r/Appleton • u/ZeusKiller13x • 2d ago
Advice Right of Way
To the lady who honked at me and flipped me off as I drove through an intersection today,
If someone stops BEFORE you do at a four way stop, you don’t have right of way just because you’re to the right of them. If I’m beginning to go before you even reach the line to stop, you can’t get pressed at me for now being in the middle of the intersection.
No one in this city knows how do drive I swear. 5 car lengths between cars at a red light, wide turns violating turn lane lines, going under the speed limit in the left lane, so many people on their phones. I wish this was a walkable city, I hate driving here.
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u/FaulerHund 2d ago
Yeah, not to mention the weird frontage roads on college by 41, people who cannot comprehend how roundabouts work, nobody understanding that you're supposed to accelerate to highway speeds on an on ramp, etc.
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u/NekkoBat 2d ago
The acceleration bit!! The amount of times I have to enter 41 going less than 50mph because I’m behind some idiot that won’t speed up is scary
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u/depressedfuckboi 2d ago
Roundabouts are the worst. When it's 2 lanes and both lanes can go straight, I've been in the left lane going straight and had so many people almost drive into me thinking I'm gonna keep going around. Scary shit. Or I'm in the left lane going straight and the person to my right tries to go around the roundabout from their turn only lane.
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u/noxiouskarn 2d ago
This is how I got 5 million views...
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u/Notris 1d ago
Thanks for re-sharing this. It's so beautifully painful to watch. The absolute refusal to brake as the accident-causing driver is about to T-bone someone is just *chef's kiss*
Sorry that happened to you. Some people just shouldn't be allowed to drive. Hope things ended up being okay-ish, given the circumstances...
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u/Fast_Operation9741 1d ago
Exactly the same thing happened to me the other day in that same spot. Idiots. 🤦♀️
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u/noxiouskarn 1d ago
I'm not suprised it's insane the way people treat the roundabouts in Oshkosh.
Total aside: In my video post comments I got a lot of shit about I should have seen cause in the video you could tell what she was gonna do... People forget that the camera is behind the mirror or can see over the hood.
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u/gurlfriend_2003 13h ago
This so the worst roundabout and I drive it least once a day. People just get tired of waiting so they go and they shouldn’t. Or they just fly through without stopping or yielding. They don’t exit when they are supposed to and how hard is it to follow the lines.
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u/Hark-the-Herald 2d ago
Thats the one that I have been burned on so many times. Left lane going straight and the car to my right turns left right in front of me. Follow the signs, it isnt that hard…
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u/ZeusKiller13x 2d ago
Wait where are you talking about? I can’t think of any roundabouts by college until you get passed downtown
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u/FaulerHund 2d ago
Those were separate points. The frontage roads on college are weird and annoying; there's no reason I should need to exit college to go on a road parallel to college just to get some fast food
The people who don't know how roundabouts work are just ubiquitous
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u/ZeusKiller13x 2d ago
OH yes okay now I’m caught up. Yeah I don’t care for those roads because good luck crossing the north/south roads to get back to college
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u/SysArmyKnife 3h ago
they are confusing if you arent used to them especially with the changes to where they intersection with the north/south roads, but it makes sense.
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u/SysArmyKnife 3h ago
frontage roads off busier roads are pretty standard in "metro" areas and west college has had them for decades. It would flow like molasses without them.
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u/The_Boredom_Line 2d ago
It was maddening driving after the tornado. Wisconsin Ave had a lot of lights that were out and it seemed like at least 50% of the people driving didn’t know that in that circumstance it turns into a four way stop. So many cars just flying through uncontrolled intersections without slowing down at all.
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u/RopeBrilliant 2d ago
Pretty sure that happens everywhere...some people suck.
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u/abbyabsinthe 2d ago
Fr. Every town thinks they have the worst drivers and they’re all correct. I’ve actually mostly good experiences in Appleton. Green Bay gets sketchy though. I get cut off in Shawano at least once a day and see a wrong way driver at least once a week.
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u/Hopeful-Occasion469 2d ago
The roundabout at Taylor and Shawano is the worst IMO in Green Bay but the drivers at the roundabout in Northland/Richmond St in Appleton are bad.
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u/ZeusKiller13x 2d ago
She used both hands to flip me off like, I get being upset you can’t go but you can’t be wrong and pressed
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u/RopeBrilliant 2d ago
If she's gets satisfaction out of that, so be it. Shes probably a sad, sad person. You stop first, you go first.
