used to agree with you, but after careful thought (partially through the fear based teachings of 4x4, and partially through driving in extremely heavy traffic a lot recently) I've come to find that you are in fact 100% incorrect.

I will attempt to paint you a picture of why it is you that needs to learn, here it goes:

Picture a 10km stretch of 4 lane road, with a lane closure in the right lane between km's 6-8. So this stretch of road now has 8km's of 4 lane road, and 2km's of 3 lane road.

Option A: This is the approach you seem to favor. Upon seeing signs for the lane closure 2kms before the lane closure (at km 4) everyone should merge into the left 3 lanes. This effectively means that the road closure has been extended to include 4kms of the right lane, resulting in only 6kms of 4 lane road and 4kms of 3 lane road.

Option B: Instead of everyone merging well before the actual lane closure the right lane is utilized, thereby limiting the closure to the lanes actually closed, not the imaginary closure of the above choice. Here you still have 8kms of 4 lane road and only 2kms of 3 lane road. Clearly this option maximizes the space on the road, and is therefore more efficient. So long as people don't pull stupid moves, like not letting people merge, everyone is able to get through the closure faster.

It's really not that complicated, but lots of people have somehow been conditioned to think that extending a lane closure is a good idea. Heck I used to be one of you.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by valo403

I used to agree with you, but after careful thought (partially through the fear based teachings of 4x4, and partially through driving in extremely heavy traffic a lot recently) I've come to find that you are in fact 100% incorrect.

I will attempt to paint you a picture of why it is you that needs to learn, here it goes:

Picture a 10km stretch of 4 lane road, with a lane closure in the right lane between km's 6-8. So this stretch of road now has 8km's of 4 lane road, and 2km's of 3 lane road.

Option A: This is the approach you seem to favor. Upon seeing signs for the lane closure 2kms before the lane closure (at km 4) everyone should merge into the left 3 lanes. This effectively means that the road closure has been extended to include 4kms of the right lane, resulting in only 6kms of 4 lane road and 4kms of 3 lane road.

Option B: Instead of everyone merging well before the actual lane closure the right lane is utilized, thereby limiting the closure to the lanes actually closed, not the imaginary closure of the above choice. Here you still have 8kms of 4 lane road and only 2kms of 3 lane road. Clearly this option maximizes the space on the road, and is therefore more efficient. So long as people don't pull stupid moves, like not letting people merge, everyone is able to get through the closure faster.

It's really not that complicated, but lots of people have somehow been conditioned to think that extending a lane closure is a good idea. Heck I used to be one of you.

Lane closures are a little different in my opinion. Merging 2 km's before the closure is one thing. Once you can see the actual closure, start moving over.

Honestly if everyone tried to merge at the very last second it would be a huge mess as well... No one will convince me otherwise I will not let the person in if they try that crap...

[Cowperson]

In the bad driving thread I will post some seemingly good news . . . . . . those maniac speed trap cops who lurked 24/7 in Longview raising money for the town coffers seem to have taken a powder. I drive through their fairly frequently and I haven't seen a single one for about five months at least.

That's no excuse to gun it through town but the war is apparently over . . . .

Cowperson

[Resolute 14]

someone really needs to get WesternCanadaKing away from his mother. Learning to drive with a paranoid driver will only hurt you in the long run dude. A good driver requires confidence, and your mom sure is not going to help instill that.

[TurnedTheCorner]

I'm kind of in this sweet spot in the NW where I've been able to access Crowchild and therefore downtown without many construction delays since we moved here four years ago. The improvements on Crowchild from the city limits to the Dalhousie LRT have really made it a good transportation corridor - usually even in the height of rush hour. It does bog down at the Stadium to Kensington (either way), but in the mornings I ride the right lane to the 13 Avenue exit by those tenement apartments and then merge right back onto Crowchild after a brief stop at the light.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

Lane closures are a little different in my opinion. Merging 2 km's before the closure is one thing. Once you can see the actual closure, start moving over.

Honestly if everyone tried to merge at the very last second it would be a huge mess as well... No one will convince me otherwise I will not let the person in if they try that crap...

This is what I mean, I don't merge over until I see why it is so backed up, ie. the sign, or a collision, etc.

What I am complaining about and what pisses me off are the people that can clearly see the sign, then they drive up right to it and demand to get in right away. That is when I give people the bird. I will admit sometimes your not paying attention and you miss the sign, so you try and get in, but who is stupid enough to go all the way to the sign without seeing it? Inconsiderate ######bags.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

This is what I mean, I don't merge over until I see why it is so backed up, ie. the sign, or a collision, etc.

What I am complaining about and what pisses me off are the people that can clearly see the sign, then they drive up right to it and demand to get in right away. That is when I give people the bird. I will admit sometimes your not paying attention and you miss the sign, so you try and get in, but who is stupid enough to go all the way to the sign without seeing it? Inconsiderate ######bags.

Well the first signs for a lane closure are typically a couple kms before the actual lane closure, there's no point in everyone moving over that early. All the lanes should be used, with the closing lane being treated just like a merge lane.

The worst part about my conversion on this issue is that I don't have an identifiable group to hate anymore, I used to be able to get a lot of frustration out yelling at those d-bags using the empty lane to fly by me. Now I'm trying to be one of them.