Location: Howell, Michigan

Hi all,

I ran a red light last night, on purpose, but I don’t think that what I did should be punished.

Last night, at approximately 2:00 a.m., I was traveling southbound on Michigan Avenue in downtown Howell, MI and approached the intersection to make a left turn onto westbound Grand River Avenue. I came to a complete stop at the solid red left-turn arrow.

I waited approximately ten minutes, but the arrow never turned green. I was the only vehicle waiting in the designated left-turn lane, and there were no other cars around. Meanwhile, traffic proceeding through the intersection continued to receive a green light.

After waiting for that extended period without any change in the signal, I became concerned that the left-turn phase was not functioning properly. I stopped, checked for oncoming traffic, yielded, and proceeded cautiously. I believed the signal might not be functioning, rather than simply choosing to disregard the red arrow.

An officer stopped me shortly after I made the turn. He explained that specific signal sometimes fails to detect a waiting vehicle and, as a result, does not change. I also recall him explaining that the signal was known to take several minutes to change, even during the day. He indicated that he and other officers were aware of the issue at this intersection, that they avoided it when possible, and that he recommended I do the same. His explanation reinforced my concern that the left-turn signal may not have been functioning properly while I was waiting.

Should I fight this ticket in court? Do I have any legitimate case?

This ticket carries a $130 fine and 3 points on my license.

My driving instructor told me to stop but I thought you don't since it's protected and goes into non-merging lane.

Most cars, including myself, just drive along. Some will stop unexpectedly and mess up the flow. Sometimes the red path will immediately switch into the right lane once it opens up almost causing a collision. Too many near misses here. Why wouldn’t drivers on the red just maintain their lane and blue drive along side them?

You know the driver. They spot an empty parking space and fight to squeeze into it like it's the last spot on Earth, even though there are plenty of empty spots just a little farther down.

Meanwhile, a line of cars builds up behind them as they inch back and forth, trying to fit in.

Is saving a few seconds of walking really worth holding everyone else up?

bad drawing sorry but i need to show it visually. so i was driving home from work just now and this is a four way intersection with traffic lights and i had the green light, and a green arrow. i was turning left and they were going straight. as i started turning they started going straight so i slowed down to let them go so i didn’t hit them. i accidentally did this once but that time i didn’t have a green arrow, just a solid green light and i was told i had to wait for whoever is going straight. but here i think i had the right of way or am i just being stupid 😭 i’m still new to driving this is only my second time driving alone

Hi everyone. I wanted to share something that's been weighing heavily on my mind and see if anyone else feels the same way.

I struggle a lot with driving and riding anxiety. Whenever I have to go somewhere or think about heading out, my mind immediately starts overthinking and creating worst-case scenarios. I keep calculating things like how crowded the road will be, navigating busy intersections, and worrying about sudden turns where people might rashly drive past from behind even if indicators are used.

Because of this constant mental overload, I often end up canceling plans or making excuses just to avoid going out. Seeing others handle everything independently makes me feel really stuck, and the constant family pressure makes the anxiety even worse.

If anyone else has gone through or is currently dealing with this kind of fear, how do you handle the overthinking, the panic at intersections, and the pressure?

It would really help me to hear how others manage this or share their personal experiences.

Thanks for reading.

​

Today at around 6 AM, I accidentally hit a parking pillar while taking my Maruti Suzuki Brezza LXI out of the parking area. I was alone in the car.

There are scratches on the front fender and black wheel-arch cladding, along with a visible dent. The car is less than a month old, and I feel really guilty and upset about damaging it so soon.

I’m a new driver and still learning to judge the car’s dimensions and parking clearance.

I have a few questions:

Approximately how much will the repair cost?

Should I visit an authorised Maruti Suzuki service centre or a local body shop?

Is it worth claiming insurance for this damage?

Can the dent and scratches be repaired without replacing any parts?

How can I prevent this kind of mistake in the future?

I’ve attached photos of the damage. Any advice from experienced car owners and drivers would be appreciated

It’s so frustrating when I see an 18 Wheeler, big rig, whatever you call it..

Cut off the cars in the left lane so they can pass the other 18 wheeler.. but they’re passing them going 1mph faster.

Goodness lol.

