I bet they didn't teach this in drivers ed!

If a Judge dresses down an Officer (in public) for ENFORCING the law as written, I think the Judge is wrong.

And illegal IS illegal, if it weren't you would not have been pulled over in the first place. And just because an Officer or Judge does not "penalize" someone for it does not make it legal either.

And do you think 5-9 miles over is okay for a residential street or a school zone. Or is your interrpretation of "legal vs. illegal" just on certain roads.

And I am willing to bet when you are illegally speeding in a legal way , you hit the brakes just like everyone else when you drive by a police car.

 

No, my ticket was for real speeding, but in the country that is relative too.

I have a heirarchy of speeding. Residential/ school - I don't do it. On highways or 2-3 lanes then keep up with traffic. I still observe the laws that really matter such as signaling, sign obeyance, lane change laws. These are the things that cause accidents not speeding unless it's due to bad conditions or bad car maint.

 

You can argue about when it's right to turn illegally (and thumb your nose to your neighbors), and you can argue about imposing social justice by denying the offenders the ability to make those illegal turns, but what this argument seems to be coming down to me is this: criminal activity vs. vigilantism.

Neither is desirable, and we all do both in our lives--we just choose our opportunities.

As far as the illegal turn-makers go: until the turn is made legal you know you're wrong. Just own up to it. Don't waste your time rationalizing your selfish behaviors to the rest of us. Talk to your shrink.

Robzilla
"Whoa no. There goes Tokyo."

 

Thanks Rob, the vigilante aspect was going to be my next post. In a situation like this, 2 wrongs do not make it right.

And Steve, who knows, your retaliation bump could potentially lead to a serious accident/injury.

Would it be worth it????

 

hey... i guess some people think they are better than all of us.... their time is more valualbe than others, and their self importance is more than others. I believe this snotty attitude is what cause normal people to commit road rage. For the person who says the guy didn't have balls to turn from the center lane.... I hope you don't teach your kids your stupit thouights and opinions!

 

rdskns99 - first of all you need to recognize how a forum like this works before labeling someone "stupit". If you go back and look, there is a after that remark which indicates I was making the comment as a joke.

And for what it is worth, I do not condone the illegal turn. However, the ENFORCEMENT should be left to the police.

And even though it really is not related, Yes, I am better than you.

So, lighten up Francis!

 

I take the LEGAL right turn every day ... I always sit in the correct line and listen to the ipod as I wait my turn. The people in the center lane really tweak me. They know they are doing wrong as well as they look straight ahead with a steely resolve "I will not look at you and risk you sending daggers with your eyes because I know I am being a jerk". What is REALLY stupid is they make that illegal turn during the red cycle too.

I happened to be making my LEGAL turn the other day while a modo bus made his illeagal turn at the same time and squeezed me into a very uncomforable spot. Near accident. THATS why that turn is bad.

 

i wrote to the transportation dept and this issue is being discussed at the next meeting with vdot. if vdot approves it, it will become a turning lane and we lawless hooligans who turn from the center lane will be free of guilt...

Ciao,

Redon1

 

...free of guilt and potential court appearances.

 

And I'll be there in the center lane turning right with you.

Of course, once that change happens, the folks who think the current law doesn't apply for them will start rationalizing why they should be able to turn right from the left turn lane. [xx(]

Robzilla
"Whoa no. There goes Tokyo."

 

Sheriff was out in force at LCP and Waxpool this morning around 8:30AM. They pulled over almost every car who turned from the center lane of northbound LCP onto eastbound Waxpool. My neighbor said they gave him a ticket for making a right turn on red without stopping. Apparently its OK to make a right turn from center lane as long as the light is green.

 

wow- i wodered what that was all about. glad i go straight in the morning at that intersection...

 

I checked with the state police and it's actually legal to take a right turn from the center lane when the light is green as long as there are not any arrows on the stoplight or road indicating otherwise. You cannot, however, make a right on red from the center lane legally. VDOT should put up some markers though--that would help traffic congestion so everyone won't line up in the far right-hand turning lane.

 

I can see that creating a TON of road rage...if i'm turning from the center lane (legally) I just KNOW that the right hand lane is going to move over into my lane during the turn to try and run me off the road....sorry just lack of faith with NOVA drivers and thier tempers.

 

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/manual/manual.pdf

I could find nothing about the center lane turning right if unmarked, but thought we could all use a refresher on the rules

 

You may not make a right turn from a center lane unless it is marked as a turn and through lane. If you cause an accident because someone makes a right turn from the right turn lane and moves into the left lane, you will be cited. The only reason you feel a need to turn right from a center lane is because you think your time is more valuable than anyone else's and can't wait in the right turn lane with everyone else.

 

I can see the situation unfolding now: "Officer, I'm sorry I caused that accident. I sure hope those kids in the minivan will be all right. I was SURE that I could turn right from the center lane, even though there was no road markings or signs telling me otherwise. Look, I even have a print-out from my HOA member forum saying it's okay to turn from the center lane..."

 

What's that burning smell? Flamewar!