Road design, safety and Vision Zero

[danbrotherston]

This might be more of a road safety thread discussion, but I think there's a pretty straightforward cognitive answer here.

You're probably right, I did consider that thread. Maybe these posts can be moved.

My parents have actually gotten annoyed at me these days, because whenever we're going somewhere, I point out the drivers who do things wrong (using a phone, illegal turn, whatever), and it's like...constant, and I realize they just didn't even notice before that this is happening constantly. They're still upset that we have moved, but I think they're starting to notice the road problem as well.

If I did that, I'd be calling out their own driving just as much... Wouldn't go over well. A benefit of having your own car is being able to turn down getting in the car with people who drive like idiots.

Oof, sorry to hear that. I mean, I think I'm lucky in that way. My parents aren't perfect drivers, but at least as unbiased as I don't have a lot of complaints: they don't speed (excessively), rarely drive aggressively, and never text and drive. My parents are still wearing masks most places too...so I think it's on brand. FWIW...I am of the opinion that it's worth having unpleasant conversations with people we are close to (family, friends, neighbours, coworkers, etc.) about important issues. It's not easy, especially if they're family but ultimately nobody is in a better position to change your parents behaviours than you are. Of course, I realize this is an easy thing for me to say, I frankly, am in a bubble with people I mostly don't have an issue with. The only exception was one coworker, who, ... well I did talk to on a few occasions, but I was hardly the only one.

As for using the turning lane, I've seen it from time to time, I don't think there's any cultural aspect to it, beyond "North American's are bad drivers because we have badly designed and highly congested roads". It sounds like things in the region have gotten worse than I remember (and you know how much I complain ), the things you describe really have more of a Toronto vibe to me, in Toronto what you describe was pretty common.

Considering this left turn lane situation has happened two more times since I wrote my post (the one today blocked me and everyone behind from using the advanced left turn signal, which was followed by 2 oncoming cars running the red light while I waited to complete the left turn... ridiculous), it seems to absolutely be a part of our city's driving culture now. It does have a Toronto vibe, and so I would say it's a part of their driving culture too. So it's absolutely cultural. The question was whether this is homegrown, or has been imported. While you're completely right to criticize North American driving culture, the reality is that the majority of the rest of the world has a far, far worse driving culture than our own.

Ugh...that's incredibly frustrating. I continue to see leaving as the right choice, but it's sad to see things get worse. I remember driving in Toronto and finding it to be an absolutely intolerable experience...downright violent at times (I've been brake checked). I also saw how it was making me into an angrier person, and at the risk of quoting a bit of Star Trek, I hated that.