Yeah, in Japan both people would have been at fault. They're really strict about that stuff. Even if you have the right of way, if an accident could have been avoided just by you being a more cautious driver, you'll wind up getting ticketed too.

Happened to my boss a month ago--he got hit at a light while making a turn during a green turn arrow (driver coming from opposite direction gunned it on the yellow but didn't beat the red). The police ruled that even though my boss had the right of way, a cautious driver should anticipate people trying to beat the light and check to make sure traffic coming from the opposite direction is fully stopped before initiating a turn, so both parties were at fault (though not equally of course).

Basically as a driver in Japan you are supposed to assume that everyone around you is an unsafe driver and take any necessary precautions to avoid accidents. The only time you'll 100% not be at fault for an accident is if you're rear-ended while fully stopped or if the car experiences a catastrophic mechanical failure (i.e. blowing a tire on the freeway causing you to temporarily lose control of the vehicle).

Most of my have to do with driving, some already mentioned, but also: people who don't use turn signals (especially the ones who just slam on their brakes, then turn left or right, no indication where they want to go).

People who cut you off, then want to turn LEFT the next intersection on a busy no-turn-lane road so you sit behind them for 5 minutes.

People who refuse to pull into the intersection when turning left, or even go when there is nobody coming, because there is 'only a green light but the turn arrow turned off already'.

People who start digging for something on a traffic light and never look up to see when the light goes green.

Oh, people on supermarkets/grocery stores who park their cart in the middle of the aisle, then browse something next to their cart and never mind that nobody can get by.

People on (Starbucks or ANY) line (of 5/10/20.. people) who come up and say 'oh, I have no idea what I want, let me think...'

People who wait for the cashier to say how much they owe, THEN dig out their CHECKBOOK and start writing a check. Special treat if they can't find their checkbook. Also, the people who use a credit card, but first can't find it. They they have to try to figure out which way it goes in the reader, then type their PIN wrong 4 times, and after that have to use a different card.

I think I just have no patience..

>> ^Jordass:
Yeah stripping him of his gun and badge is good though he still has a job and is getting payed. If you watch the CBS news story about it the officer claims that the cyclist was stopping traffic which the bikers claim is impossible.
Now speaking from my own experience here in LA there are 2 main bike groups that once a week shut down major streets of Hollywood with hundreds of bikes. I believe one of them calls themselves Critical Mass as well. Now I have personally seen them YES send a biker into the street (doesnt matter if its green light or red light) and sit in the lanes making sure all the other bikers get through and stay together. This action doesnt change due to red lights or turn arrow or even walk signs, no. So yes they do break the law and sit in the lanes obstruct traffic by using their bodies. It pisses everyone off, could really hurt someone, and cripples traffic for a good chunk of the night.
Am i saying the biker deserved that, no and that cop better get whats coming to him, but do the bikers break the law (and know it), yes so the group hopefully wont try to totally milk the whole innocent victim routine.



Can you point me to the new york statute that forbids the assembly of a protest group in a public road, the illegality of the individuals actions, as well as the constitutional basis for such a law? Can you also point me to the statute which enables the officer to utilize the amount of force displayed in the enforcement of said law?

Yeah stripping him of his gun and badge is good though he still has a job and is getting payed. If you watch the CBS news story about it the officer claims that the cyclist was stopping traffic which the bikers claim is impossible.

Now speaking from my own experience here in LA there are 2 main bike groups that once a week shut down major streets of Hollywood with hundreds of bikes. I believe one of them calls themselves Critical Mass as well. Now I have personally seen them YES send a biker into the street (doesnt matter if its green light or red light) and sit in the lanes making sure all the other bikers get through and stay together. This action doesnt change due to red lights or turn arrow or even walk signs, no. So yes they do break the law and sit in the lanes obstruct traffic by using their bodies. It pisses everyone off, could really hurt someone, and cripples traffic for a good chunk of the night.

Am i saying the biker deserved that, no and that cop better get whats coming to him, but do the bikers break the law (and know it), yes so the group hopefully wont try to totally milk the whole innocent victim routine.

your allusions are too obscure for my tiny Neanderthal mind. You make me want go crush shiny box with stick now

In reply to this comment by lucky760:
I guess what I was getting at is if you're a listener of Ace Carolla. I'll just assume so.

In reply to this comment by rottenseed:
depends on if there's any cops around.

In reply to this comment by lucky760:
I love that you said "nozzles" instead of "bags." Tell me, do you run red left turn arrows?

In reply to this comment by rottenseed:
I don't know why I joined videosift. In fact, I wish I hadn't joined. I can't get away from you f*cknuts, skeezers, skags, douche-nozzles, crotch waffles, wankers, and creeps.

...on second thought, that's why I fit in so well here.

I guess what I was getting at is if you're a listener of Ace Carolla. I'll just assume so.

In reply to this comment by rottenseed:
depends on if there's any cops around.

In reply to this comment by lucky760:
I love that you said "nozzles" instead of "bags." Tell me, do you run red left turn arrows?

In reply to this comment by rottenseed:
I don't know why I joined videosift. In fact, I wish I hadn't joined. I can't get away from you f*cknuts, skeezers, skags, douche-nozzles, crotch waffles, wankers, and creeps.

...on second thought, that's why I fit in so well here.

depends on if there's any cops around.

In reply to this comment by lucky760:
I love that you said "nozzles" instead of "bags." Tell me, do you run red left turn arrows?

In reply to this comment by rottenseed:
I don't know why I joined videosift. In fact, I wish I hadn't joined. I can't get away from you f*cknuts, skeezers, skags, douche-nozzles, crotch waffles, wankers, and creeps.

...on second thought, that's why I fit in so well here.

I love that you said "nozzles" instead of "bags." Tell me, do you run red left turn arrows?

In reply to this comment by rottenseed:
I don't know why I joined videosift. In fact, I wish I hadn't joined. I can't get away from you f*cknuts, skeezers, skags, douche-nozzles, crotch waffles, wankers, and creeps.

...on second thought, that's why I fit in so well here.