Comments on: The Austin Traffic Report http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/ Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:07:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Greg http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-7371 Greg Thu, 11 Aug 2005 03:05:47 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-7371 Thanks for the comment Lily, even if "months later". I can certainly understand your reluctance to turn right when you can't see oncoming traffic. I was hit by a large truck in '95 just after making a turn, so I'm a bit overly cautious myself. Thanks for the comment Lily, even if “months later”. I can certainly understand your reluctance to turn right when you can’t see oncoming traffic.

I was hit by a large truck in ‘95 just after making a turn, so I’m a bit overly cautious myself.

]]> By: Lily http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-7370 Lily Thu, 11 Aug 2005 02:58:19 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-7370 o.k., this is months later, but I do have two comments about the people who won't turn right on red. (I agreed with much of the rest.) I usually turn right on red, but there are a few exceptions. Sometimes there is a sign that says, "No Right on Red", and it's usually there for a good reason (limited visibility, heavy pedestrian traffic, etc.) Another place that has limited visibility is the corner of Robert E. Lee and Barton Springs. I'm a little short person in a relatively small car. When I am at that corner, I can't see the traffic comming from the left due to the bridge, and the big cars in the left turn lane beside me. (and it is hard to see pedestrians approaching from the right, due to the cliff, so it's not a good idea to inch out into traffic there.) The behemoth SUV's who are behind me can see the oncoming traffic -- because their vehicles are larger and the road is actually elevated somewhat compared to where my car is. To summarize, if I can see the traffic and pedestrians clearly, sure I'll turn right on red (or left on red when allowed) -- if not, I'm going to wait for the light. Sorry for the inconvenience, lol! o.k., this is months later, but I do have two comments about the people who won’t turn right on red. (I agreed with much of the rest.) I usually turn right on red, but there are a few exceptions. Sometimes there is a sign that says, “No Right on Red”, and it’s usually there for a good reason (limited visibility, heavy pedestrian traffic, etc.) Another place that has limited visibility is the corner of Robert E. Lee and Barton Springs. I’m a little short person in a relatively small car. When I am at that corner, I can’t see the traffic comming from the left due to the bridge, and the big cars in the left turn lane beside me. (and it is hard to see pedestrians approaching from the right, due to the cliff, so it’s not a good idea to inch out into traffic there.) The behemoth SUV’s who are behind me can see the oncoming traffic — because their vehicles are larger and the road is actually elevated somewhat compared to where my car is.

To summarize, if I can see the traffic and pedestrians clearly, sure I’ll turn right on red (or left on red when allowed) — if not, I’m going to wait for the light. Sorry for the inconvenience, lol!

]]> By: Annie Stuard http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-325 Annie Stuard Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:19:16 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-325 Hi Greg! Love your website. In regard to Austin traffic, I consider myself a liberal and only make left-hand turns. :) Hi Greg! Love your website. In regard to Austin traffic, I consider myself a liberal and only make left-hand turns. :)

]]> By: Greg http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-92 Greg Fri, 22 Oct 2004 08:07:39 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-92 That story seems to be making the rounds. The local news covered it last night. They interviewed some guy out on the interstate that said he didn't believe it because he'd never had a heart attack. In other news, it turns out stupidity is a disease. That story seems to be making the rounds. The local news covered it last night.

They interviewed some guy out on the interstate that said he didn’t believe it because he’d never had a heart attack. In other news, it turns out stupidity is a disease.

]]> By: Clay http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-85 Clay Thu, 21 Oct 2004 12:16:57 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-85 Hey, check out this research study. Looks like people who sit in traffic are more likely to suffer a heart attack within the hour: http://tinyurl.com/4d3jb Hey, check out this research study. Looks like people who sit in traffic are more likely to suffer a heart attack within the hour:
http://tinyurl.com/4d3jb

]]> By: Greg http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-83 Greg Tue, 19 Oct 2004 23:27:39 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-83 Well, I'm certainly not shocked. I think they might have quoted my grandma. Well, I’m certainly not shocked. I think they might have quoted my grandma.

]]> By: Clay http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-82 Clay Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:05:56 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-82 Hey, Greg, read through this and when you get to the last sentence, tell me how proud you are of your great State of Texas: http://tinyurl.com/684hf hehe. Hey, Greg, read through this and when you get to the last sentence, tell me how proud you are of your great State of Texas:
http://tinyurl.com/684hf

hehe.

]]> By: Fernando Dunn II http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-81 Fernando Dunn II Mon, 18 Oct 2004 22:23:20 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-81 kartooner: I've been contemplating plans for that for years now. It'd be like machine gun on hummer meets go go gadget car lazer. kartooner: I’ve been contemplating plans for that for years now. It’d be like machine gun on hummer meets go go gadget car lazer.

]]> By: Greg http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-80 Greg Mon, 18 Oct 2004 05:08:02 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-80 That is a good question, and I think about that every time we nearly get killed trying to hit the Cheddar's entrance from I-35. The Republicans are too busy rigging district lines to worry about real problems. All these posts and this is the one you comment on? Haha...where have you been? That is a good question, and I think about that every time we nearly get killed trying to hit the Cheddar’s entrance from I-35. The Republicans are too busy rigging district lines to worry about real problems.

