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It's Past Time To Ban Right-On-Red
(jalopnik.com)
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this post was submitted on 09 Oct 2023
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Fuck Cars
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Or, stop and look both ways. Like we were taught. We used to be taught to wait until it is safe, and to check for cars. And now people are taught to just walk out into an area designated for the travel of 2,000lb vehicles and it’ll all be ok, they’ll stop for you
Cars making right turns on red are a major source for both pedestrian and cyclist deaths. The driver making a right turn is focused on the incoming traffic on their left and are thus less likely to notice a cyclist or pedestrian on their right.
All the time I run into inconsiderate drivers who enter an intersection without stopping and/or creep towards pedestrians when the light is red, ignoring the danger they force upon unprotected people.
We can reduce these deaths by disallowing right turns on red, following most of the developed world.
Especially in cities with bike lanes, and frequent bike traffic.
Driving into Chicago is a nightmare for me when we go. Just getting into town and parking for the week, I feel so much anxiety looking out for bikers and trying to not be an asshole.
But then once we are parked, it's a week of bliss with all the public transit options.
I already made up my mind that next time we go we are taking the Amtrak train from Toledo to Chicago and skipping the driving bullshit.
Chicago is the place to be if you want to semi-enjoy public transit, at least. Though there are a ton of bicycle infrastructure woes. But even compared to the rest of the country... it's practically a transit paradise.
Those cyclists are supposed to stop for the red light too. I'm willing to bet a big chunk of those deaths were cyclists either blasting though the light, riding against the flow of traffic, or both.
If you look at some real-world collision statistics, like I did because I wanted to know how I was most likely to get killed, you will find that you would have lost that bet. Your municipality probably publishes a report on those stats every few years. Look it up and learn something new.
Every time I go out I like lugging a 2 ton weight with me because it makes me look cool
I agree. I, a squishy flesh pancake, will always check for cars whether I have the right of way or not. Something look dicey? Not sure someone can see me? I wait.
It is easier for me to pause than for a vehicle that probably weighs half a ton to slam on the brakes. Add on to that how many people text and drive, and... you only have the right of way if someone sees you. If they don't, they can be totally in the wrong, but it won't matter if you're right if you're dead or maimed.