[RebelDarlin]

Originally Posted by Orangetxguy

I know this may seem...borish...but..even though the proper method for making a left turn from a 2-lane street or roadway, onto a 4-lane street or roadway, is to turn into the left-most lane of travel, then manuver to the right hand lane....after driving in Los Angeles and Seattle city traffic..I quickly decided that when making turns (be it right or left)..I was going to turn into the lane which I needed to be in. If that meant turning into the right lane,from the left turn lane, or into the left lane from a right hand turn, then that is what I did....and do. Saves a whole lot of greif and aggravation doing it that way...and now...after 29 plus years of off and on city driving...I have yet to have a police officer or DOT enforcement officer, pull me over for doing so..and I have made more than one such turn in front of them.

Sometimes doing what is safest for you and your vehicle, is the best way. Defensive driving skills are good to have...but driving on the "offense" sometimes works best.

Not boorish at all. I wish I could make the turn the way you suggested. Company policy says differently and the "transit police" always seem to be around when I decide to do it my way ops:

The left turn is into a 2 block sections of gas stations, restaurants etc. that all enter the street from both sides. There have been so many buses hit by vehicles pulling out of these parking lots, that the higher ups decided that turning into the left lane is safer. :shock:

[RebelDarlin]

Originally Posted by Windwalker

In most states, I prefer to think of the 4-wheelers as being "UNINFORMED" rather than stupid. However, IL is one of the exceptions.

(As you can see, I'm not always "BASHING" women...) :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ok I'll give you 2 points for that one! :wink:

[classB]

Originally Posted by RebelDarlin

Yesterday sucked!

On my days off, 2 days a week, I drive a 40' transit bus. Oh yeah, it's fun! :roll:

Anyway, on my first run yesterday here's what happened. I made a left turn from a 2 lane street onto a 4 lane street, turned into the left lane (as required). There is a Bus stop about a block down so I have to get over to the right. I signal, check the mirrors, all clear and start moving over. Passengers in the back of the buss start yelling "look out she's trying to pass". Apparently a car that turned behind me, and was following so close I didn't see it, decided to try to pass me on the right. Kicker, it was City of Kankakee vehicle. (Turned out to be a code enforcement officer). She went off the road to avoid being hit and was sitting on the side of the road. I called Dispatch immediately and was told if there was no contact to continue on my route because I was late.

I get back to the depot and the City vehicle is parked, waiting for me. Now I have talked to Dispatch 3 times and was told to keep driving until I got to the depot. The Code Enforcement Officer had apparently also called in. I have passengers waiting, but I'm told to wait at the Depot while they (in the office) decide what to do. While I'm waiting and asking repeatedly for an ETA to give my passengers, 2 squad cars pull up with their lights on. GREAT!!!! I get off the bus to talk to the police, hand him my license and DOT card, (which he said he didn't need). He asks me if I'm alright, tells me I look pale and a little shaky ( I was PI$$ED more than anything!) Asked me what happened, talked to passengers/witnesses and tells the other driver, that IF there had been an accident, she would have been ticketed! At that point she left.

I had told the Officer that the office was sending a back-up driver and I had to wait at the Depot. The Safety manager finally showed up with a dispatcher and a substitute driver. The officer made a point of telling the Safety Manager that I had done NOTHING wrong, the other driver was at fault but he wasn't issuing any tickets. He would however supply a written report if they wanted one.

Did I ever mention that when Im really upset I start making really stupid jokes? As the safety manager is walking toward me and the cop, I hold up my hands and say "Look no handcuffs, he didn't even offer!"


Anyway, I had to be taken for a BAC and pee test and was sent home for the rest of the day, but I'm going back today, so for now I have been told by Safety and the Transit Director that I still have the job. And I have to work today so wish me luck!


Reb

The location of the bus stop sounds like a saftey issue. In my home states it is illegal to change lanes 100 feet before or after an intersection. The law is on the books although I have never seen it enforced by the police. Your company should consider moving the bus stop a little further down the road so you have enough distance to change lanes and do it safely. Also, if you have to pick up passengers don't you have to stop at least 10 feet in front of the bus stop? Makes for an even tighter space to change lanes. What happens if while changing lanes you get rear ended and hit people waiting at the bus stop? Your company would get sued by people who weren't even at the bus stop. You need enough distance to safely change lanes before the bus stop.

[RebelDarlin]

Originally Posted by classB

The location of the bus stop sounds like a saftey issue. In my home states it is illegal to change lanes 100 feet before or after an intersection. The law is on the books although I have never seen it enforced by the police. Your company should consider moving the bus stop a little further down the road so you have enough distance to change lanes and do it safely. Also, if you have to pick up passengers don't you have to stop at least 10 feet in front of the bus stop? Makes for an even tighter space to change lanes. What happens if while changing lanes you get rear ended and hit people waiting at the bus stop? Your company would get sued by people who weren't even at the bus stop. You need enough distance to safely change lanes before the bus stop.

I don't know what your home state is, but in Illinois a city block is much longer than 100 feet. There's plenty of room to change lanes safely before the stop. This particular stop, I usually pull about 10 feet PAST the bus stop so I'm not blocking the gas station driveway. Unfortunately my company has no say in where the Stops are, the City controls that.

BTW, Welcome to CAD!

Reb-