# I gotta get these commuting peeves off my chest **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 22, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461 "2005-06-22T23:51:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/21 "2005-06-23T17:54:47Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > - people who bop into the previously empty right hand lane, preventing me from turning right for the cycle of the light. Is being third in line that stinkin’ onerous to you? Is waiting until the light turns green that stinkin’ onerous to you? Unless it’s a right-turn-only lane, they have just as much reason to be there as you. Frankly, I will _always_ take the lane with the shortest line I can find. It decreases the chances of being stuck behind one of the following: 1. A grandmother who plans to do ten below the limit. 2. A grandfather who plans to accelerate with all the urgency of a dead turtle. 3. A distracted nitwit who doesn’t notice the light is green. 4. A distracted, passive-aggressive nitwit who doesn’t notice the light is green, and intentionally sits at the light for an extra ten seconds after I honk at them. 5. An overly-cautious person who wants to turn left, but holds off until all traffic has cleared for three miles up the road, or the light has turned red. In either case, I’m stuck behind the light again. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/22 "2005-06-23T18:07:21Z")
So I’ll take that as a “yes” then. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/23 "2005-06-23T18:11:23Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > 1. A distracted, passive-aggressive nitwit who doesn’t notice the light is green, and intentionally sits at the light for an extra ten seconds after I honk at them. That could be me, if your (generic ‘your’) definition of distracted is not removing my foot from the brake _until_ the light has changed green. If the sequence of events is greenhonk, then I’m going to make you wait because I **am** a passive-aggressive asshole (it’s even better on my single lane Queens streets where you will wait for another light, as there is no way around). If the sequence of events is green…honk, then I was distracted and I deserved it. I’ll start moving and get out of your way. Yes, I’ve had drivers honk as soon as the light turns green. I’ve even had drivers honk in anticipation of a green light that doesn’t come, because of a turn signal. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/24 "2005-06-23T18:15:12Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > That could be me, if your (generic ‘your’) definition of distracted is not removing my foot from the brake _until_ the light has changed green. No, I’m talking about people who have a green light, but very obviously have not noticed it. Usually you can see their head angled down towards the dash, out the side window, or something. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/25 "2005-06-23T18:37:36Z")
> [@An Arky](#): > > You drive an SUV. You don’t need to slow down to 10 mph to go over a little bump. Quit being such a pussy! Agreed. You’re driving a vehicle that was originally designed to go offroad. I don’t think you need to come to a complete stop and then inch ever so slowly over the speed bump. The shocks can handle it, I swear. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/26 "2005-06-23T18:50:32Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > Is waiting until the light turns green that stinkin’ onerous to you? Unless it’s a right-turn-only lane, they have just as much reason to be there as you. Is waiting that hard for you? If right turn on red is allowed, then you are slowing down everyone else by taking that lane. So, although you may have just as much right to be there, you’re still an ass. The lengths some people go to to shave 4 seconds off of their commute amaze me. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/27 "2005-06-23T19:07:42Z")
> [@August West](#): > > Is waiting that hard for you? If right turn on red is allowed, then you are slowing down everyone else by taking that lane. > > So, although you may have just as much right to be there, you’re still an ass. > > The lengths some people go to to shave 4 seconds off of their commute amaze me. Are we going to keep going back and forth on this? You people complain about me wanting to shave some time off my “commute”, but the only reason you want that lane is so that _you_ can get past the light quicker. Why is your time more valuable than mine? Besides, where do you draw the line? If it’s a two-lane road, and the left lane has ten cars in it while the right lane has none, do you want me to take the left lane just so you can make your precious right turn on red? How about just five cars? What if I’m already in the right lane, like I should be on a two-lane road if I’m not passing? Should I always switch into the left lane at lights in order to let your majesty through? ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/28 "2005-06-23T19:20:47Z")
Who said I was the one turning right? I’m saying that I would never take the right lane in a situation where right turn on red is allowed, even if there were 35 cars in the left lane and none in the right lane. Because the 4 seconds I’ll gain by being in the right lane is meaningless. Meanwhile it helps those people that want to get off of that street and turn right. I just consider it common courtesy. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/29 "2005-06-23T19:33:34Z")
I realize you’re in a hurry to go into Golden Gate Park and twirl around, stony, but my driveway is not a parking space. I actually need to get my car out and go work for The Man. Rest assured, I will tow your Mystery Machine faster than you can say “I need a miracle.” ---
**Author:** ![sj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@sj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sj2)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/30 "2005-06-23T19:57:45Z")
To my rural/residential neighbors: Yeah, I know there are never any cops around the neighborhoods, but there is still a posted speed limit. I know that those long windy roads look smack out of a car commercial. It is very tempting to whip around the streets at 50MPH–but you do know that people live on these streets–the ones without sidewalks or streetlights, right? There is a state park right there with deer and coyotes and bunnies and such. They don’t know what a road is. And then in the middle of the day when folks are out on their horses, people are walking their dogs and kids are walking home from school…You can slow down a bit. Just the other day, I saw 2 dogs that obviously got away from their house. I’m standing in the middle of the road trying to get people to slow down to not hit the little dogs – or me – and they just whipped by in the other lane. And these are people who must live in my immediate neighborhood. These are the same sort of people though that I have seen run over a family of geese crossing the road, so I’m not surprised. So, I guess I traded my 1 hour commute for this garbage when I started working at home. I do miss NYC drivers though… ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/31 "2005-06-23T20:04:20Z")
