Driving rant: PLEASE stop this!!

[jbhtexas]

This happened to me twice today, so I have to rant...

When you are in a left turn lane, and you want to make a u-turn, you cannot "swing wide" into the adjacent traffic lane on your right to make your u-turn, especially on busy road!

In the first incident this morning, the driver pulled 1/4 into my lane while making the u-turn. It was unbelievable. Thankfully nobody was right beside me and I was able to slow down and swerve into the next right lane to avoid her. The driver coming up on my right was able to slow down to let me over. The incident tonight wasn't quite as bad.

You aren't a semi tractor pulling a 53-foot trailer. If you can't make the u-turn without pulling into the oncoming traffic on your right, then don't make the u-turn. Find another option.

I see this happening more and more. Is this maneuver being taught in driving school now or something???

 

[AgronAlum]

People do this **** around here making a right turn. I hug the outside part of my lane when I’m next to people because drivers are ******* stupid. Vehicles have gotten too big for how little people pay attention.

 

[Cyforce]

People do this **** around here making a right turn. I hug the outside part of my lane when I’m next to people because drivers are ******* stupid. Vehicles have gotten too big for how little people pay attention.

Agree I pretty much hate everyone I encounter on the road anymore. Yesterday I asked a lady if my car was invisible walking into the dr office. I got cut off six times in a 15 minute trip.

And there’s a special place in HELL for you ******* that don’t feel you need to obey stop signs when you’re turning right.

 

[MeanDean]

My, used-to-be, 2025 Santa Fe. After some gnumb gnuts ran a stop sign. He was pulling up from the side road on highway 61 (4 lane divided) between Davenport and Muscatine. Looked like he was stopping. Then at the last second.... nope, I'm pulling out right in front of Mr MeanDean.

I remember gripping the wheel and saying at impact, "you dumb sh--!"

 

[jbhtexas]

My, used-to-be, 2025 Santa Fe. After some gnumb gnuts ran a stop sign. He was pulling up from the side road on highway 61 (4 lane divided) between Davenport and Muscatine. Looked like he was stopping. Then at the last second.... nope, I'm pulling out right in front of Mr MeanDean.

I remember gripping the wheel and saying at impact, "you dumb sh--!"
View attachment 172080

Well, that could have been deadly. Sure glad you are ok!

 

[MeanDean]

Well, that could have been deadly. Sure glad you are ok!

That car saved my life. And the passenger. A few bruises on my shins/ankles and one nice scrape (still got a tiny bit of the scab left after almost a month). Buddy in the passenger seat was the same, but also some bruising from the seat belt. I think I didn't because I braced my self against the steering wheel.

Now if ******* ******** incompetent State Farm could actually do their job, or ever TRY to do their job.... Been with them for 40 years and always had great service. They've restructured how they do things. The actual agent knows nothing and can do nothing. It's a complete pig cluster ****.

 

[TitanClone]

My, used-to-be, 2025 Santa Fe. After some gnumb gnuts ran a stop sign. He was pulling up from the side road on highway 61 (4 lane divided) between Davenport and Muscatine. Looked like he was stopping. Then at the last second.... nope, I'm pulling out right in front of Mr MeanDean.

I remember gripping the wheel and saying at impact, "you dumb sh--!"
View attachment 172080

I got t boned 12 or 13 years ago at the 4th and University intersection by an ISU employee driving an ISU pickup who ran a red going north on University. Spun me around a full 180, passenger rear tire hopped over the median, I litterally saw the grill of the pickup about to smash me. Luckily it got the back door, and I was fine just a small bruise from one of the side airbags.

First thought, F did I run a red? No, I know I didn't, what was that idiot doing? Guy behind me stopped and reaffirmed I had the green, the ladies airbag didn't go off and she was definitely concussed. Her truck ended up in the southbound lane partially over the curb in the ditch next to D5.

 

[deadeyededric]

Ive had it with semi drivers in the passing lane on the interstate. Especially I-80. JFC you dont own the roads you inconsiderate pricks! Slow poke laws need to be a thing also.

