Galway motorists really grinding my gears

Sniipe · 14-04-2015 3:56pm #1

It really grinds my gears when I queue up on the quincentennial Quincentenary bridge going from the college side to the headford road side. Most of the traffic at or before 6pm wants to go left. The correct lane is the outside one which is very busy. I think too many people cut in front of the queue by driving on the inside lane. They either zoom in front of a car that might have left a gap in front of them or they merge in cheekily when the lane expands/cuts left.

In the same area but to a lesser extent; at morning rush or other busy times coming in the opposite direction the rat race is fierce and cars will use the left lane in front of dunnes and then switch into the one of the two lanes going right.

Too many people are in too much of a rush or are just douche bags.

/rant

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snubbleste · 14-04-2015 4:01pm

Call Joe Keith
Get a bike

Sniipe · 14-04-2015 4:04pm

Bike won't carry 2 young kids and wife (especially on a wet day). I have no idea who Joe/Keith are... radio?

Although a bike could probably be used by a huge chunk of those in that traffic.

snubbleste · 14-04-2015 4:09pm

Joe is like the patron saint of ranting. Keith is the local version.

Anyway, the issue has been going on since the bridge was built. Those people are your neighbours and are most proud of how they drive

Sniipe · 14-04-2015 4:26pm

Its totally not fair to the ethical, well mannered driver. I find these people to be bullies in cars. The majority of them (IMO) are in bigger fancy cars. These guys won't get their come'up'ins and they probably arrive home/work in record time. I have nothing to lose if I was to emulate their style of driving. I'll be home/work 10 min earlier, no one will be pissed off with me that I'll have any direct contact with... (only civil society loses...)

ratracer · 14-04-2015 4:29pm

Is that bridge anywhere near Quincentenary Bridge?

daithi1970 · 14-04-2015 4:37pm

ratracer wrote: »

Is that bridge anywhere near Quincentenary Bridge?

..it's one and the same..:rolleyes:

op, in the grand scheme of things,it's not that big a deal..if you can't beat them,join them..safely, of course...

snubbleste · 14-04-2015 4:41pm

and don't forget that the 50kph limit is only a 'guide'

Fozzie Bear · 14-04-2015 5:29pm

Sniipe wrote: »

It really grinds my gears when I queue up on the quincentennial Quincentenary bridge going from the college side to the headford road side. Most of the traffic at or before 6pm wants to go left. The correct lane is the outside one which is very busy. I think too many people cut in front of the queue by driving on the inside lane. They either zoom in front of a car that might have left a gap in front of them or they merge in cheekily when the lane expands/cuts left.

In the same area but to a lesser extent; at morning rush or other busy times coming in the opposite direction the rat race is fierce and cars will use the left lane in front of dunnes and then switch into the one of the two lanes going right.

Too many people are in too much of a rush or are just douche bags.

/rant

Soooo many cretins driving around Galway. I hold particular hatred for those who zoom up the right hand lane at Dunnes Terryland (for turning right onto the Quinny Bridge) and than indicate left to pull into the correct lane at the last minute (to head in towards town at the Headford Road shopping centre junction). Queuing up like the rest of us is obviously beneath these important people who are in too much of a rush.

I loath you a$$hats and would sooner drive into than let you jump the queue. Glare all you want! It soothes my rage.....

nuac · 14-04-2015 6:30pm

First world problem,

Chill.

Put on some soothing music on your radio

El_Dangeroso · 14-04-2015 6:36pm

My mind is blown that it's called the Quincentenary bridge, I've been pronouncing it wrong for 7 years!

snubbleste · 14-04-2015 6:37pm

nuac wrote: »

First world problem, Chill. Put on some soothing music on your radio

Or oil for your gears

Bobeagleburger · 14-04-2015 9:49pm

People who use the left lane coming to a roundabout and travel 3/4 the way round happens every morning at Menlo park roundabout.

Is it that hard to know how to drive?

Diabhal Beag · 14-04-2015 10:03pm

I always plan for people in Galway not knowing how to use roundabouts but the best is when they use the wrong lane and beep you out of it for watching a road safety ad in the last 20 years.

