The Left Lane is for Left Turns Also

So, in this area there is a four lane road that travels through town. Two lanes going one way and two lanes heading in the opposite direction. There is a left turn lane in between. A few blocks before I have to make a left turn, I get into the left lane. It is a judgment call when to do it, because people around here feel the left lane is for speeders only. I don't want to get into the left lane to late, because sometimes it is difficult to get in. If there is an opportunity to get into the left lane, then I will take it. I don't care if I drive too close to the speed limit for others. That is how I drive and I have to make an upcoming left turn soon.

So, if you get stuck behind what appears to be a slow driver to you, in the left lane (not always legally the fast lane) please keep all your fingers on the steering wheel. They might have to make a left turn soon. Help prevent road rage.

Defensive driver

Tailgaters

I think the title tells it all. So, you're driving down the road and before you know it, there is a vehicle behind you and getting real close. This can be irritating. Now, not only do you have to worry about traffic in front of you, but you have to worry about this vehicle behind you also. Don't tailgaters get it? By getting real close behind me, you jeopardize my life and the lives of my passengers. This is the kind of stuff that creates road rage.

Do they think that if they get real close that it will make you speed up? Maybe I'm going a speed that won't get me pulled over and I don't want to risk a ticket. However, the driver behind wants you to break the law. So, do I have to risk a ticket or risk getting rear ended? Maybe you are in a location where passing is illegal and they don't want to pass you there, because of that? They would rather you speed up and get a ticket, then they pass you illegally and get a ticket themselves. The rationale for tailgating can be very thin. Is it a power trip to get real close with your large SUV?

How about the tailgater that pulls up behind real quick and gets real close. Then they slow down and back off, only to speed up and get real close again. As if they were trying to ram your vehicle, but then backing down at the last moment. Guess what? Yes, this can cause road rage also.

Let's get rational for a moment. If something happens in front of me, then I might have to stop quickly. The car behind mine should keep a safe distance behind mine. An easy guide to determining a safe distance to follow a car in front of you is to use the three second rule. Watch as the car in front passes some sort of marker. Then count off three seconds. This is usually a good system to use in good weather driving conditions. This will give you a better response time to slow down in time if the car in front has to stop suddenly. However, the bad thing about leaving enough room between your vehicle and the one in front of your vehicle is that this invites cars in adjoining lanes to try and squeeze in between. This is called "cutting someone off" and that's another story.

Four Way Uncontrolled Intersections

   This first article is about a pet peeve of mine. The four way uncontrolled intersection. No traffic signs or traffic signals. This is not a traffic situation that exists in all states. It is seen often in Washington state, mostly around residential areas. However, the proper driving procedure in a four way uncontrolled intersection is not adhered to by all drivers in these locations. According to Washington State law RCW 46.61.180, “When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.”

   Of course, this doesn’t mention what to do if two vehicles arrive simultaneously facing each other. However, this point is moot, because common sense implies if these opposing vehicles have to cross the traffic of the other by turning left, then they should yield. I’m not too sure how common sense and driving laws interract, though.

   So, if I arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at about the same time as you, but you are to my right, then you go first. If I noticeably get to this intersection first, I go first even if you are on my right, but not at the intersection. By the time you get to the intersection, I will be inside the intersection.

   Here’s something important. You should slow down when approaching an uncontrolled intersection. This kind of intersection can be identified by the lack of traffic signs or signals. I always slow down, because you don’t know when you will encounter a driver that doesn’t see a traffic sign or signal in their line of sight, so they barrel through the intersection, assuming they have the right of way. Two drivers traveling different directions through the intersection without slowing down can lead to an accident. I have been T-boned before and it is not a pleasant experience.



Photo courtesy: U.S. Department of Transportation.

    In conclusion, if you are approaching an intersection, look for traffic signs or signals in not just your line of sight, but for signs or signals in the view of cross traffic. It wouldn’t hurt to slow down as you approach the intersection as well.

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Blog Intro

   Welcome to my blog. I am an Information Tech student exploring one of the aspects of the web. I decided that creating a blog would help my understanding of website creation aspects.

   This blog is intended to enlighten people about certain driving situations. It was created to rationally analyze circumstances encounted on the roads that make drivers question the skills of other drivers. It is not intended to fan the flames of any incident.

  

   There are individuals with more driving experience than I out there, but I have done my share of driving. I have driven vehicles in Europe and the Far East when I was stationed those locations, in addition to my experience as a truck driver in the states.