The Bad Drivers of Ontario Thread

[Malks]

Here's an example of when I act differently, when signalling to make a turn.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

When I take this exit lane I will signal to move into it, then turn off my signal. If I'm going to turn into the gas station I'll signal roughly 100' before. If I'm going straight to Kennedy and turning then my signal stays off until I'm past the gas station. In the previous scenario that I posted about there is not sufficient distance to do that, IMO. No distance, in fact.

I've tried that same manoeuvre on First Street. Signal my move into new right/through lane, turn off signal right away, then turn it on again immediately after the mall entrance. It only works if there is no one waiting to exit the mall. This action also can cause a conflict with those waiting to make their north-to-west left turn into the mall, since they also see it as a gap in traffic and go for it.

This location is made worse because there are left turns allowed both into and out of this entrance. Plus there is another plaza across First Street and their driveway lines up opposite the mall entrance. Unbelievably some people try to drive straight across First street between the two. These entrances are within 40m of the intersection. The centre median should really extend farther north and block through and left turn movements in this area. That would eliminate some of the conflicts, but not the signal to enter the right turn lane issue that started this conversation.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

I've tried that same manoeuvre on First Street. Signal my move into new right/through lane, turn off signal right away, then turn it on again immediately after the mall entrance. It only works if there is no one waiting to exit the mall. This action also can cause a conflict with those waiting to make their north-to-west left turn into the mall, since they also see it as a gap in traffic and go for it.

This location is made worse because there are left turns allowed both into and out of this entrance. Plus there is another plaza across First Street and their driveway lines up opposite the mall entrance. Unbelievably some people try to drive straight across First street between the two. These entrances are within 40m of the intersection. The centre median should really extend farther north and block through and left turn movements in this area. That would eliminate some of the conflicts, but not the signal to enter the right turn lane issue that started this conversation.

Seattle has a fix for this, in areas that have a lot of commercial driveways. They bar left turns with a short, narrow curb that runs down the centre, where there wouldn't be enough room for a proper median. They then have advanced greens, with signs that explicitly permit U-turns at those intersections. it works quite well and you never have to worry about some left turner taking you out, when some well meaning moron lets them through. Sometimes that 'median' is as little as 8" wide.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Seattle Sea-Tac Airport · 19631 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188

âââââ · Hotel

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[FullMotoJacket]

Well this is something you don't see every day. First time I've ever seen a Screaming Yellow SCUD Missile pulled over. Ever.

 

[matthew]

Majority of Canadians admit to speeding, driving over the limit: poll

In recent years, automated speed cameras have become more prevalent on city streets, often nabbing drivers for exceeding the speed limit.

toronto.citynews.ca

 

[GreyGhost]

Majority of Canadians admit to speeding, driving over the limit: poll

In recent years, automated speed cameras have become more prevalent on city streets, often nabbing drivers for exceeding the speed limit.

toronto.citynews.ca

Not at all surprised. It's a circle of stupidity. Design roads for high travel speeds and continue to reduce the number on the signs for political reasons and then act surprised when people "speed" even though they are travelling the design speed of the road. Idiots.

 

[FullMotoJacket]

I'm either speeding or I'm stopped. And why wouldn't anyone when municipalities idiot for-bog-sake-think-of-the-squirrels! commie overlords like Hamilton councilors arbitrarily set artificially low speed limits like this. I mean come on. The speed limit through the downtown Aldershot business district is 60kmh. 60kmh in the countryside is effin' stupid.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Not at all surprised. It's a circle of stupidity. Design roads for high travel speeds and continue to reduce the number on the signs for political reasons and then act surprised when people "speed" even though they are travelling the design speed of the road. Idiots.

When my family moved to Brampton, in the early '70s, Dixie Road was a 2 lane cattle track with a 50MPH (80Kmh) speed limit. Now it's a 6 lane virtual highway with a 60 Kmh limit.

 

[GreyGhost]

I'm a little sad the truck didn't hammer him. People like that don't learn. It is only a matter of time before they kill someone (unless they die first).

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=566400146111841

 

[Dirty Frank]

Damn pesky beavers.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Damn pesky beavers.

Rather interestingly, the incident that they cite as one of the things spurring the safety campaign involved a car travelling at more than double the speed limit, as determined during the crash reconstruction. Reduced speed limits, cameras, and bicycle lanes don't stop those people. As I need to say more and more, these days, this is governance by sound-bite.

 

[nobbie48]

Damn pesky beavers.

More bike lanes coming. It's a bit secretive but some living near High Park consider it THEIR park. They don't want others using it. Most of High Park was land donated to the people of Toronto as a place to get away from cramped quarters.

 

[nobbie48]

I'm a little sad the truck didn't hammer him. People like that don't learn. It is only a matter of time before they kill someone (unless they die first).