Bobeagleburger · 14-04-2015 10:07pm

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

I always plan for people in Galway not knowing how to use roundabouts but the best is when they use the wrong lane and beep you out of it for watching a road safety ad in the last 20 years.

It's all well and good using them wrong until they are in a crash and then they're liable

Ludikrus · 14-04-2015 11:08pm

Late merging is actually encouraged in some countries.

"Governments hold campaigns to promote the late merge method because irritation, aggression and feelings of insecurity easily occur while "zipping". Often drivers who change lanes too early don't like to see other drivers continue until the end of the drop-away lane, even though this late merging is encouraged by the authorities. In Belgium, a driver must actually use the late merge by law (a driver can be penalised if he does not). In Austria and Germany only where a traffic sign so indicates."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merge_%28traffic%29

Eeden · 14-04-2015 11:14pm

Ludikrus wrote: »

Late merging is actually encouraged in some countries.

"Governments hold campaigns to promote the late merge method because irritation, aggression and feelings of insecurity easily occur while "zipping". Often drivers who change lanes too early don't like to see other drivers continue until the end of the drop-away lane, even though this late merging is encouraged by the authorities. In Belgium, a driver must actually use the late merge by law (a driver can be penalised if he does not). In Austria and Germany only where a traffic sign so indicates."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merge_%28traffic%29

Also known as zip merging - all this needs is a few signs saying "use both lanes" and "merge at exit" or similar. It is a more efficient use of lanes and fosters a sense of fairness rather than having some drivers thinking that others are getting away with something.

WallyGUFC · 15-04-2015 12:06am

Fozzie Bear wrote: »

Soooo many cretins driving around Galway. I hold particular hatred for those who zoom up the right hand lane at Dunnes Terryland (for turning right onto the Quinny Bridge) and than indicate left to pull into the correct lane at the last minute (to head in towards town at the Headford Road shopping centre junction). Queuing up like the rest of us is obviously beneath these important people who are in too much of a rush.

I loath you a$$hats and would sooner drive into than let you jump the queue. Glare all you want! It soothes my rage.....

This one in particular annoys me, although I'm not sure if it's always intentional. It seems to me that many people mistake the outside right-turning lane (onto the bridge) for a 2nd lane straight into town, it usually seems like rental cars to me or people out on their Sunday drive. The Sunday drivers are another story altogether...

porsche959 · 15-04-2015 12:08am

People are afraid to merge in freeways in Los Angeles.

joeKel73 · 15-04-2015 7:45am

rarnes1 wrote: »

People who use the left lane coming to a roundabout and travel 3/4 the way round happens every morning at Menlo park roundabout.

Is it that hard to know how to drive?

This. Steady stream of cars doing this every morning.

claw14 · 15-04-2015 9:47am

The correct lane is the outside one which is very busy.

Inside lane is left. Outside lane is right.
You should be on the Inside (Left) lane for going Left !!!!

Grinds my gears that

:D:D

McTigs · 15-04-2015 10:44am

Sniipe wrote: »

It really grinds my gears when I queue up on the quincentennial Quincentenary bridge going from the college side to the headford road side. Most of the traffic at or before 6pm wants to go left. The correct lane is the outside one which is very busy. I think too many people cut in front of the queue by driving on the inside lane. They either zoom in front of a car that might have left a gap in front of them or they merge in cheekily when the lane expands/cuts left.

In the same area but to a lesser extent; at morning rush or other busy times coming in the opposite direction the rat race is fierce and cars will use the left lane in front of dunnes and then switch into the one of the two lanes going right.

Too many people are in too much of a rush or are just douche bags.

I cycle across this bridge every morning and every morning at the far end (headford road) without fail cars pull right across the cycle lane to turn left..... you practically have to wave in the window at them as you cycle along side to make sure they don't veer in to your path

Mars Bar · 15-04-2015 10:48am

porsche959 wrote: »

People are afraid to merge in freeways in Los Angeles.

That's such a random post!

Mrs OBumble · 15-04-2015 12:46pm

Mars Bar wrote: »

That's such a random post!

Just like most lane-use in Galway.

Fozzie Bear · 15-04-2015 1:19pm

WallyGUFC wrote: »

This one in particular annoys me, although I'm not sure if it's always intentional. It seems to me that many people mistake the outside right-turning lane (onto the bridge) for a 2nd lane straight into town, it usually seems like rental cars to me or people out on their Sunday drive. The Sunday drivers are another story altogether...

