Land of Oz

Left Turns?!@#

At stoplights that is. I've been noticing a big increase in the number of drivers (and I use the term very loosely) are not making a left turn at a light as soon as it turns green. This is right before the hoard of very impatient drivers goes zooming across the intersection. Now I don't drive a whole lot, but I probably see this happen at least every couple of weeks or more. What are these people thinking?

I don't think it's absentmindedness. I must admit to allegedly doing this very thing about 7 years ago and it still is very vivid in my mind. I was at a three way intersection waiting to turn left and as soon the light changed, I allegedly did just that, just turned without thinking - much to the surprised look at the oncoming driver. I can still remember exactly what intersection this supposedly took place as well.

However, in the cases I've been seeing lately, I don't think that's the reason for them. You can almost always tell when someone is going to do that. They don't really creep up on the intersection, but there's something in their face that says, "I'm going and I'm going now!" Actually, I'm kinda looking forward to seeing the result when one of those quicky left-turners gets in the way of one of those quicky take-offers and the twain meet in middle of the intersection. They're not usually going fast enough to hurt each other, but it should result in a satisfying display of mangled metal. My only hope is that I don't get stuck in the resulting traffic jam.