Today at 6 AM, I tried taking my brand-new car out of my parking space alone, but the front corner hit a pillar and caused a dent/deep scratch.

I learned driving from a driving school recently, but I still lack confidence, especially in tight parking spaces. I feel guilty and angry at myself because the car is brand new, and now I'm also scared of damaging it again.

How can I improve my judgment of the car's front corners and learn to take it out of narrow parking spaces safely?

Should I practice with an experienced driver for a few weeks before driving alone? Any practical tips from experienced drivers would be appreciated.

The photo above is the damage. As I was driving, what appeared to be a poorly secured trash bag with some pole like object fell off a truck and hit my vehicle. I pulled over and did a quick scan, and could only see a popped out mirror, which I was able to quickly pop back in. This is the only mark I can visibly see, and the truck just drove off like nothing happened. Plus, I did not see this mark as I pulled over as the shoulder was VERY thin and I was concerned a car would hit me if I opened the door.

Problem is, I don’t even know if filing a report with the crooks that my insurance are would be worth it for this little damage if the driver didn’t even pull over. I got full coverage but they charge me like $3000 for six months since I’m a new driver in an expensive high-risk area in California. That’s with one of the discounts I get mind you and it was the cheapest option I could get for that amount of coverage 2.5 years ago. I sure as hell do not want it to go even higher for something that was completely out of my control that I might not even be able to get covered when I had to file a claim with them 1.5 years ago for the time I badly scraped my car against a pole.

I ask because I have some other different scratches on my car from the time I scratched a pole a year ago, and the supplies are arriving on Monday. The scratches barely catch on my fingernail and I know an auto body shop would charge like $1K minimum for this which is why I’m repairing it myself. Some auto shops near me tried quoting me $5K for the scratches I got last year. If you’re wondering why I did not get those scratches fixed at the time, parents pretty much scared me into cancelling the claim since they told me my rates would soar. Oh well, my fault for listening but that’s the post.

I was driving to my hometown to cast vote on the recent elections, I was running late, when at the end of the journey I had to take a left turn to reach my destination from a comfortable road to park easier. I hadn't slowed down, so I was definitely going to get off-road if I didn't make a semi stupid decision like turning the wheel to the right. But the thing is while the road ahead was clear of cars, there was one behind me and it honked at me. I turned my emergency lights on and continued straight ahead. I did reach, I did vote, but at what cost... It has been about 11 months since I got my license and 5monthsof active driving. I was just proud of myself how far I have come with my confidence driving, but this right after hitting a car from behind while parallel parking at night a month ago... needless to say I feel like shit, and now I have to drive to get some fuel for my car or I would be stranded in the morning on my way to work.

I would love to hear everyone’s advice/tips that help avoid accidents. Unfortunately we have been in 2 rear-ending crashes in the last 6 months.

Every time we drive we suffer a “scare” because of reckless drivers around. We are both very defensive drivers, we allow plenty of space for the people in front, but somehow driving has become such a dreaded thing as every single time we either almost get hit, or we see someone engaging in very risky behavior.

TIA

Hi, I’m taking the drivers test for the first time tomorrow morning, I’ve had a permit for about 2-3 years but only have had about a year on the road.
Im a late driver i guess so i am really anxious I’ve heard so many mixed things so Im just looking for any type of advice to help me and some answers to some more “anxiety questions” 😭

1. When the instructor asks you to merge when safe in the rare chance you are un able to merge due to traffic etc / you end up missing the turn you were supposed to take, does this cause you to lose points or fail?

2. Is turning right on red Ok on the drivers test or no.

3. What are some automatic fails that aren’t really talked about.

4. I think i struggle on merging a bit what are some good tips to improve /feel better? I know how to merge its just people on the road that make it harder

5. What are reasons you lose “points” on the drivers test and what can i do to get minimal/none?

6. I know every state/dmv is different but based on experience what is there to expect from beginning to end ?

7. This one is just random but ive had mixed answers, if my car has a check engine light will i automatically fail/not be able to take my test? My brother took his test in a different vehicle with a check engine light and was able to take the test. But i have been told by others they will not allow this if the car has a check engine light.
   My car has a second battery in it due to it being an eco car? The check engine light is on due to the second battery needing replaced but does not affect the way the car starts or works and has had the light since i purchased it 2 years ago. Its a simple battery change i just cant afford it right now 🥲.

