Advocacy & Safety - Drivers that are TOO nice

The other day I came to a red stop light and was turning left. When it turned green the car opposite of me tried to let me go first. I know she was trying to be nice, but I wouldn't go for obvious reasons. This frustrates me because she had all the good intentions in the world, but society hadn't given her the skills to handle the situation. Any one else ever have an instance such as this?

I don't like drivers that do that or follow behind you slowly. I understand they think they're "protecting" you, but really it just makes you nervous.

yeah, i usually just stop and look at my water bottle or something. breaking eye contact usually sends the signal that they shouldn't wait for me.

I smile and wave them through if its unsafe for me to take advantage of.

I think some of that stems from cyclists who don't follow the rules of the road. I'll approach a 4-way stop sign and watch as a car turning from the other side sits there, I guess assuming that I'm just going to blow through the stop sign. I try to be very predictable, but I guess others ruin it for all of us.

I always wave cars through before I come to a stop. Usually they stop and wave me through, then I proceed provided there is nothing coming past in any other lanes. On the ocassions where they go first, it is clear for me to go before I have come to a complete stop. The important thing is to make eye contact and make your intentions clear.

i don't mind the gestrure on a road with single lanes in each direction. I relly hat it though when the offer is made while there are open lanes on a highway.

I know what you mean Astomper, but it's hard to be critical when drivers do behave with more than the usual courtesy. Some may view their actions as condescending, but I think it is genuine consideration.
What tends to happen though, is the whole manouver e.g. at an intersection takes longer than if we'd both been drivers following the usual rules an conventions... Rather like tow people trying to hold the door open for each other....

It does give one a little faith in human kindness though.

I sometimes get the same response when buzzing around in my little MG classic sports car, but then again she is rather charming :)

Cheers,

Ed

All the time. These folks are dangerous. Beware.

I think some of that stems from cyclists who don't follow the rules of the road. I'll approach a 4-way stop sign and watch as a car turning from the other side sits there, I guess assuming that I'm just going to blow through the stop sign. I try to be very predictable, but I guess others ruin it for all of us.


Thats exactly right.

I always make it very clear to nice drivers that I intend to wait my turn at intersections.... and not put myself in front of them illegally when they have the right of way... how many times do we hear about a stuck gas pedal and someone plowing through a house etc....

Happens to me all the time and at times feels awkward or dangerous.

Usual examples are people trying to wave you on your way at a light or 4-way stop when they have the right of way or stopping/slowing for a right or left hook where they did initially have the time and space but ultimately put you in the position of having to put your feet down while they decide what to do while continuing in motion and waving you into the merge point or stopping where a MUP crosses a road where they have the right of way while trying to get you to cross in front of them when all they've really done is block one lane of traffic ultimately forcing all the others to try and stop needlessly as well. I just stop and put my feet down as a physical signal that I'm not moving, but it can be frustrating if it happens multiple times in the same ride.

My wish is that everyone on the road would follow their local rules of the road.

I love honoring random acts of kindness, but IMO this isn't the situation to do so.

How many times have I seen this happen: driver wants to be nice, so they stop and wave the cyclist across. This is non-standard & contrary to right-of-way, so it takes a bit of time to communicate. The cyclist finally gets the message and starts to go across in front of the motor vehicle about the time the driver gives up and proceeds themself!

TCS

PS - If they collide, guess who's fault it will be?

PPS - Pet Peeve #61: drivers giving hand signals (come around, go across, etc.)from inside cars with deeply tinted windows! Like I can see what they're trying to communicate!

The scary thing is the impatient driver who's trailing and then passes on the right. I and 3 other bike commuters nearly went to the Big Peleton in the Sky in this situation a few months ago.

had one do this today on my way home. She was at a stop light and I came up behind her in the bike lane. I paused to let her make her right turn. She had her signal on and looked in her mirror at the last second before going and saw me. She stopped and said "go ahead". I said "No thanks, the light is still red". She may have thought I was making a right turn but I hadn't signaled or anything to indicate thats where I was going.

