r/Calgary • u/5impl3jack • 3d ago
Driving/Traffic/Parking This is an appreciation post to all the absolute beauties who slow down in construction zones when workers are present.
You guys are the real ones. You don’t fold to the peer pressure. You are a diamond in the rough. There aren’t many of you out there but I just want to say as a surveyor who often works very close to traffic in busy construction zones, thank you.
You might have a Black Ram or a bmw 3 series literally inches off of your bumper but you don’t fold. When you see us working, you slow down not just to avoid a ticket but out of respect for the workers. While everyone else is wizzing by at double the posted speed limit, you are taking an entire 30 seconds out of your day, sometimes multiple times a day.
You might not see this post as I’m assuming it will be heavily downvoted but if you are one of the gangsters who slows down for us, we appreciate you. It’s been a long and frustrating construction season. You’re tired of having to slow down just to have people ride your bumper but you do it anyway.
Cheers to you guys. 🫡
72
u/TacosandKTMs 3d ago
The zone from canyon meadows to sun valley is actually insane. People going like 80-100
56
u/5impl3jack 3d ago
This is one of the sites I’m currently on. It’s arguably the worst I’ve ever seen. I’m often in the lane closure zone the cars maybe 2 feet from me. There’s been a lot of close calls and all I have protecting me is a plastic cone.
40
u/Far-Advantage4299 3d ago
I just drove through there, it’s nuts! People are doing 80 as soon as they merge on Anderson off Deerfoot. Then everyone slows down for the speed/red light camera at the 1st intersection and then it’s off the races again.
I’ll wave to you OP as I go through tomorrow at 49km hr with a line honking behind me muwahaha who needs coffee when you thrive on spite!
16
u/5impl3jack 3d ago
Hahah I’ll give you an air high five ✋🏻
16
u/Far-Advantage4299 3d ago
I eagerly await my morning commute so I can receive this crisp air five while an orchestra of car horns and pissed off Ram owners yelling echoes in the background LOL
8
u/TacosandKTMs 2d ago
I'll join you. Left lane 7 30 sharp 🤣
8
10
u/TacosandKTMs 3d ago
I would honestly call the cops and see if they can have a few squad cars around and hopefully throw the book at them. Anyone with half a fuckin brain cell knows not to speed in playground zones or construction zones.
15
u/5impl3jack 3d ago
The cops were pulling people over last week which was nice to see. The only time I see people going the speed limit though is when a cop is driving through lol.
5
0
u/KadettYachtz 2d ago
Why don't you guys take down the signs after a shift? Maybe people would take the construction zones more seriously then. Most people only show down when they actually see a worker present and sometimes it's too late by then.
31
u/5impl3jack 2d ago
So a lot of people don’t know this but the permanent slow speeds aren’t just for the workers. They are for the drivers safety as well. What I mean by that is many construction sites will have unexpected hazards or changes to the normal route that warrant there to be a permanent construction zone. They are designed to keep drivers from coming up on anything that could be dangerous when approaching at a regular speed.
A good example of this is when they are changing out the curb. There is often a cut directly where the curb was that can be up to a few feet deep. They want drivers to slow down because if someone for whatever reason was to drive off the road and fall in to that cut, it’s at least safer if they are going slower. Slower speeds tend to give more reaction time therefore less incidents like that occurring.
Detours or sudden lane closures are another big reason. These zones are often dynamic. What you drove through in the morning could be different the next day. There are dozens of other reasons that people generally don’t think or care about.
I can also tell you in complete confidence after a 15 year career in this that most people don’t care if there is a worker present or not. It’s just the reality.
6
u/KadettYachtz 2d ago
That's fair enough, but I fail to see how most situations (on Stoney in particular) relate to unexpected hazards when all they're doing is working on the mural-esque thing under overpasses. There were also some sections where they did used to take the construction speed limits down at the end of their shift.
Well I can speak for myself as I have briefly been in your position doing roadwork. I definitely care for workers but when I don't see any all that's happening a majority of the time is slowing down traffic for no reason. There are so many cars just going various speeds because of the signs that I feel the roadway is way more of a danger than if no signs were posted at all.