 

[CYdTracked]

Watched someone driving a large expensive looking SUV today try to pull into a parallel parking spot in downtown Des Moines today by turning left across traffic into the spot while putting the front end up over the curb. They cranked it around a few times to straighten out while blocking the street before finally getting it parked. Drove past once I was certain they were done. NY state license plate and pretty sure the woman driving had her cell phone wedged between her shoulder and ear. At first wondered if it was a drunk driver but wow I have never seen anyone try to park like they did.

 

[Gonzo]

This happened to me twice today, so I have to rant...

When you are in a left turn lane, and you want to make a u-turn, you cannot "swing wide" into the adjacent traffic lane on your right to make your u-turn, especially on busy road!

In the first incident this morning, the driver pulled 1/4 into my lane while making the u-turn. It was unbelievable. Thankfully nobody was right beside me and I was able to slow down and swerve into the next right lane to avoid her. The driver coming up on my right was able to slow down to let me over. The incident tonight wasn't quite as bad.

You aren't a semi tractor pulling a 53-foot trailer. If you can't make the u-turn without pulling into the oncoming traffic on your right, then don't make the u-turn. Find another option.

I see this happening more and more. Is this maneuver being taught in driving school now or something???

Glad you weren't hit.

 

[Clonehomer]

I’ve seen this way too often. As vehicles get bigger in the US, drivers need to realize that not all SUVs and trucks have the turn radius to complete a U-turn. If you need to reverse the car to make a 3 point turn, that’s not a U-turn and you should find an alternate route.

This sort of stuff does make me appreciate roundabouts more. Gives drivers opportunities to make “U-turns” as streets are getting center barriers more than center turn lanes these days.

 

[exCYtable]

You would think Highway 69 between both Huxley and Ames, and Huxley and Ankeny is the freaking Autobahn. And the stupidest thing is, whoever blows by, you just catch up to them by the time they hit the edges of those 3 towns because of stoplights or the 4 way stop in Huxley. So annoying.

 

[AltoonaFish]

That car saved my life. And the passenger. A few bruises on my shins/ankles and one nice scrape (still got a tiny bit of the scab left after almost a month). Buddy in the passenger seat was the same, but also some bruising from the seat belt. I think I didn't because I braced my self against the steering wheel.

Now if ******* ******** incompetent State Farm could actually do their job, or ever TRY to do their job.... Been with them for 40 years and always had great service. They've restructured how they do things. The actual agent knows nothing and can do nothing. It's a complete pig cluster ****.

May i suggest switching to @brentblum . He might not know anything but he is a good dude.

 

[gypsyroad]

I think u-turns are bollocks and should be disallowed unless otherwise posted where useful in rare situations. There should be no u-turn green lights unless it doesn't obstruct other traffic.

Simply put, a u-turn is two left turns at the same time. Why is this allowed?!?

 

[Gonzo]

My wife and I have been having this traffic debate for years. It's about the right-of-way protocol at a stop sign...

- Two cars are traveling in opposite directions, one north one south, approaching their respective stop signs at the intersection with a busier street.
- The car traveling south intends to continue heading south after passing through the intersection, the car traveling north intends to turn left at the intersection.
- The car traveling north, which intends to turn left, reaches its stop sign 5 seconds before the car traveling south reaches its stop sign.
- There's a steady flow of traffic on the busier east/west street, which does not have a stop sign at the intersection, prior to both of the north/south cars reaching their stop sign.
- The steady flow of traffic on the busier east/west street continues for 20 seconds after both of the north/south cars reach their stop signs.
- Traffic on the busier east/west street clears, and the north/south cars can now make their move.
- Again, the car traveling north that intends to turn left got to its stop sign first, before the car traveling south that intends to go straight, but they both sat there at the stop for 20 seconds.

Which car has the right of way?

One of us believes the car traveling north turning left at the intersection has the right of way, because it got to its stop sign first and has the right to make its left turn before the other car crosses.

One of us believes the car traveling south heading straight through the intersection has the right of way, because they both sat there for an extended period of time, making who got there first a moot point.

What say you?

