July 16, 2025

traffic hazards

Today’s first world pet peeve: Drivers who don’t use their turn signals. Like 80% of the drivers approaching the t-junction by the train station don’t signal. Then I don’t know if they’re going to turn left (I have to stop for them) or right (I can continue across the street without losing walking uptime).

I don’t know if they’re always that bad at using their turn signals, or they just don’t acknowledge the personhood of pedestrians (“there’s no one around, I don’t have to signal”). Not sure which is worse. I often wish that if one didn’t put on their turn signal, the car wouldn’t turn. This wouldn’t actually be a good idea, for safety reasons—e.g., a driver might need to swerve unexpectedly to avoid an obstacle—but it would sure get drivers to signal at intersections.

While I’m complaining, here’s another public menace: bikes on sidewalks. While I was downtown yesterday, a lady rode up behind me, ringing her bell for me and all the other pedestrians to get out of her way. There’s literally a bike lane a few feet away!! Use it!! I didn’t say anything, but the guy next to me called out “You’re ON the SIDEWALK,” which was very gratifying.

Written by Achaius

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