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Message |
    
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13127
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 5:31 pm: | 
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Rather than trashing other people for their driving, let me trash myself now.
The intersection of Plymouth Ave and Ivy Terrace is a weird one. It's very wide, and no matter where you enter from, you have the impression that you have the right of way. In fact, no one does. There are no stop or yield signs. There are "caution" signs before the intersection, which have no effect.
About three weeks ago, when we got the last big snowfall, I entered it, going west on Plymouth. Someone going south on Ivy Terrace entered it right before me. He was on my right. I panicked and hit my horn and my brakes. In response, he changed direction and turned right onto Plymouth, so that he was going my way, but ahead of me. We both stopped, and we didn't collide. I was shaken, because my brakes didn't work well.
I passed him, and he made a U turn and went back onto Ivy Terrace.
It took a week or so to realize that if we had collided, it would have been mostly my fault, since 1. he was on the right, and 2. he entered the intersection first.
Sometimes, we blame the "other guy" in these close calls, but sometimes we're wrong.
So if that was you, I'm sorry.
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WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3332
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 5:37 pm: |
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Actually, Tom, I think it would probably be appropriate to put most of the blame for that one on the stupid intersection. I hate it. Always have.
I always approach that one (from any one of 5 different directions) real slow and check in every possible direction before proceeding--ever so slowly. |
Spare_o
Supporter
Username: Spare_o
Post Number: 380
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 6:39 pm: |
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Tom--Hope you got your brakes checked. |
lah
Citizen
Username: Lah
Post Number: 403
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 8:12 pm: |
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Tom, some years back that intersection was the subject of a thread entitled something like "Wagonwheel". I think it was a soapbox thread and it was a neighbor trying to get signage there. As Wendy said, it's a bad intersection. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13130
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 9:57 pm: |
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I could blame the intersection, but that would be irresponsible. I know the pitfalls there and am normally cautious. I know better.
I was shaken for a long time afterwards, thinking it was his fault. It took a lot of thinking later to realize it was mine. I could have changed course, but it didn't occur to me in the heat of the moment.
My brakes are fine. The surface was covered with snow and ice at the time. My speed was excessive, given the conditions.
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aquaman
Supporter
Username: Aquaman
Post Number: 792
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:03 am: |
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Tom,
That's all the time we have for today.
Next week same time?
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13135
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:20 am: |
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Sure, you're welcome to resume reading my ramblings next week. Or any time, for that matter.
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Oldstone
Citizen
Username: Rogers4317
Post Number: 646
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:55 am: |
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aquaman is hot  |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3354
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:06 am: |
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Or at least he was in 1978! |
Joe R.
Citizen
Username: Ragnatela
Post Number: 329
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 4:39 pm: |
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Tom: Go forth my son, and sin no more. For your penance you shall abstain from posting on MOL for one full week. Father Joe |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13145
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 4:43 pm: |
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Occasionally, I'm glad I'm not Catholic. But I will ask for your forgiveness and offer you restitution before Yom Kippur rolls around.
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Michael
Citizen
Username: Michael
Post Number: 827
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 5:37 pm: |
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I just almost sneezed.
(thought i'd put it out there)
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13151
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 5:38 pm: |
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OK, we can go back to trashing other people if you like, rather than introspection. I guess it's more interesting, entertaining, whatever.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13154
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 9:26 pm: |
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OK, the point, since it was so far from obvious, is that we are all fallible, and while we may be accurate to criticize other people's driving, we also make the kinds of mistakes that we criticize. That leads me to believe that we should be forgiving of others and patient and forebearing.
But if making fun of me is what you're after, have at it.
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CLK
Supporter
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 2059
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 8:25 am: |
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Tom - so, so true and something to always bear in mind.
I actually found your story interesting. I also quite unintentionally ran a red light right around the time you posted about that - and I was kind of hoping you hadn't seen me and posted about that!!
There was a big vehicle in front of me and I couldn't see the light until it was too late to realize that he had run the yellow leading me to run the red. Don't tell me I was too close - after all, we'd all been stopped at a traffic light, and I couldn't really leave enough room so that I could see the light. (situtaion was a long line of cars going through the light from a stop - I was the last person to go through.)
Anyway I was pretty scared, but also felt guilty about it (though I really don't know what I could have done to avoid it). |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13158
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 9:37 am: |
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I don't think we're supposed to enter an intersection until we can see various things, including the light. Does that help?
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las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1358
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 9:58 am: |
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Tom, that intersection is known as Five Corners and is an accident waiting to happen.
From your original post I'm still not sure you 'made' him turn onto Plymouth. You can't know what was going on that car, if the driver knew where he was going, or what kind of distractions he had. If he were at complete attention he likely wouldn't have been startled and veered off course.
CLK, your post makes me realize I judge drivers: seeing a sedan pass through the red light I'd have rolled my eyes and mumbled you should pay attention. If you had been in an SUV or on the phone, I'd have had choice words. |
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