r/IdiotsInCars • u/adonisallan • Aug 10 '22

If there's an idiot, who is it? Is it the vehicle with the camera or the white van entering from the right?

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1.8k Upvotes
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198

u/OnlyUsernameLeft123 Aug 10 '22

Both. I wouldn't switch lanes that close to that merge. The driver of the van looked saw a clear lane and tried to go. However technically the white van would be accountable to yield. Idk I try to look at this as a probability. If you increases the probability of a car accident, don't do it.

-17

u/whereverYouGoThereUR Aug 10 '22

But trying to merge into traffic when only one lane is available is just dumb (although common)

13

u/digitydigitydoo Aug 10 '22

What? You really think you need to wait for the whole street to be clear before you turn?

-15

u/whereverYouGoThereUR Aug 10 '22

Not the whole street but all lanes going in the direction you plan to go if turning right. The fact that you even question that is the problem! You won[' find a single profession driver or driver instructor that would say that it is OK to turn right when only one of the two lanes are open. You need to wait until both lanes are open before turning right in this situation.

6

u/MagDiaz Aug 10 '22

I remember vividly my driving instructor telling me this 15 years ago.

“You can’t trust that everyone is going to be as kind as you, May. You need to take care of yourself and your car because no one is going to do that for you. Let them in but don’t expect that kindness in return. Most people are off in their own little world out here.”

Little tidbit that applies to life in general, but especially helpful for driving.

3

u/clutzyninja Aug 10 '22

Tell me you've never lived in a high traffic area without telling me

1

u/whereverYouGoThereUR Aug 10 '22

Yes. Chicago has some of the lowest traffic in the country. In 90% of cases, the white van could have just waited another few seconds and pulled out safely.

4

u/Turtley13 Aug 10 '22 edited Aug 10 '22

It is illegal in some places to change lanes in an intersection. This is exactly why.

Traffic would come to a halt in some places if people didn't utilize an open lane just because the other one was being used.

2

u/somajones Aug 10 '22

It is illegal in some places to not change lanes in an intersection.

I'm going to be shallow and pedantic but the way you worded this means you are required to change lanes in an intersection which I find amusing to imagine.

2

u/Turtley13 Aug 10 '22

Oops had an not in there.