Attention DC Drivers!

[bjarvis]

When all traffic lights are out because of a mechanical or electrical failure, the intersection by law is a four-way stop. That means every vehicle stops so everyone gets a turn to get through. Unless you're an emergency response vehicle, you don't get to breeze through on a whim.

Idiots.

Comments

[wescobear.livejournal.com]

I've reached the conclusion that driving licenses must now be given out without any test whatsoever; anyone with a pulse and a checkbook can buy one.

Here in suburban Philadelphia, drivers commonly:

• Fail to follow the "who proceeds first" rules at stop signs
  
• Fail to use turn signals
  
• Fail to heed lane markings and swerve all over the road
  
• Fail to stop before executing a right turn on red
  
• Take right turns from the left lane and vice versa
  
• Park in clearly posted "no parking, tow zone" areas
  
• Park as if there are no stalls indicated in the lot
  
• Etc, etc, etc.

Sorry about the rant, but it's a sore subject to me as a motorcycle rider.

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

When I become Supreme Dictator of the Universe, everyone will have mandatory drivers tests every 2-5 years. Not just a written test, but a real-world road test. Anything less than a 95% score is a fail. Lives are at stake, people!

[weekilter.livejournal.com]

Besides failing to use turn signals what's almost just as bad is drivers who signal *as* they are making a turn!

[jss]

In Boston, use of the turn signal is giving aid and comfort to the enemy.

[wescobear.livejournal.com]

I grew up and learned to drive in Brookline, MA - the only law Boston drivers follow is the law of gravity.

[jss]

And sometimes not even then.

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

Here, it's used as an after-the-fact device: you signal to inform others you have already successfully changed lanes, rather than warn them in advance you plan to try.

[bix02138.livejournal.com]

instructing d.c.¹ drivers on traffic etiquette = herding cats.


1. and yes, this includes drivers from both the old dominion and the old line state.

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

I don't get why people don't know this. It's dangerous as well as aggravating. Usually, if one car goes through then they are followed by 3 or 4 other cars going the same direction without regard to THE LAW. We just saw this a couple nights ago at a major intersection near our house.

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

All I ask is the ability to dispense traffic tickets and the right to shoot out their tires to catch their attention. It's so little, really!

[wescobear.livejournal.com]

That sounds totally reasonable to me. Like totally!

[weekilter.livejournal.com]

Faith in drivers I do not have. It's the law that you are supposed to stop for pedestrians and bicyles crossing the street regardless of whether there's a marked cross walk. I can't count the number of times drivers yell at me for *daring* to cross the street. Part of the problem is that driver education is lax. When you go into the DMV to take your "written" test on the touch screen all that matters is that you get some percentage right... something like 22 out of 30 questions answered correctly. Even if you guess you're likely to get the right answer even if you are totally clueless.

[rticboy.livejournal.com]

You sure you're not describing Ottawa drivers?