Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Funkybeatzzz t1_ivaib1f wrote

I have to agree with cranky pants on this one. Doing something unexpected while driving, even if it’s something nice like letting them go, causes confusion and most times makes the whole interaction longer than if you would’ve just kept driving. This situation reminds me of the TV show The Good Place where people only do nice things to get their “moral dessert”, in this case your dessert is getting that smile or wave. The roads would be much safer if people just followed the rules and didn’t do nice things.

43

dagaetch t1_ivaq5bl wrote

I was taught "Don't be polite, be predictable" when driving.

14

[deleted] t1_ivc2c5j wrote

[deleted]

2

Funkybeatzzz t1_ivcfuo0 wrote

OMFG! I don’t think most people know what a yield sign means. Total disregard for it and people will road rage you if you expect them to wait for you, the person with the right of way. The Newton Corner “Circle of Death” is prime example of this.

2

Appropriate-XBL t1_ivajxsp wrote

I think you’re right, that everything would just be better if people followed the right-of-way rules, but ignoring these rules seems to be the standard in and around Boston at least. People constantly stop and let cars in.

It’s odd, because so many people told me the drivers would be hyper aggressive before I got here. But they’re not, for the most part. What I see mostly is comically bad/inattentive driving, and… people letting people in when they should just go. It’s like everyone is being too… nice?

Also, as a non-native, I wonder if the pandemic changed the way people drive here. Was this total disregard for right-of-way laws common before the pandemic?

13

New_Accountant1884 t1_ivanshi wrote

Recently moved here from CA. I am in shock at how people drive out here.

1

Appropriate-XBL t1_ivao0ij wrote

It’s soooo bad. I drive rarely and not very far, but I can always depend on seeing at least one crazy thing for every two or three miles covered.

2

Lucybruin t1_ivc25pb wrote

The political climate, as well, as the pandemic have brought out the worst in most people. All of a sudden, it’s OK to have swear words written all over your car Cartoons of people pissing on other people bumper stickers of machine guns, which I guess are supposed to be intimidating. It’s not just Boston. It’s everywhere in Massachusetts. I don’t see how It could change. You do your best. I’ll do mine. Good luck.

1

TeaHatter t1_ivcuurx wrote

Definitely made it worse. The amount of traffic buildup because no one knows how to navigate roadways here is infuriating. looking at you specifically, 3-S/95-N loop

1

Seaworthiness222 t1_ivayepa wrote

When you let someone go, you should always make sure it's not totally clear behind you (and that the vehicles behind you are at a decent distance).

The other guy is right but was being cranky about you doing something a bit silly.

Stopping to let people go is advanced level driving. If you do it wrong you are fucking stuff up more than if you just did nothing.

When you get trained by a company (like Fed Ex, Verizon, etc) you are advised to NOT stop for people as it causes more accidents than not.

3