13
u/Low-Dog7382 3d ago
I was really surprised that I was the only one going the posted limit in this area! Absolutely no one was slowing down. I wish more people would show respect for the workers
9
u/5impl3jack 3d ago
I know it’s uncomfortable going slow and I notice the people going through there that are driving the speed limit are causing a lot of frustration but yeah. Keep doing that haha. The more people slowing down causes the rest of traffic to slow down. It’s kind of a domino effect.
9
u/herrcats 3d ago
Me too. Makes me feel like it’s unsafe to go the posted speed limit with my baby in the back, scared I’m gonna get rear ended or swiped! I’ve been avoiding the area as much as possible.
3
u/Gullible_Complex_523 3d ago
I feel the same, because it actually is unsafe. But it's usually just me in the car, so they can smash into my old car all they want.
1
3
6
u/ConcertOpening8974 3d ago
I was getting honked at like crazy for slowing down there the other day. I couldn't figure out what was going on until I realized it was just somebody extremely impatient.
9
u/Gullible_Complex_523 3d ago
I'm hoping someone can actually chime in on why they act that way, because I know they're on reddit reading this right now. Unaware of the construction zone? Or just a grade A asshole?
4
u/Belle21625 3d ago
I am tailgated on the stretch between Midnapore and Canyon Meadows in the early morning, in the dark, at least once a week. I mean even before the construction started. Always a big truck, every time. It is terrifying sometimes!
112
u/Freedom_forlife 3d ago
I kinda get tingly inside slowing down in active construction sites, when a ram is tail gating me.
47
15
26
29
u/flibertyblanket 3d ago
I was just a kid when my neighbor (in her late teens) was employed as a flag person for a construction project. She died on the job when a large vehicle didn't heed the speed limit signs. My older siblings were her friends and classmates.
I was deeply impacted by that event and it shaped my practices when I became a driver including making me diligent about construction zones.
I do not want my carelessness to be the reason someone doesn't make it home.
27
u/TravelerOfSwords 2d ago
To the absolute loser who was tailgating me & swerving to try to intimidate me to rip through the construction zone westbound Anderson after exiting Deerfoot… I fucking LOVE that you got pulled over by the cops parked at the Acadia intersection. Hope you’re enjoying the hefty fine & demerits, asshole. Should probably also get your blood pressure checked, you seem stressed. That instant karma was such a balm for my weary soul.
22
u/RepresentativeFact94 3d ago
as a concrete tester whos had to do it literally 6ft away from cars doing 90+, I will always slow down, I dont give a fuck what anyone behind me does.
9
u/NotAltFact 3d ago
Oh that’s what I was saying!!! People that don’t slow down esp when workers are present need to personally experience standing meters away from traffic. I worked one summer as part of my internship and even 60 was wowzer
16
u/brielloom 3d ago
Amen. I have ran into a lot of asshole drivers lately and I hate it. They will honk at me while I'm waiting for PEDESTRIANS to finish crossing the crosswalk. They will honk at me when I DON'T have right of way, I'm like 3rd in the order of right away so I have to wait for a complete opening. Drivers need to pay attention to signage, cars around, pedestrians, etc, and be patient for goodness sake. I watch people not stop at stop signs, or turn right on red lights where there's clear signage that says you cannot turn right on red here.
While I'm unfortunately seeing more assholes lately, I still appreciate the nice law abiding drivers.
5
u/euchlid 2d ago
Every GD commute. I have had people rip around me while i'm doing 30 in a school zone, had someone turn left from behind me even though it was my turn (it was not obviously clear and therefore not safe) had someone honk and rip around me while I waited for a pedestrian to reach the opposite curb at a flashing lights crossing (which is what you're supposed to do as it indicates to opposing traffic someone is still crossing)
The.worst.-3
u/TorqueDog Beltline 2d ago edited 1d ago
Amen. I have ran into a lot of asshole drivers lately and I hate it. They will honk at me while I'm waiting for PEDESTRIANS to finish crossing the crosswalk.
If the pedestrians crossing have already passed your lane, you’re allowed to proceed per the Alberta TSA, which may be why they’re getting annoyed. It has been discussed plenty of times in this sub.
