This article reminded me of the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_left
Don't forget about the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_left (Jughandle, apparently?)
Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left
111–120 of 132 posts
Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left
#112Earlier quoted context omitted.
as a cyclist in the US there's a very common scenario here, too - turning right, looking left, not looking into the turn and bam, cyclist at high risk. TO CLARIFY - the situation i am most referring to is a cross street, where the car is perpendicular to your path and would be coming from your left as a cyclist.
It's generally a bad idea to "pass on the right", not just for cyclists (tho they are disproportionately harmed).
A bad idea perhaps, but legally required, at least in Denmark. Bikes are suppose to stay as fare right on the road as possible at all time. This means that traffic aren't mixed, which is generally a good idea.
Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left
#113Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is a type of accident that is particular to countries that have bicycle lanes. Cities like for example Berlin have closed a large number of cycle lanes (where they are routed to the right of regular traffic) because of that reason, and replaced them with shared lanes.
In my locale, at least along my commute, the bike and car lanes merge at each major intersection. Maybe avoiding these accidents is the reason.
That's a sensible policy. Here in Jakarta lanes are mostly for decorative purposes only, but the roads are shared by cars, trucks, autorickshaws, motorcycles, and various forms of human-powered cards (either pushed by a pedestrian or with a mechanism based on a bicycle). It is amazingly chaotic.
But one of the first things you learn is not only to be pedantic about signalling when turning but that you need to claim space because otherwise you are asking for an accident and if you are involved in one as a car driver, it doesn't matter whose fault it is: the motorcyclist/bicyclist loses on the physics and the car driver loses in front of the police (that's one way btw that police corruption protects the poor here).
The space-claiming is key. You do not want to be passed on the left while making a left-hand turn (they drive here the same side as in the UK). That has happened to me a couple of times and it is a major reason I do not listen to the radio while I am driving (with motorcylces that way at least I can hear them). Fortunately I haven't hit anyone yet (knocking on wood).
Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left
#114I guess it would be rather easy to identify an off-duty UPS driver, just by analyzing his/her driving pattern.
Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left
#115Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'd be happy if my GPS just stopped sending me on detours through residential areas...
For fun I've used my GPS navigator for parts of the city I know well. I've not found its selected routes to be very optimal, though a couple times it suggested a better route I'd never thought of. I suspect what it needs are 'hints' from human users familiar with the areas.
It's already a GPS... why not just time the routes directly?
(Assuming you're concerned with time, which I assume is at least often the case. For convenience and other 'softer' amenities, hints make much more sense.)
Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left
#116Earlier quoted context omitted.
Actually if you read the entire article it addresses the fact that while UPS finds most left turns inefficient there are some instances where their routing software recommends a left turn.
but the article claims a ratio of 9-1 in favour of right turns, whereas the comment you're replying to implies it's much less than that.
Cutting out left turn makes a bigger difference in cities where turns are more frequent and often require waiting due to oncoming traffic. It saves fuel for UPS, else and for everyone who isn't waiting in a lane blocked by a UPS truck that is waiting to turn left. Now if we can just get others to stop turning left (when it requires blocking a lane). Since not all routes are in cities with dense traffic, not all routes will get the same benefit.
Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left
#117Earlier quoted context omitted.
When I cycle, I never pass a car on the right at a crossroads. Even if they are not signaling a right turn. Regardless of who has the right of way there, I am going to lose a vs. a car.
Indeed. The right of way is indeed cold comfort when you're DEAD. Of course, some times you'll be approaching a crossroads and a car will be approaching it faster and pass you just in time to run you down. :) This is why I have a bell on my bicycle, and ring it any time I have a shadow of an excuse. (I recommend spending a few dollars extra and getting a nice bell that you like the sound of.)
> The right of way. . .
This is a situation where bikes don't necessarily have right-of-way under the law. If there's a bike lane, then yes - and in that case there really should be traffic markings to make it clear to motorists that the right turn lane is on the other side of the lane.
But if not, then bikes are using the same lane as every other vehicle on the road. So when cyclists pass waiting cars on the right at a stoplight, it's just as dangerous and illegal as if a motorcyclist or scooter rider were to do it.
Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left
#118Earlier quoted context omitted.
Indeed. The right of way is indeed cold comfort when you're DEAD. Of course, some times you'll be approaching a crossroads and a car will be approaching it faster and pass you just in time to run you down. :) This is why I have a bell on my bicycle, and ring it any time I have a shadow of an excuse. (I recommend spending a few dollars extra and getting a nice bell that you like the sound of.)
don't count on the bell. it can barely be heard from inside a car
Especially with the radio on.
Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left
#119Earlier quoted context omitted.
Indeed. The right of way is indeed cold comfort when you're DEAD. Of course, some times you'll be approaching a crossroads and a car will be approaching it faster and pass you just in time to run you down. :) This is why I have a bell on my bicycle, and ring it any time I have a shadow of an excuse. (I recommend spending a few dollars extra and getting a nice bell that you like the sound of.)
don't count on the bell. it can barely be heard from inside a car
I've been wondering about these for dealing with that issue - anyone have any experience with one?
http://deltacycle.com/airzound-horn
Heck, I'd appreciate having a version for pedestrian use, too, sometimes.
Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left
#120Earlier quoted context omitted.
You can register your address at ups.com and have them reroute or hold it before the first attempt.
... for $5 a pop.
You can "Hold for Will Call" (Request packages to be held for pickup at a UPS facility) for free -- but the usefulness of that will depend on the hours and location of your local UPS facility.
You can also sign for the package online or provide the driver with "leave with..." instructions.