 

[FarmerCy1]

Also- can people stop talking on cellphones while driving? It’s been the law in this state for 2 years and dip$hits still feel the need to be playing on their phones or talking while driving… cars have hands free features for a reason.

Similarly… please don’t cut off farm equipment with their turn signals on, or while passing in general. The number of times I’ve almost had someone slam into a tractor or cut me off while turning because they’re not paying attention is just annoying. Ironically, half of those vehicles have ANF stickers so not sure how to interpret that.

 

[shadow]

A personal annoyance of mine about Iowa drivers. When you are merging onto a highway, please be driving at least the speed limit as you are merging. Far too often, drivers getting on highway 30 are going 45 mph as they hit the highway. Drives me insane.

 

[Gonzo]

A personal annoyance of mine about Iowa drivers. When you are merging onto a highway, please be driving at least the speed limit as you are merging. Far too often, drivers getting on highway 30 are going 45 mph as they hit the highway. Drives me insane.

Not to mention, they think oncoming traffic is supposed to yield to them.

 

[TitanClone]

My wife and I have been having this traffic debate for years. It's about the right-of-way protocol at a stop sign...

- Two cars are traveling in opposite directions, one north one south, approaching their respective stop signs at the intersection with a busier street.
- The car traveling south intends to continue heading south after passing through the intersection, the car traveling north intends to turn left at the intersection.
- The car traveling north, which intends to turn left, reaches its stop sign 5 seconds before the car traveling south reaches its stop sign.
- There's a steady flow of traffic on the busier east/west street, which does not have a stop sign at the intersection, prior to both of the north/south cars reaching their stop sign.
- The steady flow of traffic on the busier east/west street continues for 20 seconds after both of the north/south cars reach their stop signs.
- Traffic on the busier east/west street clears, and the north/south cars can now make their move.
- Again, the car traveling north that intends to turn left got to its stop sign first, before the car traveling south that intends to go straight, but they both sat there at the stop for 20 seconds.

Which car has the right of way?

One of us believes the car traveling north turning left at the intersection has the right of way, because it got to its stop sign first and has the right to make its left turn before the other car crosses.

One of us believes the car traveling south heading straight through the intersection has the right of way, because they both sat there for an extended period of time, making who got there first a moot point.

What say you?

Technically the car that got therr first. In practice, if I'm the south bound car I'd probably beat them if they appear passive. 90% of good driving is being intentional/predictable, there's tells at stops what drivers are thinking. I'd be inching to make it clear I was ready, if they're dead stopped and look like a deer in the headlights I'm good. If they're inching I'm letting them go.

 

[Cyforce]

My wife and I have been having this traffic debate for years. It's about the right-of-way protocol at a stop sign...

- Two cars are traveling in opposite directions, one north one south, approaching their respective stop signs at the intersection with a busier street.
- The car traveling south intends to continue heading south after passing through the intersection, the car traveling north intends to turn left at the intersection.
- The car traveling north, which intends to turn left, reaches its stop sign 5 seconds before the car traveling south reaches its stop sign.
- There's a steady flow of traffic on the busier east/west street, which does not have a stop sign at the intersection, prior to both of the north/south cars reaching their stop sign.
- The steady flow of traffic on the busier east/west street continues for 20 seconds after both of the north/south cars reach their stop signs.
- Traffic on the busier east/west street clears, and the north/south cars can now make their move.
- Again, the car traveling north that intends to turn left got to its stop sign first, before the car traveling south that intends to go straight, but they both sat there at the stop for 20 seconds.

Which car has the right of way?

One of us believes the car traveling north turning left at the intersection has the right of way, because it got to its stop sign first and has the right to make its left turn before the other car crosses.

One of us believes the car traveling south heading straight through the intersection has the right of way, because they both sat there for an extended period of time, making who got there first a moot point.

What say you?

I’d say it that situation when stop signs are only N/S the vehicle going straight has the right of way unless the vehicle turning left enters the intersection prior to the other vehicle reaching a full stop. The only exception would be if cross traffic was clearing within a few seconds on the second vehicle of the second vehicle stopping. If it’s an extended stop going straight has the right of way.