I was glad to see that she actually looked in the mirror.

again... cycling should be included in driver's ed courses and should be on the DMV driving test as well...

Education of everyone on the road to an equivalent level is the only thing that will help... and probably only marginally since the vehicle operators will still want to haul tail everywhere....

again... cycling should be included in driver's ed courses and should be on the DMV driving test as well...

Education of everyone on the road to an equivalent level is the only thing that will help... and probably only marginally since the vehicle operators will still want to haul tail everywhere....



Of course, you are assuming that Driver's Ed is actually taught. I went through the course and did not learn ANYTHING new from it. They teach the bare necessities. Just enough to keep them in business. :mad: We never covered ANYTHING with regard to slow moving vehicles or anything, really.

After spending years in a city that doesn't treat cyclists very well, I moved to a city where almost all the drivers are too polite. I've had a lot of trouble knowing how to handle it! I can ignore swearing and honking, but I'm not sure what to do when cars stop, and hold up a long line of traffic ... to let me cross ... even though I don't have the right of way, and really don't want to take my turn out of turn.

Hello, I'm a long time lurker, first time poster to A&S.

I must be the odd one out here but in these sorts of situations I acknowledge the kindness with a wave or nod and take what's offered. If it's obvious that someone is stopping or slowing to let me through, even if they have the right-of-way, I go. I figure it's quicker for everyone and they get to feel good about doing something nice.

The thing that annoys me most about when drivers do that is that normally I am not watching them at first when they first wave me through. I'll be watching their car, but normally I am concentrating on trying to keep just enough speed so that I don't have to get to the point of putting a foot down (I cannot track stand yet, haven't even tried learning as of yet but I can keep decent balance at quite low speeds most of the time). Inevitably when they wave me through I am being overly cautious and I end up having to put a foot down and then restart and it is just an overall pain in the neck for me. If they would have just gone through the intersection like I was a car, it would have been easier on both of us.

The scary thing is the impatient driver who's trailing and then passes on the right. I and 3 other bike commuters nearly went to the Big Peleton in the Sky in this situation a few months ago.
Had a Ford Ranger pass me on the right a while back (on my daily commute)...narrow 2 lane 55mph road, rutted dirt shoulder so I'm riding on the paved road, chugging my hardest into a killer headwind with a tractor trailer behind me traveling at my speed. Center line was dotted yellow but oncoming traffic was heavy, so the guy in the Ranger decides to blow by the tractor trailer and me on the shoulder at fairly high speed. That was definitely a surprise. Of course the driver in the Ranger didn't see me in front of the big truck, so I had to swerve left to avoid being sideswiped.

As far as people being too nice, I've found the people stopping and waving me on at 4 way stops when they're at a complete stop and I'm just starting to brake to be very annoying (as others have mentioned). They could have just stopped, then started back up and cleared the intersection before I had even stopped. There's no way I'm blowing through a 4 way stop just because one person waves me on, especially if the other directions do not have vehicles stopped at them. Never know when a person coming the other way may not see the stop sign in time and go straight through.

I always make it very clear to nice drivers that I intend to wait my turn at intersections.... and not put myself in front of them illegally when they have the right of way... how many times do we hear about a stuck gas pedal and someone plowing through a house etc....

Stuck gas pedal? Please. I think you are being a little extreme . . . and since when is it illegal for one driver to yield to another, or another driver to accept and proceed, no matter who reached the intersection first and technically is justified in asserting right of way?

I would challenge anyone to find any codification stipulating that you have committed an infraction by accepting another driver's offer to let you proceed first through an intersection.

Personally, it bothers me when drivers refuse to cross a double yellow even an inch or two to pass when they could do so safely - they unnecessarily place the focus and ire of drivers behind them on me - but I do appreciate the sentiment.

