I can abide no further driving posts on my community facebook page and the ignorant, fearful comments they conjure from petrified residents of our fortunate, happy little bubble.
I feel strongly that obstructive or inept driving creates more hazard and risk than assertive, attentive expedience, and aggravation at the former is the cause of much of the rage and speeding often lamented here. This is not to excuse all speeding, but recklessness, not speed, is what should be avoided and punished. Unfortunately, it's not quantifiable and therefore even more difficult to enforce consistently. I believe many of the lamentations of drivers wishing for others to slow down have themselves to blame for the treatment they receive or recklessness they witness; it is a helpless feeling to be stuck behind you, and that trapped feeling increases the likelihood one will engage in a risky act to escape the situation. The speed you deem inappropriate is sometimes just the manifestation of your incompetence, an impatient chicken hatched after waiting unnecessarily due to others' absentmindedness or poor road manner.
The post has only expanded people's awareness to both the penalty and the danger looming should they turn R on red here. It does not in any way enable them to "break the rules." Even the speed trap posts some of you complain about likely only increase compliance to the rule in notifying drivers where in particular it best be obeyed-- a location the officer is hopefully patrolling because of danger present, and not just to catch rule-breakers. Such posts give no further power to people who are capable of competently operating their vehicles while disregarding revenue-generating authoritarian statism (this is playful hyperbole, boot-lickers. Well, somewhat) under the guise of safety and prevention.
Rejoice! We are all now safer! More people now know that it's illegal to turn R on Red there, and have further incentive not to in avoiding punishment. I grew up right up the hill, but as the intersection has changed over the years, and I avoid Crown Valley, I'm grateful this thread increased my consideration of how it works: is it in fact No Right on Red light at all or just Arrow? I'll look for myself; don't answer, just heed yourself.
Thankful to those of you pointing out it's only on red arrow, to be confirmed, and those of you that seem to suggest that this ticket won't stick if you fight it; hopeful I don't have to confirm that.Do you believe in speed laws? Are you also one of the obstructionists I encounter and dominate on the road between my beautiful hometown and the capital of motorist distraction and incompetence, drably dreadful Irvine, California, every day? Remaining alert and courteously getting out of each other's way are driving ideals to hold paramount. If you're not paying attention, or are holding back traffic unnecessarily, I will get around you ASAP, not only for myself, but everyone behind me, those whom you're selfishly disregarding with your lack of attention, two-footed driving, or anemic acceleration.
What further seems lost on many of you is the concept that an illegal move which adversely affects nobody is not worthy of penalty. By arguing against the post, you are unwittingly (some of you wittingly, even worse) rooting against others to break the law and be punished, regardless of affect, or lack thereof, on others. Instead of writing "Good, if you break the law you deserve a ticket," perhaps you should think "Good, there's a cop there, so there's even less likelihood someone will ignore this important safety measure (sic)." If you can make a turn safely, you don't need someone, who is not subject to the very rules they’re enforcing, waiting there to belittle your assertion, nor does anyone else benefit by you being pulled over. One could easily argue that the pullover creates more danger than a proper stop, look, and wait to turn at a break in oncoming traffic. However, it is admittedly a risky maneuver at that blind crest, and would be a good thing to have the officer there should you not assess said risk accurately. Then, you should have to pay, but hopefully no one else for your mistake, as either victims of a collision or policy generated due to someone else's impetuous disregard.While acknowledging that there's a decent reason for this rule, arbitrary enforcement (because you can’t catch them all!) is a tradeoff I'd prefer not to have to make for being accountable when something bad actually happens. This concept pertains better to speeding than disregarding a No Right Turn sign. No victim, no crime, though, and legality is not morality. Write that down.
Please Keep Right on the freeway, and in any way possible refuse to be an impediment to fellow motorists. I'm looking at you, San Joaquin Hills residents who don't have the foresight or consideration to align left in the straight lane on Aliso Niguel at Moulton, that other drivers can then make a right onto Moulton without waiting unwarrantedly for you to get your green light and proceed through the intersection. That light would be maddening to me if I lived in there, as Moulton will stay green for ages with nobody coming, but that's no reason to make others share your momentary plight. BTW thank you to whoever finally got it right and decided to make the right lane on Greenfield at Rancho Niguel Right Turn Only; that gave me some semblance of faith that our traffic institutions do in fact work at times. Too bad I have none in nearly any other motorist. Thank you for reading. Do better.
I believe my annual facebook rant average to be <1 over the past few years, here's to hoping this will be 2019's last. I should have worked out today instead of writing this. Hypocritical advice: spend less time on social media, though I must admit I'll be gratified if anybody out there recognizes the logic I'm presenting, and this page has real utility and I appreciate being more connected to my community through it.