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=566400146111841

I'm with you in concept, flatten him. However the after effects of having your day taken up with police reports etc, then days, weeks or months to get your vehicle back, loss of income (Insurance screws you). Then there's the off chance of a kid somewhere in the vehicle and even if it's not your fault they got hurt, it affects you.

Fortunately there was a good shoulder for the film vehicle, otherwise it would have been a single vehicle crash the fault of the operator.

Not only did the jerk fail to yield, his turn was so sloppy he went onto the far shoulder and passed on a caution line.

 

[GreyGhost]

U-turn right into path of LRT in Kitchener.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=786306653624986

 

[Wingboy]

24 crashes, 1 fatal since 2019. You wouldn't think train and car traffic would be that tough to manage.

At least 24 crashes involving ION LRT since inception in 2019

Since Waterloo Region’s LRT started operating in the summer of 2019 there have been a number of crashes involving ION trains.

kitchener.ctvnews.ca

 

[GreyGhost]

24 crashes, 1 fatal since 2019. You wouldn't think train and car traffic would be that tough to manage.

At least 24 crashes involving ION LRT since inception in 2019

Since Waterloo Region’s LRT started operating in the summer of 2019 there have been a number of crashes involving ION trains.

kitchener.ctvnews.ca

At least it was ION and not a motorcycle. Obviously that driver needs a hard reset in their situational awareness and driving skills.

 

[Baggsy]

Rather interestingly, the incident that they cite as one of the things spurring the safety campaign involved a car travelling at more than double the speed limit, as determined during the crash reconstruction. Reduced speed limits, cameras, and bicycle lanes don't stop those people. As I need to say more and more, these days, this is governance by sound-bite.

Cyclists won’t be happy either. We put you in a new bike lane. Why? Cars are speeding. WTF?
That’s not a good reason for bike lanes.
Last time I was on Parkside, I felt the speed limit should be in the 60-70 range. There a couple of problematic spots that the city will never deal with.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Cyclists won’t be happy either. We put you in a new bike lane. Why? Cars are speeding. WTF?
That’s not a good reason for bike lanes.
Last time I was on Parkside, I felt the speed limit should be in the 60-70 range. There a couple of problematic spots that the city will never deal with.

Sometimes I feel like the more radical cycling advocates, in Toronto, won't be happy until there's protected bike lanes on every street and riding a bike gets you where you're going faster than a car, if cars are even permitted. Then again these are the ones who only read the HTA the way that they want it to read, rather than how it actually does.

If the bicycle lanes were actually only on secondary roads and side streets, and the main thoroughfares were cleared and brought up to a more reasonable speed, then I think that everyone would be safer. All the garbage that's being pushed onto the main roads is what causes the congestion, pushing speeders onto those side streets.

 

[GreyGhost]

Sometimes I feel like the more radical cycling advocates, in Toronto, won't be happy until there's protected bike lanes on every street and riding a bike gets you where you're going faster than a car, if cars are even permitted. Then again these are the ones who only read the HTA the way that they want it to read, rather than how it actually does.

If the bicycle lanes were actually only on secondary roads and side streets, and the main thoroughfares were cleared and brought up to a more reasonable speed, then I think that everyone would be safer. All the garbage that's being pushed onto the main roads is what causes the congestion, pushing speeders onto those side streets.

A bike is far faster than a car in Toronto without bike lanes and obeying all laws. Bike lanes and ignoring some laws makes them way faster. In Toronto proper (not the old burbs like Scarberia), cars and TTC average close to walking speed.

I agree with you, I still think bike lanes on secondary roads could be a great solution for everybody. Unfortunately way too many emotions and too many people would rather play fun with stats than look at reality (on both sides).

 

[Rob MacLennan]

A bike is far faster than a car in Toronto without bike lanes and obeying all laws. Bike lanes and ignoring some laws makes them way faster. In Toronto proper (not the old burbs like Scarberia), cars and TTC average close to walking speed. I agree with you, I still think bike lanes on secondary roads could be a great solution for everybody. Unfortunately way too many emotions and too many people would rather play fun with stats than look at reality (on both sides).

That whole "governance by sound-bite" thing again. Politicians who want to build support with specific groups or who have this hidebound doctrine over something, so won't try a little logic once in a while.

 

[nobbie48]

A bike is far faster than a car in Toronto without bike lanes and obeying all laws. Bike lanes and ignoring some laws makes them way faster. In Toronto proper (not the old burbs like Scarberia), cars and TTC average close to walking speed.

I agree with you, I still think bike lanes on secondary roads could be a great solution for everybody. Unfortunately way too many emotions and too many people would rather play fun with stats than look at reality (on both sides).

It would be interesting to look at the travel times over a whole year, 24/7. Include allowances for older people that might be using adult trikes.

This whole thing is a crap fest based on athletic people using the lanes in optimum conditions.

Fix the public transit system. Fix the bad driver system. Fix the "Gotta work downtown" mentality. Fix obesity. Do those and the need for bike lanes will disappear.