Granted, but you can usally spot the out of towners and thats fair enough. Its the locals who know exactly what they are doing that gets me.

Someone else mentioned the roundabout thing too. Its tradition at this stage to use them incorrectly in Galway. Everyone else is doing it so sure I'll do the same. The people who use them as they should be (correct lane for their relevant exit) are the ones who get blown out of it by the rest. Its particularly galling to see Trucks and Buses using the incorrectly. They are supposed to be professional drivers and yet don't know something as basic as how to use a roundabout.

what_traffic · 15-04-2015 4:11pm

McTigs wrote: »

I cycle across this bridge every morning and every morning at the far end (headford road) without fail cars pull right across the cycle lane to turn left..... you practically have to wave in the window at them as you cycle along side to make sure they don't veer in to your path

I say you have a few close calls there? People not using mirrors - I see it all the time. Can get the same issue on SQR as well but Headford Rd with the Slip lane makes it especially dangerous.

galwayspur · 15-04-2015 11:37pm

Drivers that break the red light at the junction of College Road/Lough Atalia. Red means stop you cretins.

Baggy Trousers · 15-04-2015 11:55pm

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

My mind is blown that it's called the Quincentenary bridge, I've been pronouncing it wrong for 7 years!

It is Quincentennial!

dastardly00 · 16-04-2015 12:02am

Sniipe wrote: »

It really grinds my gears when I queue up on the quincentennial Quincentenary bridge going from the college side to the headford road side. Most of the traffic at or before 6pm wants to go left. The correct lane is the outside one which is very busy. I think too many people cut in front of the queue by driving on the inside lane. They either zoom in front of a car that might have left a gap in front of them or they merge in cheekily when the lane expands/cuts left.

In the same area but to a lesser extent; at morning rush or other busy times coming in the opposite direction the rat race is fierce and cars will use the left lane in front of dunnes and then switch into the one of the two lanes going right.

Too many people are in too much of a rush or are just douche bags.

/rant

It could actually be more efficient and result in less traffic congestion for everyone to use both lanes and then late merge or zipper merge.

If you are travelling westbound on Bothar na dTreabh at 6pm-ish, when you reach the Kirwan roundabout (Menlo/Pillo Hotel) the right lane on Headford Road heading towards town/Quincentenary Bridge is often completely backed-up to the roundabout, but the left lane is relatively empty. If you are planning on crossing the bridge, what's the best thing to do? Drive on to the roundabout and get stuck there? Don't enter the roundabout and block motorists who want to drive up Sandy Road? Or enter the left lane on the Headford Road and then merge into the right lane when there is an opportunity?

Now there are certain drivers who will always use the left lane and then late merge regardless just to 'get ahead'.
Or sometimes if you try to late merge there might not be a gap and you could end up backing up traffic that want to continue on the Headford Road and head into the city centre.

what_traffic · 16-04-2015 12:30pm

Baggy Trousers wrote: »

It is Quincentennial!

It's official name is the Quincentenary Bridge, but the opening of the bridge would have been a Quincentennial Event.

Opinicus · 16-04-2015 12:45pm

People who turn right leaving McDonalds and the IMC Cinema on the Headford road and drive up one side of the double lane one way road looking at you like you're a complete ****ing eejit for driving on their side of the road. I don't usually condone murder but...

I suppose I should just relax, it's not like it's a "real" road anyway, or at least that seems to be their opinion.

galljga1 · 16-04-2015 12:48pm

Sniipe wrote: »

Bike won't carry 2 young kids and wife (especially on a wet day). I have no idea who Joe/Keith are... radio?

Although a bike could probably be used by a huge chunk of those in that traffic.

You think not? Check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fws1XkcTHys

Eeden · 16-04-2015 1:15pm

what_traffic wrote: »

It's official name is the Quincentenary Bridge, but the opening of the bridge would have been a Quincentennial Event.

I once heard someone on AA Roadwatch call it the "Quintessential" Bridge!

dilallio · 16-04-2015 2:12pm

Eeden wrote: »

I once heard someone on AA Roadwatch call it the "Quintessential" Bridge!