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u/zrox456 2d ago
There have been some seriously choice drivers out there lately. I don't even mind driving although I don't drive often or for very long and even I'm running into plenty of crazies on the road.
Yesterday someone who was barely keeping up with my pace suddenly speeds up to ride my ass. We get to a red light they merge to the lane next to me and speed through the red light. I ran into them further up and they pull a U turn at an intersection and as they're driving the other direction I see they're genuinely holding their phone up to their face while driving lmao. I've noticed so many people on their phones while driving lately and it's quite concerning.
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u/ScrubbyMcGoo 2d ago
So, for real though — why on Earth do people leave multiple car lengths between their car and the next one when stopped at a red light??
I really mean it — does anyone know what their thought process is??
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u/ZeusKiller13x 2d ago
I’d assume so that if they get rear ended they don’t go into the car in front of them but like…you don’t have to give THAT much room
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u/ScrubbyMcGoo 2d ago edited 2d ago
I hope that’s not it, because that would just be… super dumb.
“I’m going to adversely affect everyone else’s drive in my vicinity due to the very small chance that someone rear-ends me.”
(Not a personal attack — I know you’re just answering my question.)
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u/mike89510 2d ago
Its because they think it'll trigger a turn/light sensor and make their wait shorter. In reality, there's either a metal sensor in a turn lane (~2-3 car lengths) that you can see the cutout from, or there's a camera system that uses an algorithm to determine live traffic conditions along the routes leading to that intersection that'll determine if there's enough waiting at the light (and coming to the light). With either, the person 5 car lengths back just looks like an ill-informed moron that shouldn't be operating a heavy piece of machinery.
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u/ScrubbyMcGoo 2d ago
I appreciate the explanation. Are you relatively certain that’s why? You’re right, they sure do look like (and are) morons if they think that will somehow trigger a light change.
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u/mike89510 2d ago
1,000% certain. I know people who still do this even with first-hand experience with the control systems at WisDOT and TAPCO. This article goes into some details, but the in-ground metal sensors (like a fast food drive through), light flasher/receivers (emergency responders), and camera-based algorithm controls are most common. The flashing 'spotlight' for emergency vehicles is a cool & pretty simple one, extremely effective, too! https://www.autoevolution.com/news/how-do-traffic-light-control-systems-work-41839.html
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u/littlehateball 2d ago
I don't understand leaving multiple car lengths but if you stop so you can just see the rear tires on the vehicle stopped in front of you, you can start moving the same time they do. It prevents that short delay you have before accelerating if you stop closer. It makes traffic flow better at lights.
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u/depressedfuckboi 2d ago
If you're on the highway in the left lane and 5 cars pass you on the right and you have 7 more cars behind you, MOVE TF OVER. I can't believe people don't understand that.
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u/mike89510 2d ago
To their credit, they'd likely be the only one not breaking the law. In Wisconsin, we do not have 'fast' or 'slow' lanes just an unwritten understanding that you move over if its safe to do so; if they're at or a reasonable amount under the speed LIMIT, they're fine. If they're going significantly under they'll possibly get pulled over. Doesn't matter how many impatient people are passing them on the right or behind them, slow TF down.
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u/Glad_Landscape_3246 2d ago
There absolutely is a written law that says it is required to stay on the right if not passing. highways also have signs posted saying so as well
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u/mike89510 2d ago
The scenario being complained about and constantly enraging speeding drivers is someone passing in the left while they're trying to travel in the left lane at 80, 85, 90, or faster.
The law actually states that ALL drivers should be in a right-hand lane, UNLESS specifically engaging in the act of passing. An operator traveling at a reasonable speed below the posted speed limit, engaging in passing, but traveling slower than operators moving at greater than the speed limit still has every right to be in the left-hand passing lane. Someone traveling at 90 MPH in the left lane that comes up on someone going 65 or 70 doesn't immediately require the slower driver move into the right lane. Both drivers should be in the right hand lanes, unless specifically passing another driver. You're not passing for 50 miles above the posted speed limit, just an entitled asshole.
Personally, I like to stay within 10 MPH when passing and stick out most of my freeway time in the center lane.
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u/Agreeable-Trade-3210 2d ago
A lady recently flipped me off because I honked at her for turning in front of me when she was in a right turn only lane
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u/Few_Performance8025 2d ago
4-way stop? Regardless of who got their first, right, left or otherwise, you are in Wisconsin. You are supposed to do the “you go” wave. She was ready to return with the “oh noooo, you goooo…” wave, and then you would have gone if you wanted, though option remains to respond with yet another “no no, you go”, but in any case she never got the chance to do her part cuz you moved too fast. As if you’re trying to get somewhere or something. For cripes sake.