All these posts and this is the one you comment on? Haha…where have you been?

]]> By: Storm http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-79 Storm Sun, 17 Oct 2004 22:01:40 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-79 One question: I've traveled all over Texas, and I'd like to know why Austin is the only city that doesn't have the "Yield to Ramp" signs at freeway exit ramps? It would make that exit and dodge for the far right lane so much less dangerous. With all the Republicans running around the capital grounds, you'd think they'd make this a priority to help assist in all those right turns! One question: I’ve traveled all over Texas, and I’d like to know why Austin is the only city that doesn’t have the “Yield to Ramp” signs at freeway exit ramps? It would make that exit and dodge for the far right lane so much less dangerous. With all the Republicans running around the capital grounds, you’d think they’d make this a priority to help assist in all those right turns!

]]> By: Greg http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-78 Greg Thu, 14 Oct 2004 05:34:28 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-78 Zipcar sounds pretty cool, and if I lived in downtown Austin, that would be a great idea. They might even have something like that already. It would be really cool to live in a city where you could walk everywhere. Unfortunately Austin is really spread out (about 252 square miles), and I live in the Northwest part of town where it would be tough to get by without owning a vehicle. I’ll sell everything once my application for that Real World firehouse is approved. Haha...I'm clueless. I had to look up spreewells. Zipcar sounds pretty cool, and if I lived in downtown Austin, that would be a great idea. They might even have something like that already. It would be really cool to live in a city where you could walk everywhere. Unfortunately Austin is really spread out (about 252 square miles), and I live in the Northwest part of town where it would be tough to get by without owning a vehicle. I’ll sell everything once my application for that Real World firehouse is approved.

Haha…I’m clueless. I had to look up spreewells.

]]> By: Clay http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-77 Clay Thu, 14 Oct 2004 03:32:08 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-77 I don't have a car here in Boston. I sold mine before moving here. There's a nifty little service called Zipcar that provides rental cars that are scattered around the city. Want a car? Book a zipcar for the day, and then walk 2 blocks to pick it up. No insurance. No gas money. More exercise. No sweet muscle car to pimp up and cruise the street in with my spreewells. I don’t have a car here in Boston. I sold mine before moving here. There’s a nifty little service called Zipcar that provides rental cars that are scattered around the city. Want a car? Book a zipcar for the day, and then walk 2 blocks to pick it up. No insurance. No gas money. More exercise. No sweet muscle car to pimp up and cruise the street in with my spreewells.

]]> By: Greg http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-75 Greg Wed, 13 Oct 2004 23:15:45 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-75 <strong>Kartooner:</strong> Yes, laser beams would me most effective. Insert maniacal laugh here. <strong>Clay:</strong> I suppose I could make that argument, but I can see why people would want to take advantage of working in the city and living in the country, or in a smaller town. Of course, considering the time, stress, and high price of gasoline, I’m not sure it’s worth it even then. <strong>Del:</strong> That would be convenient, but I’d probably still want a car even if I didn’t need one. I’ll trade in the insurance payment though. Haha…I’m glad you’re not bitter. That makes one of us. Kartooner: Yes, laser beams would me most effective. Insert maniacal laugh here.

Clay: I suppose I could make that argument, but I can see why people would want to take advantage of working in the city and living in the country, or in a smaller town. Of course, considering the time, stress, and high price of gasoline, I’m not sure it’s worth it even then.

Del: That would be convenient, but I’d probably still want a car even if I didn’t need one. I’ll trade in the insurance payment though. Haha…I’m glad you’re not bitter. That makes one of us.

]]> By: Del http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-74 Del Wed, 13 Oct 2004 22:04:11 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-74 Move somewhere where you can walk or bike to work, no need to even have a car then, I did this and don't have a car cause I can't drive. Then when they make you redundant 18 months later, you don't even have to leave the house most days. I'm not bitter. Move somewhere where you can walk or bike to work, no need to even have a car then, I did this and don’t have a car cause I can’t drive. Then when they make you redundant 18 months later, you don’t even have to leave the house most days.

I’m not bitter.

]]> By: Clay http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-73 Clay Wed, 13 Oct 2004 17:35:42 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-73 Couldn't you make the argument that living somewhere that requires a long commute to work is in itself idiotic? I can't imagine spending so much of my day in a car. Couldn’t you make the argument that living somewhere that requires a long commute to work is in itself idiotic? I can’t imagine spending so much of my day in a car.

]]> By: kartooner http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-72 kartooner Wed, 13 Oct 2004 14:52:08 +0000 http://www.secondnegative.com/archives/2004/10/13/the-austin-traffic-report/#comment-72 I would love to put "freakin' laser beams" on the front of my Corolla to protect myself from the driving population, but alas, it just isn't cost-effective nor is it legal (in most States). I would love to put “freakin’ laser beams” on the front of my Corolla to protect myself from the driving population, but alas, it just isn’t cost-effective nor is it legal (in most States).

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