Atlanta’s a tough town to drive in. That’s why it’s important for all of
us to do our best. But I’ve noticed something very disturbing lately I
wanted to share. Did I miss something in Driver’s Ed (or maybe we need
Driver’s Ed)? Why do many of us NOT pull up all the way to the line at
the light? I see cars, trucks, etc., every day pullin’ up short. It drives
me crazy! Sometimes there’s enough room to pull another car in front.
Like, say, my car! What some of us fail to understand is if we don’t pull
up it won’t activate the traffic light timer system, especially in left
turn lanes. Then you have to wait for it to cycle through. There are pressure
plates at those lights and if you don’t pull up all the way they don’t work
and we get stuck longer at the light. CUT IT OUT! Pull up. The only reason
I can come up with why we don’t “finish the job” is fear. Many times we
see people turning left from the cross street “cut the corner” of the left
lane or turn lane. All I can say is if you’re that scared…then take the
bus. Otherwise, “man up.” You’re driving in Atlanta and we need all the
breaks we can get, not the brakes making you stop 10 feet short of the light!
4 Comments to Takin’ Up Space
Thing is Mary, if you’re at the line, those folks will have to go AROUND you. Who in their right mind is going to try to cut the line with someone there?
I hear ya Art. Most of the bungholes I see stopping a mile before the light are the same folks yapping on the cell and not paying attention to the.. well anything.
Also, pulling up tighter will allow cars behind you to turn right on a red. Many going straight are oblivious at the light and leave a big gap in front while blocking the way for others to turn right. I try to check behind me to see if a car is trying to go around me to turn right on a red. Few seem to notice what is behind them.
You do a great job on traffic.
Great job on this blog, Art!! 
Yep, I’ve had to get out of my car to tell the joker in front of me about the pressure plate thing. It’s usually been pretty funny when they realize that there’s actually something there that activates the light.
Though I’ve never asked what the drivers thought activated the light for us… Hm. Maybe I’ll have to do that the next time some joker doesn’t pull up to the pressure plate.
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February 12, 2009
Hey! I never dreamed that my desire for self-preservation impinged on the desire to keep traffic flowing. I guess I do need to take the bus, rather than it taking me — since I’m usually trying to avoid being clipped by one when I don’t pull all the way up to the line.
-The Huffster