Stupid People
By much2say
@much2say (53954)
Los Angeles, California
March 25, 2024 1:30pm CST
My topic today is the opposite of @TheHorse 's latest post. While there are indeed nice people out there, I do encounter the stupid ones 
.
I was driving home and was needing to make a left hand turn. There were 2 cars in front of me in the left turn lane. Generally, at least here, when the light has turned red and it is safe, 2 cars can make the left turn.
That is what I was taught anyway. But somehow over the years 3 or 4 cars are now pushing the turn well after the light turns red . . . and this is after cars are gunning through a red light on the other side 
. Somehow this has become the norm 
.
Anyhow, as the 2 cars in front of me were slow trying to turn, I judged that I wouldn't make this light as it was already red, so I did not proceed. The truck in back of me honked like nuts because I didn't go. He immediately pulled out of the lane and went to the right lane next to me. What, was he intending to cut me off and make a left in front of me when the light turned green?
That is exactly what he tried to do. But I didn't let him 
.
After I turned, he turned (from the wrong lane), and it appeared he was following me. I don't know if he really was, but I drove towards another direction to get rid of him.
Yep. This is how driving can be here. Stupid people - stupid drivers. And this is only 1 of many incidents this morning .
Do you encounter stupid people or stupid drivers in your daily life ?
.
I was driving home and was needing to make a left hand turn. There were 2 cars in front of me in the left turn lane. Generally, at least here, when the light has turned red and it is safe, 2 cars can make the left turn.
That is what I was taught anyway. But somehow over the years 3 or 4 cars are now pushing the turn well after the light turns red . . . and this is after cars are gunning through a red light on the other side . Somehow this has become the norm .
Anyhow, as the 2 cars in front of me were slow trying to turn, I judged that I wouldn't make this light as it was already red, so I did not proceed. The truck in back of me honked like nuts because I didn't go. He immediately pulled out of the lane and went to the right lane next to me. What, was he intending to cut me off and make a left in front of me when the light turned green?
That is exactly what he tried to do. But I didn't let him .
After I turned, he turned (from the wrong lane), and it appeared he was following me. I don't know if he really was, but I drove towards another direction to get rid of him.
Yep. This is how driving can be here. Stupid people - stupid drivers. And this is only 1 of many incidents this morning .
Do you encounter stupid people or stupid drivers in your daily life ?28 people like this
26 responses
@LadyDuck (458458)
• Switzerland
28 Mar
@TheHorse Yes, Swiss respect the laws a lot more than Italians do. If someone in front of you does not move it's fine to flash te car lights. I think to remember that it was allowed in your country to turn right even on a red light, it is not allowed here in Switzerland.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (206020)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Mar
Are people law-abiding when it comes to things like stoplights in Switzerland? I actually drove in Italy when I visited my sister years ago! The drivers there were pretty aggressive, but they did flash their lights when they wanted you to move out of the way in the left lane.
2 people like this
@rebelann (111223)
• El Paso, Texas
25 Mar
Oh yeah, too blasted many to count. The problem here is that all too often some jerk gets on I10 doing maybe 30 mph and immediately changes lanes right in front of an 18 wheeler doing the speed limit, 60 mph, which causes that truck to try to slow down enough not to hit that jerk. This is why I'm using Instacart for now because the traffic is so badly backed up that any jerk that's pulling in front of people is making a bad situation worse. The last time I was on I10 going east some jerk decided to go about 10 mph even though there were no cars in front of him and the speed limit was 45mph.
BTW, 
for not letting that Bozo pull in front of you from the wrong lane.
for not letting that Bozo pull in front of you from the wrong lane.2 people like this
@much2say (53954)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Mar
Ohhh, that's dangerous! They can't judge distance and time at the speed in which they're going - that goes for slow AND speedster drivers. The idiots here will go way too fast and go in lanes/islands/shoulders where they shouldn't be just to maneuver around other drivers. There are many BAD crashes that happen here in non-trafficy intersections - probably a lot of 'em could have been avoided.
That guy was totally in the wrong . . . I didn't see if there were any cars in back of him in the wrong lane, but if there was, he would have been blocking them from proceeding. Idiot.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111223)
• El Paso, Texas
28 Mar
I rarely drive when heavy traffic is possible because a lot of accidents are caused by those bozos leaving behind victims that didn't cause the crash.
There are now traffic cams along I10 through our city which I hope will be helpful whenever some jerk is stupid in finding that jerk and taking away his drivers license, too often those responsible are from Juarez but the good thing now is that they can't drive over the border without a passport anymore.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16539)
• China
27 Mar
That was an annoying thing ! This driver will pay the price for his foolhardy act one day !
1 person likes this
@much2say (53954)
• Los Angeles, California
1 Apr
@changjiangzhibin89 There are A LOT of bad accidents that happen here - very bad crashes. I wish I would not encounter them, but this is everyday life while driving. We have to be extra, extra careful.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16539)
• China
2 Apr
@much2say Yes,you can't be too careful when you drive.Hope good luck is with you !
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16539)
• China
29 Mar
@much2say It would be a matter of time before the stupid drivers crash cars. Hope you won't encounter them from now on !
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79804)
• United States
29 Mar
People like that scare me and I see so many road rage incidents on the news. Stupid people are all over.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53954)
• Los Angeles, California
3 Apr
@Marilynda1225 Oh the insanity of these days . . . yes, getting shot on the road wasn't even a thing way back when. I find it crazy too that the person who is in the wrong is the one flipping the bird now .
