tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post1994138912244317250..comments2023-04-01T16:25:50.899-07:00Comments on BLOGORRHEA: What Portland Oregon Doesn’t Want You To KnowUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post-51074077027795771192008-04-01T13:03:00.000-07:002008-04-01T13:03:00.000-07:00I'm amused, col...the very same thing happened to ...I'm amused, col...the very same thing happened to me Sunday. I was like, uh, dude, why are you halfway through the crosswalk? So I edged forward to see around him...and the car in the left-hand turn lane drifted forward, blocking my view. I just laughed and gave up. The guy behind me was probably going: why doesn't he turn? He has a free right....Steve Pattersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14588201067230147903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post-18544014628015344542008-04-01T10:14:00.000-07:002008-04-01T10:14:00.000-07:00I think Scott & Steph have got this characterized ...I think Scott & Steph have got this characterized accurately. I just remembered another scenario: In a reasonably-sized car I pull up to a red light in the r.h. lane. I plan to turn right when the cross traffic allows it. Someone in a big SUV pulls up to the same light in the l.h. lane. Then -- in a stunning display of their lack of interest in their effect on other people in this tiny world we all must share -- they edge forward! Thinking what exactly? I no longer can <B>see</B> the cross traffic anymore. This is an unnecessary, avoidable hassle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post-33126036126669467352008-03-27T12:31:00.000-07:002008-03-27T12:31:00.000-07:00Thank you, Mead. Steph and I have a weekly harang...Thank you, Mead. Steph and I have a weekly harangue about drivers here. We moved here from Manhattan where we drove all the time and it's much more nerve-wracking driving in Portland. It's not so much about being more aggressive in New York than here, it's about being aware of your surroundings so that you can actually be conscious of how traffic flows and then play your little part in the dance of the 2-ton monsters. People here live in their own little bubble and don't take into consideration that there are others around them that need to get places too. I swear, Viewpoints training should be a requirement for getting your driver's license in Portland.<BR/><BR/>Two things say it all to me about driving in Portland. 1) What can you expect from a place that people view their car more as an art canvas than as a mode of transportation? 2) What can you expect from a place that has intersections with NO STOP SIGNS!<BR/><BR/>Jeezopetey!<BR/><BR/>scottKarma Chameleonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03534502461502238646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post-64615547999130912482008-03-27T09:57:00.000-07:002008-03-27T09:57:00.000-07:00Guys... dudes... like, chill with the agressive dr...Guys... dudes... like, chill with the agressive driving complaints, huh? You're totally harshing my buzz!<BR/><BR/>Yeah, we're pretty laid back here. It's tempting to make an assumption as to why so many Portland drivers linger, unsure of themselves, at the green light... one might even say a little "paranoid" that something bad might happen... ya know, that might get the po-po involved...<BR/><BR/>But really, what I'm hearing is "People are a lot more agressive in other cities/ states/ towns. What the hell is the matter with these idiots in Portland?" It is definitely a paradigm shift - the laid-back nature of the town is reflected in its driving habits (however annoying they may be). :)Harold Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10374720941804972313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post-77881783151807033162008-03-26T20:24:00.000-07:002008-03-26T20:24:00.000-07:00What delights and gratifies me about your response...What delights and gratifies me about your responses is that you ALL mention things I originally put in my post and then deleted because my jeremiad was already too long. So thanks!<BR/><BR/>And hey, what's with the no turn signals thing??Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02157076523366054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post-63411242172543348882008-03-26T10:28:00.000-07:002008-03-26T10:28:00.000-07:00I even prefer driving in DC to driving in Portland...I even prefer driving in DC to driving in Portland. Sure, you'll see some diplomat's Town Car teetering on top of a fire hydrant or a taxi will cut across six lanes of traffic to pick up a lost tourist, but most folks understand basic concepts like right of way. Grrrr.k. crowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03178564817603564062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post-51824050495418092652008-03-25T14:38:00.000-07:002008-03-25T14:38:00.000-07:00Yes, but interestingly enough, though Oregon drive...Yes, but interestingly enough, though Oregon drivers are maddenly courteous to one another, you try to cross a street as a pedestrian, even when you have the light, and someone wants to turn, man, suddenly it's Deathrace 2000. I'm still expecting, one of these days, someone to get greased on Washington and Broadway.Steve Pattersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14588201067230147903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post-77976224447447591922008-03-25T11:38:00.000-07:002008-03-25T11:38:00.000-07:00Yup, it's all true. A German would commit suicide...Yup, it's all true. A German would commit suicide after experiencing driving here.<BR/><BR/>It took me a number of years after moving here to sloooooow down. Now I am that guy at the intersection, starting to think about pulling out, but not necessarily ready to commit to it today.<BR/><BR/>My own fave in this area, which I have personally experienced twice and have heard others mention, is when the lead car at a light fails to move when the light turns green - and no one beeps.<BR/><BR/>The entire line sits there as the light stays green, while the lead driver does whatever, then the ligh turns back to red. No one moves, no one honks. Everyone is happy. In New York they honk to go when the light is still red! I think the local mind set is: "That's ok, there's tons of greens. We'll get the next one."<BR/><BR/>The slow around town stuff doesn't bother me, but the "Oregon block" on the highway definitely does. That's when two cars get side by side at about 55 mph and just sit there, totally blocking any passing aspirations. It can go on for miles. Again, no one seems to mind or even notice what a sever violation of driving protocol this is. Try that in Europe and you would have an enormous BMW 6 inches from your bumper flashing its lights and beeping its horn.<BR/><BR/>The age old rule of the road: Get out of the way. They should teach this in driver's ed here. If you are not actively passing someone, get in the right lane.<BR/><BR/>Other Oregon motoring observations. Do not use your horn. Ever. If you hear a horn, it's not an Oregonian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post-40238702351491913302008-03-25T08:50:00.000-07:002008-03-25T08:50:00.000-07:00O, I know. The only person I have ever seen execut...O, I know. The <EM>only</EM> person I have ever seen execute this maneuver here is....me. I've come to love the shocked looks on people's face when I do it. It's a small compensation, but it's all mine. Evidently. And yours!Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02157076523366054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166420489614987889.post-90316003292559084952008-03-25T00:18:00.000-07:002008-03-25T00:18:00.000-07:00Heyyyyy, is this a sly way to get lots of comments...Heyyyyy, is this a sly way to get lots of comments? OK, I'll bite.<BR/><BR/>This Portland habit bugs me: "I'm going to turn and I want the far lane way over there, so, now I'm going to hold up all the traffic behind me until not one but two lanes are clear in the cross street, and I will have them both to myself." People should get ticketed for that kind of thing.<BR/><BR/>My other gripe is that many drivers are unaware, and it has consequences for the rest of us, about the legal left turn on red. It turns out that in most places in Oregon, a left turn on red from a two-way to one-way street is legal (after coming to a complete stop, waiting for pedestrians to cross, etc. etc.). Could we put up some kind of station at the border to make sure all entering drivers get this?<BR/><BR/>OK, <B>thank you!</B> I feel so much better now! I had no idea today would bring me this opportunity to gripe. It just goes to show you -- you just never know. :-DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com