At four ways, if a driver offers, I think it simplest just to accept, and we can both be on our way. If you just insist on asserting your right to just sit there until you convince the other guy to go, well, it's your time, so, waste it if you so choose.

Obviously, if the roadway includes more than one lane in each direction, you need to make certain not to accept the gracious offer of one driver only to be squashed by another who is probably so busy gawking to see why the first guy is just sitting there that he isn't even aware of your presence.

A little off topic, but reminds me of a time when I struck a deer with my car while driving 65 on the freeway at night. I caught the deer with my right front, and the force of the collision sent me into a spin and I came to rest with my tail against a guard rail and my nose angled out onto the roadway headed in the wrong direction.

Traffic wasn't heavy, but, most of the drivers who happened by immediately went into "what a nut" frenzy and started blaring their horns at the headlights without even slowing down - I had to stand well away from the car to make certain I was safe from being crushed along with the car.

Drivers (all of us) are so accustomed to what we expect to see on the roadway that we immediately jump to conclusions (usually the wrong ones) when we see the unexpected or are treated to unexpected courtesies.

The driver offering you his/her right of way is not endangering your life. Oh, that mine might be thusly endangered more often.

Caruso

Hello, I'm a long time lurker, first time poster to A&S.

I must be the odd one out here but in these sorts of situations I acknowledge the kindness with a wave or nod and take what's offered. If it's obvious that someone is stopping or slowing to let me through, even if they have the right-of-way, I go. I figure it's quicker for everyone and they get to feel good about doing something nice.


Unfortunately... when you accept and allow their "kindness" it just reinforces their bad, and usually, illegal behavior. That just makes it more difficult for the next cyclist to predict what the driver will do....

"Stuck gas pedal? Please. I think you are being a little extreme . . . and since when is it illegal for one driver to yield to another, or another driver to accept and proceed, no matter who reached the intersection first and technically is justified in asserting right of way?

I would challenge anyone to find any codification stipulating that you have committed an infraction by accepting another driver's offer to let you proceed first through an intersection."

Yes.. that was a bit extreme as an example but it does happen.. and regarding the supposed infraction: IF there is an accident the investigation will place the blame on the vehicle operator who was violating the law - regardless of whatever communications supposedly occurred between the operators. That's why there are laws - otherwise it would be anarchy at every intersection - ever tried to drive in South America? That's what it would be like out there.... not good.

had one do this today on my way home. She was at a stop light and I came up behind her in the bike lane. I paused to let her make her right turn. She had her signal on and looked in her mirror at the last second before going and saw me. She stopped and said "go ahead". I said "No thanks, the light is still red". She may have thought I was making a right turn but I hadn't signaled or anything to indicate thats where I was going.

I was glad to see that she actually looked in the mirror.I think this is a case where you would be better served getting out of the bike lane and positioning yourself directly behind her car.

Another peeve is drivers who are "too nice" that pass you on the left, only to make a right-hand turn a few moments later, and wait for you to pass them again on their right. Better to either stop, and wait for them to make the turn, or pass on their left if it's clear to do so.

I can't tell you how frustrating it is to have the stop sign at a T intersection, see that a break in the traffic is coming up, just to have some moron stop dead and screw up the timing while I coax him through.

WTF?

One of the things that's great about being on a bike is that it is much easier to communicate with drivers than it is locked up in a car.

The most common situation where cars might yield to me would be a 4 way stop and i'll communicate with them clearly if I intend to go or if I am stopping to yeild to them.

If I am going i'll wave and say thank you. If I am stopping, I'll wave them through or nod my head.

Or in other situations if somebody is waiting to turn left for instance and I have the right-of-way i'll make a forward slicing motion with my left hand just so they know what I am doing.

If am jamming up to a light, but realize I have to stop because I won't make it before it goes red ... I nod my head at traffic to let them know that I am slowing so that they can turn left and clear the intersection.