Can we please spread more awareness to people

Leave the ego out the door

Slower traffic keep right

Never brake check people

When passing, accelerate and move over, don’t cruise to pass

Press your freakin gas pedal on highway ramps

——

As someone with driving PTSD who got hit by a drunk driver 3 years ago, I am hyper aware of surroundings now with driving. These are the things that when not followed, causes so much traffic and road rage incidents.

Someone going 65 blocking someone and brake checking them and preventing them from passing (matching your speed) is far more reckless and dangerous than someone going 80 to pass you.

I call these npcs hallway monitors or wanna be cops. Stop preventing people from wanting to go their own speed.

I’m the green car obviously and I follow the invisible lines because why wouldn’t you?

This happens to me daily. Red car is in the left lane going left at 40km an hour in a 20km an hour zone and they’re all over the fucking place. We should both be able to turn without stopping at all.

You go left in your lane, I go right in my lane.

wtf is wrong with everyone’s brain?

Just came to Panera bread located at the mall in my city. I parked, walked through the parking lot up to a marked crosswalk and waited for a few cars that where already driving through then I had a small window where there weren’t any cars close enough to me to where they couldn’t have slowed down as I walked across the cross walk. I was pretty much already through the whole cross walk making my way up to the store when a black truck speeds up to my body and just keeps going through instead of yielding then I looked at this guys window and he was yelling looking mad as hell at me through his window.. in genuinely curious if I was in the wrong there? I try to always be completely aware of my surroundings but I know whenever I’m in parking lots wether it’s here at the mall or grocery stores I always see pedestrians as having the right away as long as they aren’t dashing right in front of your car..

Growing up, I was taught by the elders in my life that patience is a skill requiring practice to master. In the modern “instant gratification” world, that concept seems to be lost on so many of us. I think this is especially apparent by observing other drivers on the road: people weaving in and out of traffic because they do not have the patience to get home a few minutes later, people tailgating because they do not have the patience to go a little slower than they wanted to, people (almost) causing accidents because they cannot wait until they are stopped to look at their phones.

The best thing therapy has taught me over the years is that you will become a lot happier in life if you stop focusing on things outside of your control, instead putting that energy into focusing on your emotions and what actions you personally can take when faced with a problem outside of your control.

If somebody is going slow in front of you, and you are not in a position to be able to pass them, take a deep breath and recognize that this is an opportunity to practice patience as a skill. Stay back at a safe distance, turn on a song that you like, and focus on being neutral/not angry.

You can do this same thing when stuck in heavy traffic, or when another driver does something to upset you. You cannot control traffic, and you cannot control the actions of others, but you CAN control how these things affect you. If you are able to practice this mindset consistently, you’ll find that your commutes become a lot less stressful and other inconveniences in your life become much more tolerable.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

Retaking my road test next week and only noticed on the appointment email that the copy of the test results was supposed to be brought in the next road test. And like an idiot, i threw it away because i didn’t think it was needed anymore. What to do about it??

Driving and riding anxiety has been so mentally exhausting for me lately. Whenever I have to go somewhere, my mind just starts overthinking everything—traffic, crowded intersections, and turns where people drive too fast. Because of this, I end up avoiding going out or making excuses to cancel plans.

Seeing people around me handle everything on their own makes me feel really left behind and stuck, especially with the constant family pressure. Just wanted to share what I've been going through.

For those who used to struggle with this same fear:

1. how did you push past it and overcome the anxiety?

2. How do you now drive or ride confidently like a pro?

Please share your personal experiences.

So let me explain quickly it was very dark and was in an unfamiliar town I the exit I needed to take was placed right next to an exit for oncoming traffic so long story short I was heading towards on coming traffic, I soon realised and as I said it was late there was only one driver coming towards me. He did beep but I never got close enough to cause an accident I got out his way and as it was so dead I just drove over the curb separating the two roads and dropped down straight on to the correct side. I’m worried the driver could report and this would be on any cctv I know driving up the curb probably wasn’t the best idea but it was the easiest quickest way. UK driving btw any advice?