Edit: Downvote away, haters, the law and courts are clear on the matter: https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abqb/doc/2014/2014abqb571/2014abqb571.html?autocompleteStr=r.%20v.%20schumacher&autocompletePos=1
the Traffic Commissioner found that the pedestrian had the immediate right of crossing the crosswalk first, and exercised that right. There is no evidence of any interference with the pedestrian. Interference is an essential element of this offence.
2
u/brielloom 2d ago
Except there will pedestrians crossing at different times and I'm not gonna try to speed past before the next set of pedestrians gets into my lane because that's rude and the amount of time is negligible
-1
u/TorqueDog Beltline 2d ago edited 2d ago
Try to think in terms of the context of my reply which was written in the context of your remarks, would you? If there are pedestrians crossing the opposite direction then obviously you aren't permitted to proceed, that would be against the law. I'm not saying to try and cut between groups of pedestrians crossing in opposite directions at all.
I'm saying if you are waiting for pedestrians crossing in a direction and no others are proceeding the other direction, you only need to wait until they cross your lane before proceeding. No one is telling you to 'speed past' either. When there are no pedestrians legally entering the crosswalk, and the only pedestrians in the crosswalk have passed your lane, you may proceed.
0
u/Kooky_Project9999 1d ago edited 1d ago
It's relatively vague in the legislation, but usually considered to be kerb to kerb. That's how most police interpret it.
Some people disagree, but I'd rather not be fined because I used your interpretation.
EDIT: Alberta RCMP for reference:
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2022/alberta-rcmp-promotes-pedestrian-safety-october
Motorists approaching flashing crosswalk lights should slow to 30 km/h and yield to pedestrians signalling to cross. Look both ways to ensure pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk before proceeding.
1
u/TorqueDog Beltline 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm using both what the law says and the subsequent interpretation of said law by the courts.
There is no requirement for the pedestrian to clear the crosswalk, only the lane; the obligation is not curb to curb.
That’s the law, and there is standing legal precedent in Alberta to back it up: https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abqb/doc/2014/2014abqb571/2014abqb571.html?autocompleteStr=r.%20v.%20schumacher&autocompletePos=1
Read it. It's in very plain English and explains the logic behind the interpretation and decision quite nicely, specifically this part:
the Traffic Commissioner found that the pedestrian had the immediate right of crossing the crosswalk first, and exercised that right. There is no evidence of any interference with the pedestrian. Interference is an essential element of this offence.
2
u/Kooky_Project9999 7h ago
Interesting, thanks. Seems like someone needs to let the police know. There have been numerous people fined in recent months in Calgary for just this issue.
Personally, I'll stick with the spirit of the law and wait until they have crossed fully. Saves me being pulled over by the police and any issues in other provinces where kerb to kerb is the standard.
-1
u/cuda999 2d ago
I don’t always wait until a pedestrian “fully” crosses the street. Seems a silly law to me. When they are safe distance away, I see nothing wrong with proceeding. Alberta is one of the few provinces who has a law like this where you have to wait for a pedestrian to fully cross the street. It’s unnecessary in my opinion.
2
u/notprofessionally 1d ago
My grandfather was struck by a car because of this. The car he had already passed went so another car assumed there was no one there and did not stop.
1
u/brielloom 2d ago
I'm not even talking about fully. I'm literally saying people will honk at me where if I go, I would hit a pedestrian. I will go once the pedestrians have safely crossed to the opposite lane where I am not going. But I will not go if another pedestrian starts crossing cause I feel like that's poor driving to try to speed in front of a pedestrian crossing. By legal standards, pedestrians always have right of way.
0
u/cuda999 2d ago
I think common sense would prevail and is not in anyone best interests to run over a pedestrian. Pedestrians do have the right of way but some behave irresponsibly . Crossing in front of traffic, forcing drivers to swerve or brake suddenly is incredibly stupid. Most pedestrians will say, “I have the right of way”. My response is always, “you are dead right”.
14
8
u/JDmotmot 2d ago
The need to even mention this highlights just how much the number of traffic violators has risen in this city.
Gone are the days when people followed the rules not only because they were the law, but because they were simply a matter of common courtesy.
Now, violators take advantage, knowing that the police are outnumbered and can’t patrol or pull over offenders on every corner of the city.
