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PaperclipPerfector  7mo ago (text post)   36184 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of June 9, 2025

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  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.
  • I generally do now since most cars I end up in have some form of lane assist that shouts at you if you drift over a line, even when you're doing so to change lanes on an uninhabited highway at 1AM, unless you throw the blinker on. That being said there's no harm to anyone if you don't, so I don't stress about it. There's no harm in doing so, and it's good to keep the habit of using them, so while it's not necessary I'd still recommend it.

\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.

  • Red lights, absolutely. Stop signs, a slow roll through is fine at a 4-way if you confirm there's no one around - but you need to slow down to do the slow roll anyway.

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

  • No. All speed limits at least near me have a built-in range where it's acceptable to go over - going 65 on a major highway in the left lane is not acceptable, even if that's the speed limit.

\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.

  • The left lane is for higher-speed travel. If you're blocking traffic in the left lane by going under the speed limit, you should expect to be followed closely.

\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.

  • You should never cut someone off in an unsafe way. If the other person's being a dick and not letting you in*, it's ok to force your way as long as you do so safely (ie inch your way in slowly, don't just cut right in front of them then slam on your brakes).

* if you've been trying to get in since you saw traffic started. If you're cutting in last-minute, you're the dick and it's unacceptable.

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

  • I don't claim to be a 100% perfect driver, but I do try to follow my own rules.

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