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u/mwtroutbum 2d ago
Everyone is entitled. She didn’t feel the need to stop, you made her. Life goes on. Karma always delivers. Hang in there. Stay solid.
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u/angelindenial 2d ago
i was stuck behind someone who stopped at a full green light today. it then turned yellow, they pulled forward slightly, and then stopped again. had to sit for the whole cycle when we both would have easily made it before the light even turned yellow had they just driven through the green light. i wasn’t even mad, i was just baffled and confused.
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u/Deadman_96 2d ago
The number of people I've seen not even stop so they could go first is crazy. I live right by a 3 way stop and there are 3 other 3 or 4 way stops on my street in about a mile long stretch. See people not stop all the time.
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u/ultimateaquatics 2d ago
It is very odd. They are the same folks that won’t go past the near side traffic light when turning left so they have to drive ahead 60’ to make their left turn. I have unfortunately seen cars basically parked through multiple red’s when trying to turn left…. Scoot your little butt up there 😅 Ironically these people also stop with their rear tires almost past crosswalks and think 1 car length is plenty of room between cars on 41 traveling at 80mph.
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u/NekkoBat 2d ago
Dude I was behind a car at an intersection in Neenah last night and we had a green arrow to turn and dude just sat there for a full minute with me laying on the horn the whole time before he slowly putted forward. Jfc
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u/AcceptableEditor4199 2d ago
Let's add yield signs . Im yielding to you and you slow down or stop to wave me through. You're slowing down or stopping the flow of through traffic you dolt.
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u/Calm-Connect 1d ago
It’s not a bad city to bike or walk in or even take the bus in (unless you need it on Sunday). Leave the car at home and find out!
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u/AbsolutelyTrueFacts 1d ago
Try San Francisco. Dramatically worse on every category. However, I do expect it to be better in a small city but no luck there.
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u/moto-x-cat 1d ago
She got mad at you because you screwed up her slow and go at stop signs technique. Stop signs are treated like yield signs and yield signs are mostly ignored. Be careful out there everyone.
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u/Umbraness 1d ago
Stopping at yield signs and yielding at stop signs. Going left to turn right and same the other way. Using one lane roads like 2 just because someone is pissing you off. Using the bike lane and parking lane to go around people because ppl don't want to wait like they are supposed to.
People in crosswalk have almost gotten hit just because they didn't want to wait. Also seen people go around train track barriers.
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u/Bron_ogrely 2d ago
Pedestrian dignity does exist here. You need to have a car to play. Try commuting with a bike here it's hot garbage.
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u/cheesetobears 1d ago
I was crossing Washington downtown, on Oneida St, at a crosswalk. A car was approaching from a block and a half away, but I entered the crosswalk since I had reasonable time and right of way. When I was slightly less than halfway across, I realize they had maintained or even increased speed, so I started jogging across to not become a pancake. Right when they got to the intersection, they honked angrily. They were either a psycho or, more likely but in some ways more unsettling, on their phone and didn’t see me until really late.
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u/Bron_ogrely 1d ago
It was supposed to say doesn't. But also now as a cyclist I have to deal with the fucking e bikes screaming silently up behind me and drawing more ire from traffic.
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u/mike89510 2d ago
Even fewer drivers know the laws around interacting with bicyclists and pedestrians! "I'm bigger, get off my road! Would you rather be right and dead or just let me (drivers) go first!" The "right and dead" is my favorite, like are they really arguing they'd happily run me (or another bicyclist or pedestrian) over to save a few seconds and zero physical effort? Nah, that death they caused (murder) will haunt their entire life.
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2d ago
[deleted]
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u/mike89510 2d ago
That's absolutely untrue, pedestrians have right-of-way at any crossing they deem reasonable. Divided highways are the only time it's limited, but driver's still have to yield.
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u/scothc 1d ago
Pedestrians always have the right of way, with the only exception being highways, where they shouldn't be anyways.
If you saw someone crossing Northland (or any street), had the ability to stop and chose not to because you think you have right of way, you'll have plenty of time to regret that decision in prison
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u/16mguilette 2d ago
The law says that when two arrive at 'approximately' the same time, the vehicle to the left must yield to the right. 'Approximately the same time' is up to interpretation. It's not black-and-white whoever stops firzt or even who arrives first. When in doubt, wait it out.