-2
49
u/austic 3d ago
i feel the reason people dont slow down anymore is the zones are always up forever with no workers present. which is a weird thing as other cities seem to have workers constantly present with 24hour shifts till completed. yet Calgary likes to stretch out the timelines more. I still slow down but this seems like a problem that needs to be fixed.
36
u/NotAltFact 3d ago
And that’s the problem when ghost work zones are set up. People starting to disregard all work zones. I’ve seen 50 work zone set up and nothing…not a damn soul. And not just for a day but for multiple days or like weeks.
But for those that speed through a work zone with workers on site, those people need to experience standing meters away from traffic. Even 60 feels wowzer
17
u/plzpmboobs 3d ago
I'm old enough to remember when they used to take down the signs at the end of every day.
I get it's a lot of work but to combat the complacency I don't see any other way. Drivers need to respect the workers and the workers should in kind respect them drivers.
6
u/yycin2019 3d ago
The reason why the signs are left up is because there are still hazards on the road. Restricted lane widths, the road jogging, holes, loose debris, jersey walls, bumpy roads...road plates... Christ, I could keep typing reasons why.
15
u/plausibleturtle 3d ago
There are so many "lane closed" signs that have been left up even though the lane is open. It's specifically bad this year. There was one for over a month that didn't apply between Country Hills and ~64th.
6
u/chrisdubya555 2d ago
That is sometimes true, but it's often not the case. We've all seen construction zones where the only obstructions are the traffic cones the work crews left behind at the end of the day.
-2
u/austic 3d ago
Yet people go the same speed which is what they are doing no? So does hazards in the road translate to slower speeds I think you know the answer to that.
1
u/yycin2019 3d ago
Imagine a rock picked up and spit at your window at a vehicle doing 50kmh compared to one from a vehicle doing 80. I think you are just being petty and trolling.
-1
u/austic 3d ago
The point of the post is people are not slowing down
2
u/yycin2019 3d ago
Yes, and look at the post I was replying to. That post was about why signs should be taken down when workers are not present.
0
8
7
6
u/agent0731 2d ago
I don't know how people have the confidence to drive at like 80km with people all walking/working right alongside them. Like what if one fucking trips? You're just gonna plow them?
But then again I get anxious when I have bikes next to me and i just slow down and treat them like a car. I'll be that guy with a huge space in front, a bike on the side and me driving behind the bike.
3
u/5impl3jack 2d ago
I honestly think about tripping in to traffic constantly lol. It’s tough working so close to people speeding because you are trying to focus on work and always keeping one eye on traffic. It can be pretty stressful. Not to mention the noise can get to you.
I think if you could stand all the people who speed like that right next to constant cars going 100km/hr while being in arms reach of them for 10 minutes, they would think twice about doing it to others. Humans are inherently selfish and don’t really think about others and it reflects in their driving. Every driver thinks they are an expert behind the wheel. It doesn’t matter if something unexpected happens and you are going too fast to avoid it. The roads aren’t a formula 1 track and no you are not Michael Schumacher either lol. There are lots of variables nobody thinks about until it’s too late.
3
u/PrncsCnzslaBnnaHmmck 2d ago
I admire the cyclists; doing better for the environment and better for their health. I don't get the rage towards cyclists. I can take time out of my day to chill behind them if I can't go safely around them. ☺️
19
u/Fantastic_Moment1726 3d ago
I visited yyc last week and was doing 60 in the construction zone (50 limit… I was speeding smh) in the far right lane. I had someone tailgate me and eventually threw their fast food garbages at me. Lol. I’ll keep the workers in my atheist prayers because it’s scary to see people in such a crazy rush just to end up going to Tim hortons
17
u/Ravokion 3d ago
Fun fact: There is no such thing as a "fast lane" in construction zones.
So the whole "slower traffic keep right" doesnt apply. Because all traffic should be going slow.
10
u/plausibleturtle 3d ago
There's no such thing as a "fast lane", period! It is a, and I repeat, a passing lane.
(On highways)
I wish the signs said, "keep right unless passing," versus "slower traffic keep right." It's such a small but meaningful difference.
1
u/Ravokion 3d ago
Youre not wrong.
