The Triangle

Issue date: 5/21/04 Section: Ed-Op

Media Credit: The Triangle

Normally, violations of traffic code don't annoy me past the instantaneous moment in which they happen. Sure, some idiot runs a red light and causes me to slam my brakes harder than I should ever have to, but it's not something I seethe over. I'm pretty sure that I am the only perfect driver on the road, and I can accept it when other motorists make mistakes. That last sentence was sarcasm for those who cannot detect it.

However, there is one certain moving violation that I cannot let go. It's not something that happens in the heat of the moment; it's something that I see done deliberately every single day I drive down to campus.

If you've ever driven to campus and used John F. Kennedy Boulevard to gain access to Market Street, you know what I'm talking about. Even worse, you could be one of the offenders who doesn't know what I'm talking about. Basically, when you come onto the dead-end on JFK Boulevard at Market Street, there are two lanes which are both turning-only lanes. One turning lane permits only right turns be made from it. The other permits only left turns. It's that simple, you don't make right turns from the left turning lane. It's painted clearly on the asphalt. It's displayed as clearly as day on a sign.

However, some people, in their mad rush to get where they're going, decide that they're going to use the left turning lane for a right turn. It happens every day that I make my trek down to school, and it usually happens, like clockwork, between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m.

This shouldn't be surprising, since it is rush hour. In the selfish and ignorant minds of those who violate this rule, they are just trying to get where they need to be in as little time as possible. Of course, they probably also left their original location as late as possible, not taking into consideration that there might just be a little traffic en route to where they want to go. Why should they have to plan?

The kicker of all this is that they're only making things worse for themselves by pulling off this highly dangerous maneuver. The first obvious drawback is that they're putting themselves at a big risk for an accident. These drivers often cut in front of the drivers who are making legal right turns, causing them to slam on their brakes. Not everyone has brakes in tip-top condition, and sooner rather than later, there is going to be a big accident at this intersection. Don't you think it takes forever to get around that corner without 100 tons of mangled steel in the way?

Continued...

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