The regional rules they aren't going to teach you in drivers education

[Ghoste]

Thought about this one today and I know every locality has them.  Here is one for anyone visiting Ontario.

If you are travelling in an area where there are multiple lanes of opposed traffic and there is a Tim Hortons coming up on your left, do NOT remain in the left lane of travel in your direction.  There will always be some jackass pulling in for coffee no matter the time and you will be stuck behind them.  If traffic is heavy enough from the opposite direction it could be several minutes before you can move again.
This applies to a lesser degree if it is on the right and you are in the right lane.
I would also add that in my hometown, if there is a left turn lane (a suicide lane as they are somtimes called), do not assume you will escape this rule.  Left turns lanes here apparently mean that you first come to a FULL stop in the travelling lane and then after waiting a sufficient period of time and the other way is clear for your turn, you then proceed into the left turn lane from where you will then make your turn into wherever.

[JB400]

Those funny looking red octagon signs that are normally posted at intersections that say "stop", are for decoration purposes only.  You might slow down for those that have a dip or have a lot of other cars going through it as well.  Red lights are the only reason to stop, most of the time.

If you do stop, wait till the last minute to decide to do it.

Speed limit signs:  Senior citizens are mandated to go 10 mph under what has been posted.  Everyone else is supposed to go 10 mph over.  Police officers are required to 20 over.  Running the speed limit gets you an angry look from everyone else.  

Left lane only lanes:  If the other lanes get the green light but you don't, go anyway.

All drivers are required to have their cell phones out at all times while operating motor vehicle.  Food and other items in use are up to the driver.

Pull into the middle of the intersection while under green, but wait for oncoming traffic to finish going through, thus blocking traffic.  If light turns red, proceed with going through the intersection anyway.

[Tilar]

Another thing to remember about Seniors is that you always drive in the left lane with your turn signal on. I think it's in the book somewhere.

[Troy]

I grew up in Ohio and started my driving career here and in Illinois/Iowa. When I moved to Utah I was appalled at all the people making U-turns! And then I found out they are legal there. (Many of the roads are divided - we don't have that many here.)

As for people doing stupid things while driving (common or not), I believe it happens everywhere. People are so self-absorbed and unaware of their surroundings that they really have no idea (nor care) that they are affecting the drivers around them.

However, some of my favorites are...
1. Veering the opposite direction of your turn when approaching. For example: Why can't people make a right turn without weaving left initially? If you're driving an old race car this can help with traction but entering the McDonalds in your minivan doesn't really require it.
2. Waiting to get to the intersection (or very close) before fully entering the turning lane that has existed for 400'. Similar to the above where there is a lane specifically to remove slow/stopped cars from the flow of traffic yet the driver feels the need to come to a near complete stop before entering this lane OR leave the back end of their car hanging out in traffic once stopped.
3. Stopping well past the line at an intersection (usually by getting caught at the light), thereby blocking the left turn lane (at the very least) or a whole lane going straight. Even worse, refusing to back up out of the way. I, unfortunately, did this once on a near deserted road at Carlisle because I didn't want to run the red light in front of a cop. Instead he pulled me over because I was too far forward to trip the signal. Yep, felt like a fool - but I didn't annoy/impede anyone else in the process!
4. More with intersections... in heavy traffic, creeping into the intersection knowing the light is going to turn red and then sitting there blocking everyone else (in 3 directions) until traffic moves again because you can't be bothered to sit through a whole red light (but it's ok to make 100 other people miss their green!).
5. Hitting the blinker while simultaneously changing lanes. As if the mere act of using the signal gives you uncontested right to whatever lane you've chosen. This only really works if you're driving something bigger than everything else on the road!
6. Drive at or below the speed limit yet blow through every yellow/red light. I see this ALL THE TIME! Trust me, the car will stop in plenty of time at those speeds. It must be that it takes so long to get anywhere at "turtle speed" that they can't possibly waste time sitting at a light. The opposite I suppose is speeding and slamming on the brakes at the first sign of yellow. There's a high probability of clearing the intersection before the light goes red - and you're less likely to get shoved into traffic by the front bumper of the trailing car(s). This is exacerbated by municipalities with red light cameras where they've shortened the yellow "for safety".
7. Running a red light with a "train". It never fails that just about the time I think "there's no way I'm making this light" that I look in my rear view mirror and see, not one, but four or five cars following me. I have a theory on this but it will have to wait. Makes the second scenario in the previous example really scary.
8. Turning into the far lane. This is even more entertaining when there are multiple turn lanes and the inside drivers push the outside drivers into a parking lot - or everyone comes to a stop.
9. Treating turns like straight lines. It works like this: as soon as the car starts to move, immediately point it directly toward your destination across the intersection. Then, once you get there, crank the wheel as hard as you can so you don't miss your lane. It's way easier than turning the wheel just enough to create a smooth arc from one point to another. Bonus points if you cut through the first two car lengths of the turning lane AND/OR end up in the far lane.

All for now.

Troy

[hemigeno]

Those funny looking red octagon signs that are normally posted at intersections that say "stop", are for decoration purposes only.  You might slow down for those that have a dip or have a lot of other cars going through it as well.  Red lights are the only reason to stop, most of the time.

