Yesterday morning, as I was driving Theresa back & forth to a local public school (she has to observe a 1st grade class that has learning disabled kids in the same class as ‘normal’ kids) I learned a few thing about driving rules in NY. It’s kind of strange because I’ve been driving in NY for 30 years now and yet, it seems I am ignorant of the rules of the road, as well as requirements for crossing guards.
Rule #1 – If you are a utility trunk, a garbage truck or a parks department truck, that means you can completely ignore one way signs. They’re not for you. They’re just for ordinary folks like me.
Rule #2 – Despite what you may think, people driving straight do not have the right of way over people making left turns. Nope. Here in NYC, apparently people making left turns can go first and cut off the drivers who are going straight.
Rule #3 – Hire crossing guards who are sight impaired and can’t see turn signals. That rule makes driving by a school kinda fun. The crossing guard will wave frantically to you, signaling that you should proceed through the intersection. Clearly she did not see the right turn signal, nor the woman standing in the middle of the street.
Now there’s where it pays to not be a rule follower. If I had blindly obeyed her and had made my right turn, the woman would be road kill. Instead I chose to roll down my window and state the obvious. “I can’t run her down,” I said, pointing to the woman.
“Oh, I didn’t see your turn signal.” Yep, don’t you want her helping your child cross the street?
The rules around here are a little different. The best is the rule that states….if you are turning from a small county road to a slightly larger state road you must sit and wait until the only car coming that way is within 100 feet before you pull out.
[quote comment="3631"]The rules around here are a little different. The best is the rule that states….if you are turning from a small county road to a slightly larger state road you must sit and wait until the only car coming that way is within 100 feet before you pull out.[/quote]
OH! That’s similar to our rule for how to merge onto a highway. And of course highway speed is 55 mph but the person pulling into traffic must not go any faster than 30 mph.
I’m sure it goes without saying that you’ll be in Rome, but we’ll be in New York December 13-16ish. I haven’t bought the flight yet, but we have tickets to a Broadway show that Saturday, so we’ll be there, come hell or high water (and as a New Orleanian, you know that’s totally possible).
If you’re going to be around (and/or have tips on cheap accommodations in the city, right now it looks like Craig’s List is our best bet) let me know. I’d love to grab a cup of coffee. Or a bottle of alcohol.
Seems like a good time to be a ”rule’ breaker!
My neice always tells of mommy driving in New York. (she’s six) She says mommy waves her hands around alot while driving… hmmm I can imagine!
[quote comment="3633"] we’ll be in New York December 13-16ish. [/quote]
And I will be here, then.
Will ask around about hotels. Don’t know too much, never having had the need to stay in a hotel.
You are to be commended for not running her down. I’m not 100% sure, but there are probably some people who would go ahead and do what they were told and, in the process, run the woman down. And then blame it on the person who told them to do it. It COULD happen that way. Just sayin’…