On the way home last night I observed a common phenomenon, rooted in the guiding principal for all Utah driving: do not let common courtesy, common sense, or traffic laws inconvience you in your driving pursuits.
The setting: two lanes going east, two going west, turn lane in the middle. The car: stopped in the right traffic lane, adjacent to a garage entrance to the right, signalling a left turn.
Let's face it, trying to make decisions when the car is rolling is difficult - especially when you're talking on the phone. So of course a full stop in the middle of the road is required, and there's no time to pull out of traffic.
Next point: why shouldn't you make a left turn from the far right lane?
Of course, as I am rolling up behind him I am trying to assess how to pass. As he is signalling left, a cautious pass on the right seems a possibility. Heading toward that direction, the signal is changed to a right hand, and the car starts moving right, appearing to be headed into the garage.
Ok - glad to see a decision was reached, after who knows how much hand wringing. Now that the decision is made, and I am rolling up on them, I initiate the pass on the left.
As I reach them, the decision is overturned, and the turn signal is changed to left again. At this point I am commited, so I have to use the urban cyclist horn, e.g. yell at them as loud as I can. This is a suprisingly effective technique, and the driver hits the brakes hard and I roll past unscathed. Some dignity was also preserved as I did not need to use profanity in this instance.
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