Stop signs with a white border are optional. 



I know this is true, because I read it on the internet somewhere and it matches what people do.

[polywideblock]

However, some of my favorites are...
1. Veering the opposite direction of your turn when approaching. For example: Why can't people make a right turn without weaving left initially? If you're driving an old race car this can help with traction but entering the McDonalds in your minivan doesn't really require it.

its called the "Scandinavian flick "      they've been watching top gear 

[JB400]

I'll be the first to admit that I do that, but only because the turns are too sharp.  I like to make a little wider ark, but only when it won't affect others.

[J.Bond]

Thought about this one today and I know every locality has them.  Here is one for anyone visiting Ontario.

If you are travelling in an area where there are multiple lanes of opposed traffic and there is a Tim Hortons coming up on your left, do NOT remain in the left lane of travel in your direction.  There will always be some jackass pulling in for coffee no matter the time and you will be stuck behind them.  If traffic is heavy enough from the opposite direction it could be several minutes before you can move again.
This applies to a lesser degree if it is on the right and you are in the right lane.
I would also add that in my hometown, if there is a left turn lane (a suicide lane as they are somtimes called), do not assume you will escape this rule.  Left turns lanes here apparently mean that you first come to a FULL stop in the travelling lane and then after waiting a sufficient period of time and the other way is clear for your turn, you then proceed into the left turn lane from where you will then make your turn into wherever.

Shawn,

This has been an on going problem for years now, It drives me nuts. I just do not know why Tim's has that effect on the general public. Must be the nicotine added to the coffee mix. It's like every time your near a Timmy's you have to sharpen up your awareness, because there will all ways be some idiot crossing 6 lanes of traffic to get in line. Cannot tell you how many times I have almost been taken out by a tims patron. So much so, you would be hard pressed to find me at one. One year  on route to Moparfest a fellow member here, jammed on his brakes, out of know where, just because, OMG there's a Timmy's. Good thing I was on the ball, I knew there was a tim's ahead and like usual, was prepared. Response from member, Oh S--t, Sorry, you have disc brakes ?, reply, NO.......

[wingcar]

The Rules and Regulations that your local Department of Motor Vehicles publishes are...
"Suggestions only".... 

(Does anyone know how to drive when it come to the infamous "Traffic Circle"  apparently here in Arizona must don't seem to know the difference between a "Yield" and a "Stop" sign.....)

[Ghoste]

Thought about this one today and I know every locality has them.  Here is one for anyone visiting Ontario.

If you are travelling in an area where there are multiple lanes of opposed traffic and there is a Tim Hortons coming up on your left, do NOT remain in the left lane of travel in your direction.  There will always be some jackass pulling in for coffee no matter the time and you will be stuck behind them.  If traffic is heavy enough from the opposite direction it could be several minutes before you can move again.
This applies to a lesser degree if it is on the right and you are in the right lane.
I would also add that in my hometown, if there is a left turn lane (a suicide lane as they are somtimes called), do not assume you will escape this rule.  Left turns lanes here apparently mean that you first come to a FULL stop in the travelling lane and then after waiting a sufficient period of time and the other way is clear for your turn, you then proceed into the left turn lane from where you will then make your turn into wherever.

Shawn,

This has been an on going problem for years now, It drives me nuts. I just do not know why Tim's has that effect on the general public. Must be the nicotine added to the coffee mix. It's like every time your near a Timmy's you have to sharpen up your awareness, because there will all ways be some idiot crossing 6 lanes of traffic to get in line. Cannot tell you how many times I have almost been taken out by a tims patron. So much so, you would be hard pressed to find me at one. One year  on route to Moparfest a fellow member here, jammed on his brakes, out of know where, just because, OMG there's a Timmy's. Good thing I was on the ball, I knew there was a tim's ahead and like usual, was prepared. Response from member, Oh S--t, Sorry, you have disc brakes ?, reply, NO.......

I know right?  Its like taking a kid past a toy department at Christmas, their brain just totally shuts off.  And its the patrons leaving too because now they don't feel the need to wait so they just pull into traffic without even seeing if there is some first.

My other favorite here right now are roundabouts.  I think as they get used to them it will become okay but they are just beginning to appear here so currently people are treating them like four way stops with a strange divider in the center.  And if they need that 90 degree left, there is no going around the circle you just drive over to it.  Fortunately because they are stopping first and checking for traffic there haven't been any head ons yet that I know of.

[J.Bond]

It's like taking a kid past a toy department at Christmas,  their brain just totally shuts off

Bang on!!!!!!!!!! What do you want ?, a double double

Yup , round abouts, don't ever think, people in front of you know what their doing. Had some woman jam on her brakes half way around the other day, just because another car approached the intersection. I knew she was going to do something stupid prior to entering the intersection. How....
She had obviously cleaned her windshield sometime earlier, however, had not turned off her delayed wipers, as the were running doing nothing, for as long as she was in front of me.

Don't they have an increased intelligence app for I phone owners,  I wish they would..

[Ghoste]

They do, its called turn it off and leave it at home.

[J.Bond]