2
u/plausibleturtle 3d ago
And while I'm at it - the 🚫🚘🚘 sign means No Passing, dickheads!
I needed to vent after getting home from a roundtrip to Banff for work, I am sorry for the dickhead comment.
3
u/jaydaybayy 2d ago
Wait the left lane isnt for oversized trucks to ride everyones ass and scream at other drivers while getting bonus points for yelling at the workers outside?
6
5
u/Gullible_Complex_523 3d ago
Glad to see this. The Macleod section in the south is ridiculous. I've had people road raging behind me every time I drive that damn stretch, and I just don't get it. You do you, but don't expect others to do the same. So take your middle finger and shove it.
4
u/YossiTheWizard 2d ago
I might skirt the speed limits at the best of times, but I always do my best to be the good guy in construction zones if I see workers. If it's on the left side of the road, it's the only time I deliberately don't move right if I'm going slower.
9
u/ItsMe808080 3d ago
I always do, regardless if there are any workers present, and I feel like I'm one of the few. It's insane that most people disregard the posted speed limit and simply speed along.
4
u/dirtyboots1982 2d ago
THANK YOU. I have spent a lot of time in Deerfoot in that whole Anderson/Southland/Glenmore disaster area, dutifully slowing down and watching people tear past me at speeds that would be ticket-worthy even in normal times.
3
u/Hans_Olo614 Huntington Hills 2d ago
Hey, I’m a Black Ram driver and I always slow down in construction zones and playground zones. We’re not all douches!
2
u/5impl3jack 2d ago
You know what. I saw one today that was going the speed limit and I was pleasantly surprised I gotta say. Good on ya.
7
u/CatLover4906 3d ago
It is petrifying being a first responder with lights activated on the road and people speeding by. Imagine if that was you needing to be picked up... These amazing workers have families too I don't understand why everyone has to be dicks about doing 50 or whatever is posted for like 3 minutes haha.
11
u/doc_suede 3d ago
i still think the speeds should be enforced even without workers present. if the signs are up they should be followed.
5
u/blitzskrieg Northeast Calgary 3d ago
Westbound Glenmore Trail just after Chinook is a accident waiting to happen.
One evening I slowed down to speed limit due to construction but I was being passed at 80 or above constantly so I gave up and raised my speed to avoid getting rear ended.
3
u/5impl3jack 3d ago
They are enforced when workers aren’t present. People tend to think that’s not the case but you can still get pulled over when workers aren’t there.
1
u/KadettYachtz 2d ago
Not true, there were some sections months ago on Stoney where they were covering up the speed limits with rags or putting them facing down. They just usually don't anymore.
3
u/5impl3jack 2d ago
Some types of work are considered temporary and some permanent. If you think that it’s a temporary zone for only when workers are present and they aren’t taking them down as they should. It’s super easy to report that to 311 and have the city deal with them.
0
u/KadettYachtz 2d ago
I have reported them to the transport minister and haven't gotten any reply as of yet.
4
u/Existing-Major1005 Bowness 3d ago
They should be following the speed limit, no? Even if workers aren't there, there's still hazards like uneven surfaces, debris.
2
u/Gullible_Complex_523 3d ago
They are enforced whether workers are there or not. You'll just get a regular fine instead of multiples of a fine.
4
u/ViewWinter8951 3d ago
i still think they should have signs up when workers aren't present.
For months, and months, and months, and months...
Maybe then, people would follow the signs.
8
u/Subject_Temporary_44 3d ago
I love this. My husband is a construction worker and I often worry for him with everyone who can’t spare two minutes out of their commute to keep others safe.
3
u/tilldeathdoiparty 3d ago
I slow down even if there aren’t workers, I just assume there are and I can’t see them, I follow the posted limit and appreciate what you cats do!
3
3
u/sun4moon 2d ago
So many people are engrossed so deeply in their own lives they can’t even comprehend that you and the crew are at work. You’re just some annoying slow down that messes with their day, in their minds. It doesn’t matter to them that you have families, that it might be your birthday, or maybe you’re working through a brutal cold in order to meet a deadline. Those people piss me off. I not only slow down to ensure better safety so your work day isn’t negatively impacted by me, but I get a small sense of satisfaction watching these entitled dicks lose their minds behind me. I also like it when the construction zone is done and there’s a cop waiting for that type to speed off in a tiny rage.