> [@August West](#): > > I’m saying that I would never take the right lane in a situation where right turn on red is allowed, even if there were 35 cars in the left lane and none in the right lane. This is just bewildering. It makes no sense. If I’m the 36th car back around here, I’m going to sit through two cycles at least. Why should I do that when city streets are designed for people to use all the lanes? That is far more courtesy than any reasonable person has any reasonable right to expect. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/32 "2005-06-23T20:23:24Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > This is just bewildering. It makes no sense. If I’m the 36th car back around here, I’m going to sit through two cycles at least. Why should I do that when city streets are designed for people to use all the lanes? That is far more courtesy than any reasonable person has any reasonable right to expect. Glad I previewed, as I was going to post almost the exact same thing. The only time I would consider it would be if I’m the first car to pull up to both lanes - then I’ll get in the left one. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/33 "2005-06-23T20:26:30Z")
I like to consider myself a reasonable person; I wouldn’t expect anyone to sit in the left lane with 35 cars when the right lane is open. I don’t, however, appreciate it when there are **three** cars in the left lane, and I have to sit through the whole light because someone decided that they needed to be first instead of third. Like most common courtesy things, there’s a fine line to these things. And no, it isn’t a big deal, just a little irritating. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/34 "2005-06-23T20:27:12Z")
Please, for the love of God, don’t drive 90 km/h(or slower) on a highway were people routinely drive 120 km/h. It’s dangerous, and anybody stuck behind you doesn’t stand a chance of passing you if the highway is moderately busy. When driving up a hill, give it more gas so that you don’t slow down. There’s absolutely no fucking reason for traffic to go 40 km/h up a hill and 100 km/h down the same hill. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/35 "2005-06-23T20:36:58Z")
And since this is the time of year for this… “OH MY GOD!!! WHAT IS THAT BRIGHT LIGHT!!! OH NO! IT’S…THE **SUN**!!! AAAAAUUUUGHHHHH!!! EVERYBODY HIT THE BRAKES!!!” Yes, it’s the sun. We’re travelling westbound and it’s 7:30pm, and it’s - wait for it - sunny. Did it fail to occur to you that it might perhaps reflect through your windshield? Are you aware that there is this invention called sunglasses? The Chinese have been wearing them since the 12th Century. Check 'em out. No sunglasses? How about that thing above your head - you know, the visor? Yes, it does more than hold CDs and your garage door opener. You can, you know, lower it so…theeeeeeere ya go. Can we get moving now? ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/36 "2005-06-23T21:15:02Z")
> [@An Arky](#): > > And you, tourist fuckface. Stand to the fucking right on the escalator and get your fucking ass out of the way. Hehe, thought this meant you were in DC before even looking at your Location bar. I personally just get to the point where I get on the step right behind the person, invading their personal space so much that I can smell the garlicky B.O., then, with my head about 6 inches from theirs, I use my outside voice “EXCUSE ME.” Maybe they don’t understand WHY I’m being a jerk (because explaining would entirely negate the point of wanting to walk by on the left), but they’ll probably remember it the next escalator trip that some locals are clearly jerks when you stand to the left. If they get a negative view of my city, fuckin’ great, maybe they won’t come back. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/37 "2005-06-24T01:38:47Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > That could be me, if your (generic ‘your’) definition of distracted is not removing my foot from the brake _until_ the light has changed green. If the sequence of events is greenhonk, then I’m going to make you wait because I **am** a passive-aggressive asshole (it’s even better on my single lane Queens streets where you will wait for another light, as there is no way around). If the sequence of events is green…honk, then I was distracted and I deserved it. I’ll start moving and get out of your way. > > Yes, I’ve had drivers honk as soon as the light turns green. I’ve even had drivers honk in anticipation of a green light that doesn’t come, because of a turn signal. I thought that in New York, you honked if you could _smell_ a green light. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/38 "2005-06-24T02:29:58Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Yes, I’ve had drivers honk as soon as the light turns green. I’ve even had drivers honk in anticipation of a green light that doesn’t come, because of a turn signal. Oh man, the other day, I had someone start honking at me when the light turned green. I was the first car, he was the second car. The reason I wasn’t going on the green is that AN OLD LADY USING A WALKER WAS STILL CROSSING IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I’m willing to cut her some slack for still being in the crosswalk, because I know that intersection and the “walk” signal is notoriously short, but even if I was peeved at her (I wasn’t), I still wasn’t going to run her over just to appease some yahoo behind me. I can’t imagine the honker didn’t see her – it was broad daylight, I’m in a little car, and he’s in a big SUV. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/39 "2005-06-24T02:52:09Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > And since this is the time of year for this… > > “OH MY GOD!!! WHAT IS THAT BRIGHT LIGHT!!! OH NO! IT’S…THE **SUN**!!! AAAAAUUUUGHHHHH!!! EVERYBODY HIT THE BRAKES!!!” > > Yes, it’s the sun. We’re travelling westbound and it’s 7:30pm, and it’s - wait for it - sunny. \ And did you know that if you turn your lights on when you’re driving into the sun, the half-blinded driver behind you can see you better because your taillights are now on? I figured this one out a while ago. **delphica** , I’ve had a similar situation - I’m waiting for pedestrians in the crosswalk to make my left-hand turn, and loser behind me starts honking. It makes me want to get out and go have a chat with him. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461/40 "2005-06-24T15:15:37Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > I thought that in New York, you honked if you could _smell_ a green light. 😕 That’s just in Manhattan. In the outer boroughs, you have just enough time to move your foot from the brake to the gas - no hesitation allowed. I complain about the honkers who don’t realize they’ve left Manhattan. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-get-these-commuting-peeves-off-my-chest/309461.md?page=3)