.1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79804)
• United States
1 Apr
@much2say who would have thought that we would have to worry about being shot due to road rage. Back in the old days usually the only thing you got was a middle finger.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79804)
• United States
4 Apr
@much2say the world has gone crazy. I've never seen so much rage in my life
1 person likes this
@just4him (306523)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Mar
Yes, all the time. Here, we can turn on red. There isn't a certain number that can. We only need to make certain there aren't any cars coming. I saw one turn right in front of us last week. He was nuts and we could have gotten into an accident.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159222)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Mar
I used to encounter stupid drivers occasionally when I was driving. I had one get out of his car and come knock on my window. He yelled and when he stopped I just looked him in the eye and said:" I bet if I was a guy you wouldn't be here right now."
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
10 Apr
Wait wait. I'm confused 
You can turn left on a red light? And go 2 cars at a time? 
I hate when drivers honk and then they tail gate or follow you! I'm glad you went a different direction and got rid of him.
You can turn left on a red light? And go 2 cars at a time?
I hate when drivers honk and then they tail gate or follow you! I'm glad you went a different direction and got rid of him.1 person likes this
@much2say (53954)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Apr
@infatuatedbby "Yield" - yah, you summed that up better than I did 
.
Oh geez, yes, the shootings - that does happen. What a sick world we live in and we do have to watch for those things . Thank you - you too!! 
.
Oh geez, yes, the shootings - that does happen. What a sick world we live in and we do have to watch for those things . Thank you - you too!! @infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
14 Apr
@much2say OHH YES! The yield. For sure one is already half way and most likely the car behind is there too so 2 would fit. I understand you know!
Yes, Road rage is real and it is scary. I saw somewhere a lady got shot and killed simply at a stop light in broad day light. I don't understand what this world is up to. I try to avoid news but then I want to know what is going on. Stay safe and take care!
I understand you know!
Yes, Road rage is real and it is scary. I saw somewhere a lady got shot and killed simply at a stop light in broad day light. I don't understand what this world is up to. I try to avoid news but then I want to know what is going on. Stay safe and take care!1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49056)
• United States
11 Apr
That sounds a bit frightening. Yeah, lots of stupid people.
1 person likes this
. @TheHorse (206020)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Mar
I see people running red lights here, both in left turn lanes and when going straight. When my light turns green, I always look both ways before proceeding. But it sounds even worse there. Here, only one or two cars will go through after the light turns red. And that's not all the time. So it's not an "understood rule" here in the Bay Area that you're "supposed" to run a red light if you "almost made the light."
1 person likes this
@much2say (53954)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Mar
Yes, we have to give it a couple seconds sometimes before proceeding when the light turns green . . . and geez how many times that saved my life because I just knew someone wouldn't stop. It's very possible it's worse here . . . I don't see it this bad even in the next county over. Did you have to drive when you were out here recently?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206020)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Mar
@much2say I don't think *I* was actually behind the wheel while were in LA. I took over on the way home just after the Grapevine. I didn't notice an "LA Driver" phenomenon, but I wasn't looking for it. I did live in Santa arbara for several years. But that was " back in the day." I thought Santa Barbara drivers were mostly pretty decent.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53954)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Mar
@TheHorse Lucky you if you didn't have to be behind the wheel out here! I go in shock if I see any courteous driving behavior . . . including seeing a wave thank you. I would expect Santa Barbara folks to have kinder driving habits. Here it's dog-eat-dog on the roads . . . to think I used to love and enjoy driving!!!!
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15744)
• Raurkela, India
26 Mar
We have lot of reckless drivers in my city who are responsible for accidents.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15744)
• Raurkela, India
29 Mar
@much2say The cause of accidents are reckless driving and drunken driving.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156488)
• United States
25 Mar
We've experienced the traffic in LA; and it's nuts. There are stupid drivers everywhere.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53954)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Mar
@LindaOHio We try to strategize that way too, but traffic is just nuts at all times of the day now.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156488)
• United States
30 Mar
@much2say When we were in LA we used to get off the roads around 2 pm or so before all the crazyness would start.
1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (4879)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
25 Mar
I wouldn't say daily but when we get out to pay bills
& sometimes it's really not worth the time gas or $
to put your life at risk with as many stupid people
are out on the SAME roads as you. 
1 person likes this
@much2say (53954)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Mar
Exactly. And it isn't even safe to walk or ride a bike . . . sidewalks and buildings aren't even free from danger. I can see how online options are more popular (although I really rather be out and about) - it's too risky out there .
.1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170140)
• United States
26 Mar
Yes, but maybe not quite that bad. Be careful out there! I wouldn't want to drive in LA.
1 person likes this
- but, I have to on a daily basis. Ever since the couple accidents a few years back, I have been hyper defensive on the road . . . oh my gosh we just have to be.
@paigea (35713)
• Canada
26 Mar
I haven't encountered that. Here, only the cars already in the intersection make that turn as the light is turning red. And that is two at the most.
What an idiot.
My pet peeve is people coming out of the fog, with no lights, just as I'm turning left onto the highway! They have to alter their car somehow to have no lights.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53954)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Mar
I was taught exactly that - the 2 car rule. But somehow that has gone out the door . . . you will see a train of cars making a left at almost every intersection here . So if I am the one to not continue to train, I have to watch out about getting rear ended 
.
No lights in a fog - oh that's dangerous too! Yikes when you barely see them last second!!!
. So if I am the one to not continue to train, I have to watch out about getting rear ended .
No lights in a fog - oh that's dangerous too! Yikes when you barely see them last second!!!1 person likes this
@much2say (53954)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Mar
I dread going on the road, but in daily life I have to. Right - people seem to generally be more aggressive these days, and they have taken their ways on the road. It is a huge relief to come home and have everyone else be back home too . . . we made it through another day safe and sound.
1 person likes this