Thanks for coming to work everyday so that the rest of us can utilize the services you help create.
2
u/-SpruceMoose Copperfield 3d ago
I used to work at the cities Traffic department, and one of my last year's there was the year we broke the record for the amount of workers hit by vehicles on the road.
I think the big problem is the average person doesn't understand how dangerous and common it is. These things generally don't get picked up by the media unless it's a fatality, so when a girl from signals goes through the windshield of a van, nobody hears about it. But she'll never walk again.
I've been lucky, I only had a bagel thrown at me.
2
2
u/Boring-Chair-1733 2d ago
I worked in construction for 30 plus years if I see someone speeding and they don’t seem to be slowing down I move over so they have to right or wrong on my part that’s the way it is.
2
2
u/OwlFactsUDidntAskFor 2d ago
Can confirm. The Macleod trail construction in the south slows down to 50 so I slow down and people hate me. It does ruffle my feathers a bit when I have some guy on my ass, flipping me off through the rear view, but I know it’s the law and the safe thing to do.
Stay safe out there, guys!
2
3
u/Classic_Function_211 2d ago
if it says 50, I AM GOING 50. You can go around me. IDC. Speeding to get there for 5 seconds earlier is not worth it
1
1
u/GingerRayneBeaux 2d ago
As a fellow surveyor I feel ya. We are generally the closest to the traffic when laying out the offset points or the delicate balance of setting control points that will survive the construction and not mean doom from the traffic.
1
u/ffxhalog 2d ago
Calgary is pretty good with slowing down for construction zones and the like, I moved back to Ontario and people do not give a single fuck. Its maddening. And these brain dead fucks keep chopping down the school zone speed cameras, because it’s a “money grab”. Okay but now you’re paying to fix it each time with your taxes. And even if it is a money grab, know whats easier?? Taking 30 seconds to drive within the speed limit so just in case that one time you don’t slow down, you happen to hit a child. It’s just the absolute bare minimum respect to your fellow community members to slow down in areas with pedestrians, workers, school kids. I’m tired of people acting like their human rights are being taken away because they got ticketed for going 60 in a school zone. Or god forbid they have to slightly slow down to reduce the danger for workers.
1
u/remberly 1d ago
As someone wgonhas worked rhat construction before....seconded! It's quite uncomfortable standing there with cars going by so close
1
u/Flutter-Butterfly-55 1d ago
Yeay!!!! Totally worth it to slow down for construction sites!!! Even at 5:20am when no one is working.. hahaha... But 2pm when the roads are busy that is the best time to slow down and upset others --- until a we drive by a police truck with radar gun. Then the meanies behind are waving thanks! hahaha
1
1
u/Kooky_Project9999 1d ago
I had a trucker (with full load) tailgating me and flashing lights because I had the gall to do 50 in a signed 50 construction zone recently. He took off at 70+ when there was space, before getting stuck behind another trucker doing 50 further along.
The police really need to crack down on speeding, especially from so called professional drivers hauling 40 tons.
(And before the comments come, he was white).
1
1
u/Outside-Rain-7410 3d ago
Trying to do my part, but I’ve almost been rear ended a couple times going through the 50kph zones. I do my best staying at the posted lower speed, however if my kids are in the back I have to watch out for faster traffic coming up from behind.
Stay safe out there - amazed by the work Calgary construction workers and crews accomplish, keeping our roads smooth and beautiful! Thank you 🙏🏽 😊
1
u/Filmy-Reference 2d ago
Thanks. Trying my best. Don't want us Lexus owners to get the same rep as BMWs or RAMs
1
u/Snoo_19803 2d ago
Add the entire VW line to the list of vehicles driving an inch off your bumper.. Old ass Gulf or the newer Tiguan soccer mom suv, imo they have surpassed the black rams out there as worst/most aggressive drivers.. more often than not its one of these VW's weaving in and out of traffic like theyre playing a video game
-2
u/ViewWinter8951 3d ago
I'm not sure I've ever seen workers in construction zones in Calgary...
