If the lane beside you is empty, there is no reason have more than 3 blinks before changing lanes. Any more causes confusion about whether you actually intend to change lanes. However, If you are going slower than the general pace of traffic, then you should make an effort not to change lanes in front of somebody.
Like you have a choice when the road are otherwise full? We were traveling east on Grant at the time, in traffic flow with vehicles all around, other vehicles were changing lanes in front of me, and no one was cutting them off at all.
Apologies to you, Cherenkov; this fellow in the truck was completely in the wrong.
It's interesting to see how driving becomes such a personal and emotional venture.. I hear and read so much discussion and debate regarding rules of the road. Despite the constant arguments, and raging difference in opinion there is actually a "standard" rule book for driving in Manitoba. MPI issues this to new drivers. Last time I checked the rules in the guide are considered law. The rules are very clearly stated and even include pictures and diagrams, so there's little room for arguing the interpretation of the rules.
I drive a fleet vehicle so I'm bound to the rulebook. I have to read signs, I can't run red lights or 4way stops, I have to use a turn signal (even when no one else does), and I have to be courteous and patient every day. (Otherwise someone WILL call my boss and complain) My work vehicle weighs allot more than your average grocery getter so it takes more road to stop and more time to accelerate. Whenever someone cuts in front (median crossing) and I have to slam on the breaks (happens often) tools and materials go flying everywhere; you've probably seen a large cargo vehicle stop suddenly then heard a large clunk from the back..Yup it's a big mess.
I support the idea of regular manditory re-training and "updating" for everyone.
I saw a car cut off a Semi Trailer on Donald once. The guy had to slam on his breaks so hard that some of his wheels lifted off the ground. The guy in the car deserved to get smoked, but unfortunately he got away unscathed.
It's come to the point where you have to <em>expect</em> the other driver to cut you off, run the red light, brake suddenly for an non-signaled turn, etc.
Ever since I got hit by a teenager who, from a dead stop, decided to cut across Pembina Hwy just as I was approaching, I am a little extra cautious about extreme stupidity from other drivers.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: cherenkov</cite>Ever since I got hit by a teenager who, from a dead stop, decided to cut across Pembina Hwy just as I was approaching, I am a little extra cautious about extreme stupidity from other drivers.</blockquote>
Drive defensively. You can only be responsible for the way you drive, not the other guy.
I always drive defensively, but that only protects against moderate stupidity from other drivers. There is no defense for extreme stupidity. Hopefully the girl (if/when she got her license back) is being a little more careful.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: smjpilot</cite>It's come to the point where you have to<em>expect</em>the other driver to cut you off, run the red light, brake suddenly for an non-signaled turn, etc.</blockquote>
This is true, Anticipating bonehead moves can save big headaches. Whenever I get a green light I give it a few seconds just for the red runners to finish blowing the light.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: burningdust</cite>Whenever I get a green light I give it a few seconds just for the red runners to finish blowing the light.</blockquote>
Please don't do that.
I understand you think it's safer, but why not use the time when the light is red to survey the cross traffic and then know at the time of the green light that it either is, or is not safe to proceed. If it's safe, get going the instant the light goes green.
If everyone pauses three seconds at every light, the cumulative waste of time and fuel is staggering.
I don't mind if you want to waste your own time and gasoline, but I really don't want you to waste mine.
Actually, that 2 second pause was taught as part of the Defensive Driving Course some years back. Haven't taken it again recently, but it was for the exact reasons that burning describes.
Waiting unnecessarily at green lights means fewer cars can get through the light cycle. Those at the back of the line are going to miss the green because of your two second delay. So what do they do? Run the light...
800,000 vehicles in Manitoba. Each wastes, say, ten seconds a day using the two second delay. That works out to an hour of idling per car, per year. Or 800,000 hours of idling province wide per year.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Grumpy_Old_Guy</cite>Run the light...</blockquote>They will run the light regardless... One solution is to remove half the frickin lights in this city to begin with.
I am so glad I can't drive. I get annoyed enough trying to cross streets as a pedestrian, I couldn't imagine sitting at a green waiting for somebody to move. It's not that I'm in a hurry. I just thought that green meant "go", red meant "stop" and yellow meant "slow down idiot" oops, you know what i mean.