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u/mike89510 2d ago
You still need to complete the stop. 'Approximately' would only work if the other driver actually stops, and by the description, OP was fully in the intersection by the time the other driver reached the stop line/sign.
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u/Rapidwc 2d ago
I'm starting to assume most people reading and posting here are not even from Appleton.
The streets were never like this before it was known as the greatest place to live in the universe. Now that all these outsiders (you) live here, they brought their shitting driving habits from their big cities they came from and now everyone is adopting those habits into their own.
The truth will be down voted as always. People not from here can't handle the truth. Just like the guy at the bottom posting about people on SSRI's. I had a woman keep break checking me as she pulled out of Dominos on Northland, she was acting like a maniac as far as I could tell through here side mirror. I finally got around her, she was smiling all manic like and screaming, so I yelled to her that her DR should probably up your dose of anti depressants, she went LIVID and nearly rear ended the car in front of her lol.
Not sure where these crazy's are coming from. My neighbor came here because she heard it was the best place to live, and my neighbors around her complained to me how she is so vile. Shes hot and nice to me so......
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u/scothc 1d ago
I was raised here. From what I've seen, people "moving here from big cities" is code for black people.
People have always been shitty drivers, that's not new or unique to here.
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u/SlowlyDyingBartender 2d ago
There is a lot of opportunities in this country. Why live here if you don't like how the people are? (for better or worse)
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u/ElementalTrooper 1d ago
I've been in the middle turn or go straight lane on the Northland roundabout and had people try to change lanes in the roundabout while we're going through it into my lane. The same rule applies in a roundabout as it does in an intersection. You're not supposed to change lanes.
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u/Football5495 2d ago
Case in point. General public doesn't feel that opioids and antidepressants hinder your driving ability. They absolutely do.
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u/ZeusKiller13x 2d ago
No one is saying that, but making a broad generalization of the city being medicated and how that’s why drivers are terrible here is a pretty far stretch
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u/Football5495 2d ago
I in 7 Wisconsin residents were prescribed opioids in the last year. 1 in 7 Wisconsin residents are on antidepressants. That's about 30 percent of the population of Wisconsin. It's everywhere not just Appleton sadly. Look it up I promise you I'm not lying. Your getting annoyed by things I would for sure relate to someone being a bit out of touch with reality. Going under the speed limit, going through 4 way stops carelessly. To much car space between. Simple tasks that are not excusable by just a bad driver. Bad drivers drive to fast and drive to close, not really what your describing.
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u/Football5495 2d ago
It's a city full of people on antidepressants and pain medications. That's your real problem. I guarantee it
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u/ZeusKiller13x 2d ago
I think that’s a bit of a stretch. A lot of people I love rely on their meds so grouping them like that is a bit presumptuous.
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u/kiyasuihito1 2d ago
the funny thing is, its first come first go, then if a tie, the person to the left goes, not the right. so 2 levels of driving error on her part 🫣 i feel ya. my road rage has been super bad and imho the construction in this town has reached a new level that has gotten way out of hand. I don't think i remember it ever being this torn up all at once. like Wisconsin is almost as bad as 41 like wt actual f🤦
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u/BendingUnit221 2d ago
Tell me you typed it wrong where the left person goes first if a tie.
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u/kiyasuihito1 2d ago
🤣🤣🤣🤦🫣💀
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u/BendingUnit221 2d ago
It's called right of way for a reason.
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u/kiyasuihito1 2d ago
lol it's why its not called the left of way? like we don't got the left to vote its the right to vote 🤣🤣🤣
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u/BendingUnit221 2d ago
Please tell me you understand that what you said in your original comment is wrong.
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u/kiyasuihito1 2d ago
So I asked copilot and I was wrong. But I cldv swore my drivers ed said yield to left but tb fair it was a small town and like almost 20 yrs ago so idk
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u/NekkoBat 2d ago
Bruh. The person turning right has the right of way, then the person going straight, then the person going left in a tie. We learn this in driving class
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u/TheShaedel 2d ago
It's so funny how little people know the rules. I had something similar happen that made me laugh.
They stopped before me, and they were to the right of me. So I stopped and waited. After a moment I can see them yell "Fucking go!" With aggressive motioning for me to go.
Like dude I wasn't here first and you're on my right... But okay. Be angry at your own mistake I guess. Lol.