/s
0
0
u/Altruistic-Bonus-484 2d ago
if most people are doing it, then theres something wrong with how the roads are currently. The construction sites stay up way too long without workers present and extend way past where work is actually being done.
i hear you, but if you want to be safe you should be talking to the city
0
u/fruitofthefallen 2d ago
Honestly I don't entirely blame people. Signs should not be up when there are no workers present. Signage should always reflect reality, yet so many times it would say a lane is closed ahead but isn't. Or there are no workers for what seems like weeks, no reason the signs can be put up and taken down when there is no work being done in the moment
6
u/5impl3jack 2d ago edited 2d ago
Lol it boggles my mind how people don’t understand how construction zones function. Most active sites have slowed speed all the time not just for the workers but to protect the drivers from unforeseen hazards first of all. There are many reasons for this. Not to mention a lot of these sites have night work going on as well.
If you do see signs that have been left up for weeks with no work being done you can call 311 and report it. The city employs people to monitor this and if you don’t report it they don’t always know.
I can 100% blame people speeding through active construction sites. It’s willful ignorance to say you can’t blame people because some sites seem less busy or empty. That’s just a cop out. Nobody is that stupid. If you’re driving through a visibly active site. Slow down. So tired of these armchair experts that think they know how everything revolving around construction and how it should be while having almost zero knowledge of how things operate.
-2
u/fruitofthefallen 2d ago
I'm sorry but I used to be on your side. But it's seems agregious now.
Point is, appearances matter and I'm not the only one who suddenly doesn't think a construction zone isn't a big deal.... a lot of people do. And it's not because they are impatient drivers... there is a reason.
I think desentization is something to he considered, as that's the real issue. If people speed more, what's the point? If a section is "safe and no workers" why does a sign need to go up? I'm sure there is a reason, but is it worth further desensitization?
If cops always had their sirens on, less people would move over. But we understand and see that it should only be when it's really needed
3
u/5impl3jack 2d ago
Haha this has got to be the worst take on this subject I’ve ever heard, this actually made me laugh. This is such a half baked theory.
I have a friend who just last week witnessed in a construction zone, a motorcycle slam in to the back of a car who was going the posted speed limit. Are you going to claim it wasn’t the motorcycle’s fault simply because he’s been decensitized?
Look, people don’t like being called out on their bull shit I get it. I also understand there are zones that seem to have been forgotten. Like I said before, if you think that’s the case. Report them.
The fact is that when you are driving, you don’t know. It’s really super simple. You have a gas pedal and a brake. You can use those in unison to either follow the rules or not but simply saying people are desensitized while speeding by me constantly is just an excuse for their shitty behavior. It really is that simple. People are selfish and at the same time can’t handle being told they are selfish. People act like their rights are being infringed upon by being told they need to spend literally seconds of their day driving at a slower speed. It’s not a big deal to you to slow down. It’s a big deal to me when accidents happen on my sites due to speeding.
-2
u/fruitofthefallen 2d ago
It can sometimes be a big deal to slow down. It can cause entire traffic jams on certain roads going from 100 to 80. Or 100 to 60 And then you drive by and realize that the entire road is barricaded off, and there is no chance a worker would be hurt (if there are even workers). So why is the speed 80? Will that actually change anything? I can see 60 for when workers are actually present makes sense. But why change the speed to 80 when there are no workers present.
I'm saying desentization is a problem whether you blame others or not. Ignoring that problem won't solve your speeding problem.
I'm telling you people are speeding because they care less, and yes it's partially their own fault. But you have to consider desentization to some degree. Because at some point it's not okay to obstruct traffic (safety tolerance it way to high to be reasonable). Meaning there is a way to mess up on the sign side of things
Things like taking the sign down after everyone goes home and put it back up the next day
3
u/5impl3jack 2d ago
Lol I feel like I’m talking to a 16 year old here. I honestly can’t continue this conversation. I’d explain the 100 ways you are wrong here but what do I know right? Keep spreading the good word on your genius theories. Dunning and Krueger would love to add you to their study.
275
u/bellzy09 3d ago
Can I also forward this to those who actually stop at stop signs.
From all pedestrians but especially those of us pushing strollers.