If somebody is trying to yeild to me in a situtation that i think it dangerous ... All I have to do is wave them through firmly and they seem to get it right away.

I'll take a TOO nice driver over an NOT too nice driver any day of the week.

I acknowledge the kindness with a wave or nod and take what's offered.

That's very dangerous.
Just because driver 'A' is offering you the right of way, it doesn't mean driver 'B' won't blow by driver 'A', and punish you for your grateful acceptance.

Its not really possible to say what is dangerous without a diagram of a particular traffic situation.

At the end of the day each cyclist is responsible for their own personal safety ... especially when they deviate from the codified rules.

Its not really possible to say what is dangerous without a diagram of a particular traffic situation.

At the end of the day each cyclist is responsible for their own personal safety ... especially when they deviate from the codified rules.


Except that if EVERYONE followed the same rules we'd at least go in to different situations with a bit of a clue as to what to expect... that said, you are absolutely correct about responsibility for personal safety - I ALWAYS assume that I am the only one on the road concerned about ME... and it's even more important when it's me and my LeMond up against a 3000 lb turbodiesel extended cab dually pick-up truck that's jacked up off the road for 4-wheeling (the only type of vehicle that, apparently, can be purchased or operated in Texas... :)

I'll take a TOO nice driver over an NOT too nice driver any day of the week.

+1

If they were all too nice then it wouldn't be nearly as dangerous and we wouldn't be having this discussion.

I find it very annoyting at a 4 way when the driver on the cross street fully intends to exercise their right of way but will not do so until you come to a complete stop and put one foot on the ground. I try to wave them through but they insist on waiting until I put a foot down which makes me want to just blow through and screw them all for being so freakin' ********.

I just thought of this. This has happened several times and is even worse than a driver waving me through a four-way stop before my turn. Several times I've come upon an intersection where I have a stop sign, the cross-street does not have to stop. I stop and wait for the lone car coming up to the intersection to pass. Then, what happens? The driver randomly stops, even though they are not required to and waves me through. As I said they were the only car coming down the road so it isn't like they are blocking traffic to give me a chance to merge/cross a heavily trafficked street. No just them and I. Talk about confusion as to what is going on.

I just thought of this. This has happened several times and is even worse than a driver waving me through a four-way stop before my turn. Several times I've come upon an intersection where I have a stop sign, the cross-street does not have to stop. I stop and wait for the lone car coming up to the intersection to pass. Then, what happens? The driver randomly stops, even though they are not required to and waves me through. As I said they were the only car coming down the road so it isn't like they are blocking traffic to give me a chance to merge/cross a heavily trafficked street. No just them and I. Talk about confusion as to what is going on.


I just sit and wait for them to remember the rules of the road and that they have the right of way... I don't want any "favors" or "courtesies" extended that endanger my life or the lives of other cyclists...

I just thought of this. This has happened several times and is even worse than a driver waving me through a four-way stop before my turn. Several times I've come upon an intersection where I have a stop sign, the cross-street does not have to stop. I stop and wait for the lone car coming up to the intersection to pass. Then, what happens? The driver randomly stops, even though they are not required to and waves me through. As I said they were the only car coming down the road so it isn't like they are blocking traffic to give me a chance to merge/cross a heavily trafficked street. No just them and I. Talk about confusion as to what is going on.Exactly, and often it seems that by them stopping, it makes you have to wait even longer to go... If they'd just kept driving, you could have started again right behind them, instead of the whole "You go ahead!" "No, you!" thing.

In the country, every once and a while you'll come across a driver that has no idea how to deal with a bike on the road, so they slow down and don't pass. It takes a while to realize and usually if you wave them on they'll get the idea but if the road has limited visibility I hate to do it because I don't want to put them in the path of an oncomming car. They also tend to block other cars behind them so once they finally do pass, they've got an angry mob following behind.

Myself, I NEVER take right-of-way that isn't mine, unless the car that is yielding their right-of-way is broken down or something.

