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PaperclipPerfector  5mo ago (text post)   35713 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of June 9, 2025

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I now interrupt your regularly scheduled WWIII/Nothing Ever Happens to ask a question:

So, the Bike discussion down below generated a lot of angst and heat, so I'd like to poll The Motte on our driving habits a bit (in the CW thread because I do fear we are going to get some strong feelings).

How do we feel about the following:

  1. You should turn on your turn signal every time you switch lanes or otherwise would be expected to use it, even if nobody is around.

  2. Stop signs and red lights need to be fully stopped at, even if nobody is around and you know there isn't a red light camera.

  3. Speed limits should be followed to the letter when possible.

  4. The left lane is for passing only, and also, if you are in that lane and not passing and someone cuts you off or rides your bumper, that is fine.

  5. If someone does not make room for you and you need to come over (and properly signaled) you can cut them off guilt free.

  6. I can break some of these rules (or others) but other drivers should not.

  7. Any other possible driving scissor statements?

If you'd like to be mad at me: Yes, Yes, No, Yes with qualification, Yes, No.

  1. If nobody is around it doesn't matter, though I do anyway out of force of habit. People learning to drive should always do it to develop the habit.

  2. Depends on your definition of a full stop. If you're technically still rolling but practically stopped, I'd say that counts if you're in an area with little to no traffic. To me a "full stop" would be to the point that you feel a slight jolt unless you know how to do a proper chauffeur stop.

  3. I don't have a problem with taking an extra five or ten, but I don't think you have a right to complain if you get stuck behind someone who is doing the limit.

  4. No. The left lane is for passing. It's also for letting people onto the road from a merge or from making a right from a side road. It's okay to ride the left if you're consistently going above the speed of traffic in the right-hand lane, as it's safer than constantly merging back and forth, though if someone wants to go faster than you you should move over and let them by.

  5. It depends on the situation. In urban freeway driving, it's not a 100% guarantee that someone is going to let you in, and you have to be ready to just move. Assuming it's safe to do so, cutting off one person is better than blocking the lane while you wait to be let in.

  6. No, the Categorical Imperative and all that.

  7. Per @gattsuru, you should turn your headlights on earlier than you think you need to, and if you have automatic headlights, set them to their most sensitive setting. I've been pulled over at dusk for not having headlights on when there was more than enough light for good visibility. Keep in mind that it's as much about being seen as it is seeing, and any time headlights would be noticeable above the normal glare of the sun helps with that.

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