One of my newer pet peeves - It may have been President Jimmy who implemented the "right turn on red (after stop)" law to eliminate the fuel wasted waiting for a light to change. Am I the only one who gets caught behind those in the RH lane that intend to go straight?

this is a pet peeve of mine. nobody in the center lane. one driver in the right hand lane going straight. i want to turn right.

they say confession is good for the soul... i have, on a couple occasions, made a right on red from the center lane in front of one of those insufferable bastages. not saying that's proper behavior... and it definitely isn't. but i've done it.

-M

I used to live in a city where almost all of the major intersections had dedicated right and left turn lanes. I miss that. Now I'm stuck with this scenario...

Pet peeve? More than you can imagine.

I hate people who stop at the Walker exit going downtown.

Big green lit up arrow in front of them telling them to go left.. but they sit there clueless.

I always find it iritating when people REFUSE to turn left on red from a one way street to a one way street (perfectly legal).

I think that's less of a refusal and more of a confusion and fear problem.

Wow ... I am reading this after being the victim 2 mornings in a row. If you are going straight and no turn lane - move over. I wish people would learn how to drive.

Nows a good time for us to review:

http://www.dps.state.ok.us/dls/pub/ODM.pdf

Are you suggesting we, the complainers, are in the wrong? Or could it be those we're complaining against need the review? In which case, you're preaching to the choir.

In my estimation, nobody is in the wrong. I do think that we ALL could use a reminder of proper driving etiquette. Especially the ones being complained against.

Forgot my smiley. I had a refresher just before I moved here thinking they'd make me take the test, so I'm good.

Can I hijack a bit (just for a minute)? Another peeve is when the left turn lane isn't quite long enough, but there's still a "off-limits" painted section that people can use to get their cars out of the way so traffic doesn't back up quite so far and those turning left can still make the left-turn arrow. I don't understand why people can't use common sense and just get over out of the way. It may not technically be "lawful," but it just makes sense. Why????? Okay...rant/hijack over.

This drives me insane! Get over if you're not turning!

Or at least pull to the left and forward so we can squeeze by if there is ample room to do so.

People are so inconsiderate sometimes, they just don't think of anyone else ... ugh.

__________________
" You've Been Thunder Struck ! "

along those lines i love it when a motorist blocks traffic trying to turn left even though there's a designated turning lane.

or how about this... let's say that a business is on the corner of an intersection. the motorist trying to go there goes past the intersection and immediately tries to turn left into its parking lot thus blocking traffic... but all they needed to do was make a protected left at the intersection and then a quick right.

-M

I've never been able to figure this one out. Or more commonly (at least where I drive), they slow down almost to a complete stop before they finally commit to getting into the turn lane, forcing everyone behind them to come to a near-complete stop as well. Maybe someone can enlighten me as to the reason for this practice? Maybe they teach driver's ed differently here?

Definitely has got to be a lack of common sense about the best way to proceed, here. It's a whole lot easier to get into the parking lot the way you describe, too.

What I really like are the (can't really call them what I want to call them) ones that turn right at the light that says on the pole 'NO TURN ON RED'. Of course, there are only two that I know of in the city: Hefner Parkway exit at NW 63rd St. & May Ave./NW 63rd St. (west/eastbound only) intersection. It's one of those moments I'd be bustin people if I were a cop, but then again, that's more paperwork so nevermind.

I wish police would ticket people who enter intersections that they can not get out of.

Oh - but have you tried the northbound exits from Hefner Parkway onto either Britton Road and/or Memorial? Such joy. Such fun. There is a dedicated lane and signs that say "DO NOT STOP." But, what do people do? Stop anyway!!! Urgh.

There usually is a really good reason for not allowing any turns on red at a particular intersection, almost always safety-related, so if you were a cop bustin' people, you'd be doing those people a service. Who cares about the paperwork?

I happen to agree with the required stop on 63rd. There's a terrible blind spot in the right-hand lane, and during certain times of the day, when traffic is moving in and out of the adjacent office buildings, it's an absolute disaster.

I was wondering about one particulat scenario that was not spelled out in the manual. At intersections where there is a right-turn-only lane and one that is a straight or right-turn lane, can you make a right on red from the second lane? (See northbound Broadway at 2nd Street in Edmond)

or like eastbound NW Expwy at southbound Hefner Pkwy?
If the coast is clear, and you stay in your lane, I think you would be able to.

I think I jinxed myself. After posting my comment I've had it happen 3 times since noon yesterday.

Awww.....one of life's guilty pleasures! I hear ya M!

Wow! You all are going gangbusters on driving issues! I have to answer on 3 different things that were posted.

1) OKCDrummer77, it's my understanding that yes, you can make that right on the red as long as you stay in your own lane. However, make sure you pay really close attention, b/c the folks in the other turn lane tend to roll into what would be your lane (specifically speaking about 2nd & Broadway).

2) FritterGirl, though I haven't used the Hefner Pkwy to Memorial Road right turn recently, it's my recollection that it is not a dedicated lane, and merges into the oncoming traffic. Personally, I'm gonna stop. I may have to take a spin up there this weekend to make sure I'm remembering that correctly, but I know Memorial is only two lanes on each side, so it has to merge somewhere. Now Britton Road, I can totally agree.

3) For everyone complaining about people going straight in the right hand lane at an intersection (and I have definately complained before), think about the fact that the person in front of you may be needing to turn right immediately following the intersection. When I have to make a turn immediately after an intersection, I try to move as far to the left as I can and pull up as far as I can, but there's only so much someone can do. Yes, it's annoying, but what is the benefit to you getting peeved about it? Just makes you cranky. Seriously, just assume that person is going to immediately make a right turn after the intersection and it'll help lower your stress level.

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"The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them but to be indifferent to them: that’s the essence of inhumanity." -George Bernard Shaw

It would help if more intersections had right turn lanes. Seems like that's a rarity in OKC.