I remember that morning.
Jimmy Norman & Ollie Turner were arguing on GBFM over whether it was the Quincentennial or Quincentenary bridge and were overdoing it. We changed the channel only to hear Avril Hoare from AA Roadwatch announcing a traffic buildup on the Quintessential Bridge.

antoobrien · 16-04-2015 3:18pm

galljga1 wrote: »

You think not? Check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fws1XkcTHys

The insurance industry will love to see you coming.

skinny90 · 16-04-2015 4:17pm

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

I always plan for people in Galway not knowing how to use roundabouts but the best is when they use the wrong lane and beep you out of it for watching a road safety ad in the last 20 years.

beat me to it...something about that kirwin roundabout where think its ok to stay on the outside lane when taking the 3rd, 4th, 5th exit

Mrs OBumble · 16-04-2015 9:10pm

Meh ... I just call it the Quin bridges. Covers all options, and everyone who knows roads by their names knows there I mean.

McTigs · 17-04-2015 10:05am

It's called The New Bridge! The new bridge, the new bridge, the new bridge!

That's it and that's all!

The new bridge

apoeiguq3094y · 17-04-2015 10:12am

dilallio wrote: »

I remember that morning.
Jimmy Norman & Ollie Turner were arguing on GBFM over whether it was the Quincentennial or Quincentenary bridge and were overdoing it. We changed the channel only to hear Avril Hoare from AA Roadwatch announcing a traffic buildup on the Quintessential Bridge.

I'm leaving this here:
http://wikimapia.org/1495976/Quincentennial-Bridge

snubbleste · 06-07-2015 4:59pm

How do you feel now OP, three months later?

Sniipe · 06-07-2015 5:13pm

snubbleste wrote: »

How do you feel now OP, three months later?

I'm not angry or bitter any more - but it does still play on my mind. To be fair, traffic has calmed for my commute. I do however block cars on the right lane a tiny bit as I'm on the bridge entering the filter lane.
As for the opposite direction I will now allow for cars to go from the left lane to the right double.

edit: Thanks for looking out for me. I wasn't going to go postal

snubbleste · 06-07-2015 5:17pm

I was worried!
RaceWeek will be a doddle

Wompa1 · 06-07-2015 6:09pm

porsche959 wrote: »

People are afraid to merge in freeways in Los Angeles.

LA is a doddle, you're in traffic most of the time

Now, the M50!! That's another story altogether! I had to beat them to death with their own shoes...

joeKel73 · 06-07-2015 7:05pm

They've removed the lane barrier again from outside Dock No. 1 and lane jumping is back in full swing along the docks (jumping in at the museum box junction). :-/

biko · 06-07-2015 7:08pm

Yup, I've noticed the lane jumpers on the Docks are starting up again. Sometimes they even drive all the way to Spanish Parade (Boojum) and then block the right lane as they try to merge.

GY A1 · 06-07-2015 11:16pm

lucky bag license is all i can say :-(

joeKel73 · 06-07-2015 11:47pm

biko wrote: »

Sometimes they even drive all the way to Spanish Parade (Boojum) and then block the right lane as they try to merge.

Seems to be the driving policy for the Bus Eireann drivers, 401 jumps the lane every time the traffic is slow...

Iwannahurl · 07-07-2015 9:15am

J o e wrote: »

Seems to be the driving policy for the Bus Eireann drivers, 401 jumps the lane every time the traffic is slow...

Buses shouldn't have to queue in traffic. I'd give them a special dispensation, in the same way that I'd give them priority pulling out from bus stops etc.

joeKel73 · 07-07-2015 9:50am

In that case make the right lane a right-turn + bus lane. I see your point but they also shouldn't be able to just create their own bus lanes when and where they like. At the moment they take a few cars along with them when jumping the lane.

Cookie_Monster · 07-07-2015 9:55am

nuac wrote: »

First world problem,

not really, neither heavy traffic nor arseholes are solely a first world problem.

snubbleste · 05-08-2015 3:28pm

Not sure where to put this, but can anyone identify this location and the speed limit on that stretch?
https://twitter.com/GardaTraffic/status/627886410603827200

Galway motorists really grinding my gears

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