The system depends on proper usage of right-of-way. Break that, and you get anarchy anywhere lights don't control everything.


3000 lb turbodiesel extended cab dually pick-up truck that's jacked up off the road for 4-wheeling

The only modern 3000 pound turbodiesels in the US that I know of are Jettas, Golfs, and New Beetles. ;)

These pickup trucks are more like 8000 pounds. :eek:

Myself, I NEVER take right-of-way that isn't mine, unless the car that is yielding their right-of-way is broken down or something.

The system depends on proper usage of right-of-way. Break that, and you get anarchy anywhere lights don't control everything.



The only modern 3000 pound turbodiesels in the US that I know of are Jettas, Golfs, and New Beetles. ;)

These pickup trucks are more like 8000 pounds. :eek:


If I didn't drive a Honda Accord I'd probably know that.. :)

Yes.. that was a bit extreme as an example but it does happen..

Show me one news reference documenting a case where a car stops at an intersection, waves a cyclist through, then, due to a stuck gas pedal, runs into the cyclist. I don’t ever remember hearing or reading about such a strange occurrence. In any event, if the pedal were to stick (or if the driver hits the gas instead of the brake), it would be nature’s selection as to which car (or driver) malfunctioned. It could just as well be the oncoming driver or the driver on your right or left. Any of you may or may not have the right of way in that situation, so I’m not certain how your very speculative scenario bears upon this discussion.


IF there is an accident the investigation will place the blame on the vehicle operator who was violating the law

When I think of my own experiences where drivers have offered me the right of way and I accepted, it wasn’t on four-lane streets where a nice gesture from an oncoming driver in the left lane invites me to make a left across oncoming traffic in the right lane – I doubt I would move in that situation – then again, if your are making that sort of left turn, you’d be well-served to stay alert and be cautious even if there is a dedicated left turn arrow giving you the right of way.

I see very little potential for an accident at, say, a four way stop where technically someone else has the right of way but offers to let you go first. I’ve had cops proffer this courtesy numerous times. I take issue with your contention that anyone is breaking the law in this situation. There is nothing illegal about a driver offering to let the cyclist go first, nothing illegal about the cyclist accepting that offer.


That's why there are laws - otherwise it would be anarchy at every intersection - ever tried to drive in South America? That's what it would be like out there.... not good.

The possibility of anarchy as a result of the courteous behavior being criticized in this thread is not high on my list of concerns, and, while I have never driven in South America, if there is anarchy on their streets, I doubt it is the result of overly courteous drivers. Your posts seem to be high on hyperbole.

There are situations where traffic would move more efficiency if everyone just took their turn, but, generally, the only negative is the slight loss of time for one or more drivers – nothing more, IMO.

Caruso

Show me one news reference documenting a case where a car stops at an intersection, waves a cyclist through, then, due to a stuck gas pedal, runs into the cyclist. I don’t ever remember hearing or reading about such a strange occurrence. In any event, if the pedal were to stick (or if the driver hits the gas instead of the brake), it would be nature’s selection as to which car (or driver) malfunctioned. It could just as well be the oncoming driver or the driver on your right or left. Any of you may or may not have the right of way in that situation, so I’m not certain how your very speculative scenario bears upon this discussion.



When I think of my own experiences where drivers have offered me the right of way and I accepted, it wasn’t on four-lane streets where a nice gesture from an oncoming driver in the left lane invites me to make a left across oncoming traffic in the right lane – I doubt I would move in that situation – then again, if your are making that sort of left turn, you’d be well-served to stay alert and be cautious even if there is a dedicated left turn arrow giving you the right of way.





I see very little potential for an accident at, say, a four way stop where technically someone else has the right of way but offers to let you go first. I’ve had cops proffer this courtesy numerous times. I take issue with your contention that anyone is breaking the law in this situation. There is nothing illegal about a driver offering to let the cyclist go first, nothing illegal about the cyclist accepting that offer.



