I’d like to take a quick break away from my state of relaxed bliss to inform drivers of Peoria of something very simple and basic.
I swear – people either don’t pay attention to ANY traffic signs or else they are just plain idiots.
There is one particular intersection that seems to be greatly affected by such drivers. It’s the right-hand turn from northbound Allen Rd to eastbound Pioneer Pkwy:
From the above image, it might not be entirely clear that there is a dedicated lane for those that turn right, so here are a couple of pictures from Google Street View:
Notice the sign? It’s there, and it’s accurate. There really are TWO lanes on Pioneer Pkwy, and one is dedicated for those that are turning right.
So, what baffles me the most is the way that this corner gets backed up EVERY MORNING that I attempt to go through it on the way to work. People start to round the corner, and then they stop to yield to the traffic that is turning left onto the same road. They will come to a full and complete stop until all of the “left turners” have passed, and then they will quickly accelerate to merge into the left lane.
Seriously?! Seriously. People. You have your own FRIGGIN’ lane. Claim it! If you don’t claim your lane, then the “left turners” will take it for themselves. Don’t let those Commie Jerks* take away what is rightfully yours! If you let them take your lane, or even merge to let them go first, you’re letting down your country. Just sayin’…..
Okay, now back to my good mood. 
*I have no way of knowing if any of the “left turners” are actually affiliated with the Communist Party, nor whether they are nice people. This is just a generalization made for expressive purposes.
We have one of those at Jupiter and George Bush here… UGHHHH. I don’t understand what part of the Texan’s brain can’t understand that ANY time you make a right turn, you are supposed to turn into the right-most (nearest), lane — not cross 3 lanes like you’re an 18 wheeler who needs all that turning radius.
Now you know why I don’t miss driving in Peoria. Though, honestly, I can’t say it has been any different in any of the other cities in which I’ve lived. In general, the American public is too self-centered and inattentive.
Speaking of inattentive drivers….
Just this morning on the way to work, an inattentive driver allowed her car to drift from the right lane into my truck which was ahead of her in the left lane. Her driver side from bumper met my passenger side door. I heard the impact and felt it. We were only going about 20mph on a city street.
No real damage to my truck. No dents. Just scrapes in the paint that will buff out. Her side mirror left a scrape almost the length of the bed of the truck.
Her car will need a new front bumper and side mirror housing.
American Made Steel (my truck): 1
Japanese Made Plastic (her car): 0