The possibility of anarchy as a result of the courteous behavior being criticized in this thread is not high on my list of concerns, and, while I have never driven in South America, if there is anarchy on their streets, I doubt it is the result of overly courteous drivers. Your posts seem to be high on hyperbole.

There are situations where traffic would move more efficiency if everyone just took their turn, but, generally, the only negative is the slight loss of time for one or more drivers – nothing more, IMO.

Caruso


You certainly are entitled to believe what you want but if you are in an accident and you were NOT following the appropriate traffic laws you WILL be found at fault... Courtesy is not one of the variables that is considered... plus, courtesy in violation of traffic laws CAN get you killed.

Even in Driver's Ed classes you are taught to follow the laws despite what other motorists are telling you to do... with the exception of a law enforcement officer onscene directing traffic. If courtesy were all that's required for safe, effective traffic flow there wouoldn't be traffic laws.

If my posts seem to be high on hyperbole it's because I choose to consider the worst case scenarios... the ones that get a cyclist killed.... not the scenarios in which everyone just politely wave other people through intersections... that's not the real world IMO.

You certainly are entitled to believe what you want but if you are in an accident and you were NOT following the appropriate traffic laws you WILL be found at fault... Courtesy is not one of the variables that is considered... plus, courtesy in violation of traffic laws CAN get you killed.

Even in Driver's Ed classes you are taught to follow the laws despite what other motorists are telling you to do... with the exception of a law enforcement officer onscene directing traffic. If courtesy were all that's required for safe, effective traffic flow there wouoldn't be traffic laws.

If my posts seem to be high on hyperbole it's because I choose to consider the worst case scenarios... the ones that get a cyclist killed.... not the scenarios in which everyone just politely wave other people through intersections... that's not the real world IMO.

Well, actually, it isn't about belief, it's about the law. You contend that to accept right of way when yielded by another driver is illegal. You have not responded by my request for one single incident supporting your hypothetical "stuck pedal" and you cannot cite one codification defining as illegal the surrender of ones right of way.

It is your world that is not real. There are no laws prohibiting a motorist from surrendering his/her right of way. There is not one law that makes it illegal for a cyclist to accept that gracious offer.

Pretend all you want, and if it makes you feel safer, fine.

You may continue to ride in your stodgy manner - it won't hurt a thing. You will never know what you re missing. Thump away at the rule book if it makes you feel better.

Caruso

Well, actually, it isn't about belief, it's about the law. You contend that to accept right of way when yielded by another driver is illegal. You have not responded by my request for one single incident supporting your hypothetical "stuck pedal" and you cannot cite one codification defining as illegal the surrender of ones right of way.

It is your world that is not real. There are no laws prohibiting a motorist from surrendering his/her right of way. There is not one law that makes it illegal for a cyclist to accept that gracious offer.

Pretend all you want, and if it makes you feel safer, fine.

You may continue to ride in your stodgy manner - it won't hurt a thing. You will never know what you re missing. Thump away at the rule book if it makes you feel better.

Caruso


I'm sure that all the drivers and cyclists killed or injured while ignoring the rules of the road are comforted by your lack of regard for the law.

And as for an example.. you are correct .. I don't have one handy.. what's usually reported is the motorist ploughing through a schoolyard or someone's bedroom when they lost control of their accelerator... oh well, you're not going to sway me and I'm not going to sway you.. I hope you have many safe rides ! :)

I'm sure that all the drivers and cyclists killed or injured while ignoring the rules of the road are comforted by your lack of regard for the law.

I'm not talking about ignoring the rules of the road, nor have I demonstrated any lack of regard for the law . . . just lack of regard for made up rules and your insistence on describing as illegal an act of mutual accommodation which is perfectly legal - but you refuse to admit that. Be stubborn if you wish or cite me one location anywhere (your own locale would be a nice example) where there is a law against one motorist or cyclist waving another through a four way stop.

You can't make such a citation, so, you go on about my supposed lack of regard for the law . . . classic stubbornness if ever I saw it.

I hope you have many a safe ride, too.

Caruso

The other day I came to a red stop light and was turning left. When it turned green the car opposite of me tried to let me go first. I know she was trying to be nice, but I wouldn't go for obvious reasons. This frustrates me because she had all the good intentions in the world, but society hadn't given her the skills to handle the situation. Any one else ever have an instance such as this?

All the time. Women mostly.

Most of it happens at 4 way stop signs and despite the fact I got my foot on the ground the woman on the left, who made her stop well before I did, still waits for me to go.

Ignore them and drink from your water bottle. Consequently, they figure it out and go.

I do prefer the "too nice" over the "plain stupid and dangerous" anyday. So I just wave them through with a smile. Some still don't go so I pretend there's something wrong with my chain and they eventually go through.

If someone waves me through and it's clear, I go, and mouth thank you with a nice wave. I'll do anything I can to give motorists the idea that we're not all redlight running couriers zipping in and out of traffic like we own the place.

The other day I came to a red stop light and was turning left. When it turned green the car opposite of me tried to let me go first. I know she was trying to be nice, but I wouldn't go for obvious reasons. This frustrates me because she had all the good intentions in the world, but society hadn't given her the skills to handle the situation. Any one else ever have an instance such as this?

I've read this entire thread, and still haven't come across an obvious reason...

If a motorist opposite me gives me a go-ahead sign on a green light and we're only talking a single lane and one yellow line, I'm gone, out of intersection, out of harms way, seeyah.

I don't really see the problem with extending courtesies to each other, regardless of what vehicle we're using, while out on the road. If everybody did that, most of the problems out there would evaporate.

Real life example of a situation I face everyday:

Coming out of my office, I climb a hill to a stop sign. At that stop, to my left, traffic is coming off an exit ramp to the freeway that passes our building – they have a stop sign and can proceed in any of three directions, left over the bridge that crosses the freeway, straight across my path and onto a ramp that leads back onto the freeway, or right to pass me and head down the hill to my office.

Oncoming does not stop – and can proceed in one of two directions, straight past me and down the hill towards my office, or (as does most oncoming traffic) left down the ramp to merge onto the freeway.

As a cyclist, I have only one choice (other than turning around), and that is to proceed through the intersection, continuing up hill over the crest of the bridge.

Now, as you can imagine, the off/on ramps are wide (shoulders are more than a car width on each side, and the whole affair opens up at the intersection so that there is plenty of space for truck traffic to make the turn, etc.

At rush hour, there is an almost steady stream of oncoming traffic (which, as I mentioned, does not have to stop) coming over the crest of that bridge to make a left torn onto the freeway. Most of the traffic coming off the freeway (from my left) wants to turn left and proceed in the same direction as my intended path.

Cars coming off the ramp have to contend with that steady stream of traffic coming across the bridge (from their left), and, of course, that traffic is oncoming to me, making a left turn across my path.

Because it is uphill for me and because the intersection is so wide, it is very difficult for me to grab an opening in that non-stopping traffic that is wide enough for me to accelerate uphill and actually get through before the next car comes.

On most days, drivers on the ramp and usually someone crossing the bridge will notice me and take pity. Drivers on the ramp will remain stopped, and drivers crossing the bridge to turn left in front of me will stop (holding up traffic behind them) and motion for me to go ahead and cross the intersection.

All of this happens in a matter of five seconds or so, and, without that level of courtesy and consideration, my path would be extremely dangerous as I crossed that intersection. Now, some of you may contend that we are all behaving dangerously; some may contend that those yielding their way are being too courteous, and one here will stubbornly maintain that we are all breaking the law.

I know for a fact that I owe my safety on a daily basis to those drivers who allow me to pass safely. BTW, there is no other way out of my office – we are located on a cul-de-sac.

Caruso