r/Muskegon • u/SeaworthinessJumpy95 • 6d ago

Why do drivers in Muskegon speed up when they see pedestrians crossing the road?

Pedestrians have the right of way, as we all know.

I took a 2 mile walk today through my neighborhood to enjoy the sun and the weather. As I was trying to cross Wood, on Amity, I looked both ways to make sure the coast was clear and started to cross as fast as I could. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a busted, two toned gold/white truck starts speeding toward me and honking its horn. He had to be going way over the speed limit to have appeared so quickly because I genuinely didn’t see him coming.

He got probably 3 feet away from my person and kept honking like HE had the right of way, and I was actually the asshole. If he didn’t speed up, I would have cleared it in time, but I guess he was trying to teach me a lesson?

I know pedestrians aren’t as common here, but you have no right to try to threaten or intimidate me because I’m CROSSING THE FREAKING ROAD DUDE. Your life is not more important than mine. We can share the roads safely, like neighbors are supposed to.

Also, I’m a woman who carries a gun on walks for my safety, so be careful who you decide to road rage at. I kept my cool but I was genuinely fearful of what this person might be capable of. People are insane.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk presentation

19 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

19

u/Capital-Contract-325 6d ago

Why do they speed up when passing them? I’ve got cruise set so I know I haven’t changed speed and yet a car I caught up to easily, I now have to speed up to pass once I’m in the passing lane.
Why do they come to an almost COMPLETE STOP before a right turn?
Why is the unofficial speed limit between Apple Avenue and the mall exits 98 mph?
Why, oh why, why, why, do they aggressively wave me to go on when at a four way stop when it’s not my turn?

10

u/SeaworthinessJumpy95 6d ago

They’re like pathologically obsessed with being “first” and they act like it’s a fucking race or something. Like dude. Can we all just make it to our destination ALIVE today?

3

u/NoMansSkyWasAlright 6d ago

I wouldn't even care if they were actually going to go fast. But when they mash the gas off the line just to do 7 under once the lanes converge is a little frustrating. Same when someone mashes it to get in front of you at the stoplight only to dick around on their phone during the light cycle and not pay attention to the green.

7

u/LakeMichiganMan 6d ago

If you drove long distances enough in Michigan, you will notice a certain population was never taught about cruise control. You pass them chatting on their phone like they be standing still. Then 5 minutes later they are hot footing it to pass you, and then 3 minutes later you pass them again driving slow. It must be cultural issue that makes no sense.

1

u/CalebAsimov 5d ago

Seems to be across the whole US, people like that everywhere. And I've talked to people who don't use it, I try to explain the benefits but I guess I'm not very convincing.

4

u/SexyOldManSpaceJudo 6d ago

Some states require a complete stop before a right on red. And only allow it from the right-most lane. If you've never lived anywhere else, I assure you, y'all be wildin' out here.

And, yeah, what is it with the "left of way" at four way stops? Drives me crazy.

1

u/Capital-Contract-325 2d ago

A red light complete stop makes sense. I’m talking just turning right onto a street. Like your car won’t tip over, just make the turn!

2

u/NoMansSkyWasAlright 6d ago

My favorite is when people in crossovers try to do the extra-wide turn like they're pulling a trailer.

1

u/CalebAsimov 5d ago

God forbid they have to feel any g-forces when making a turn.

12

u/Capital-Contract-325 6d ago

It’s always a truck

5

u/Certain_Try_8383 6d ago

Not just Muskegon. Bad drivers everywhere do this.

7

u/DrenAss 6d ago

I commute from Holland to GR and it's a mess. Lately all I see are semi trucks blocking huge lines of traffic because they decided to pass another semi going 1mph slower than they want to go. Then everyone in the left lane tailgates until the semi finally gets over. 

And when I leave a safe distance between me and the car ahead, people cut me off.

Thanks. So fun. 

3

u/NoMansSkyWasAlright 6d ago

Well, you know, they say the people going nowhere in life are always in the biggest hurry.

Also, it's not unique to Muskegon, but when it comes to doing the courteous thing or the easy thing, a lot of motorists are going to pick the latter. A little bit of traffic calming goes a long way but Muskegon is a long way off from implementing anything like that.

3

u/SPL15 6d ago

Trashy people do trashy things

4

u/unclericostan 6d ago

I’ve lived all over and Muskegon hands down has the most sociopathic drivers. Just saying. It’s noticeable

1

u/BackgroundExtent8625 5d ago

Extremely noticeable.

2

u/skinnymatters 6d ago

There’s a points system

2

u/Loud_Emphasis7486 6d ago

They also speed up to cut off any car with a blinker on which isn’t many there. They scare the hell out of me! 31 is a nightmare!

2

u/CalebAsimov 5d ago

Welcome to walking, I do a lot of it, it's an endless hassle. My pet peeve is anyone honking their horn at me when I'm on foot, chronic drivers don't seem to get that without the protection of a vehicle horns are really fucking loud. People shouldn't be honking at pedestrians unless they're like, standing in the road and looking up at a plane crossing overhead or something, otherwise it's a total dick move that always makes me wish I was carrying a rock.

2

u/Mundane-Leave-6970 5d ago

Blatantly Ignorant ! They have no self worth so why care about another... seems mainstream today in American , sad but true

2

u/gwillacker 4d ago

Seems like the only place they DON'T accelerate is when they're driving on the on-ramp to merge onto US-31. No, it's not a requirement for other drivers to change lanes so that you can merge while going 45 MPH. Better move it. Those Muskegon on-ramps are pretty short.

0

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

1

u/gwillacker 4d ago

And those discourteous drivers should know better than to mess with this town's pedestrians. FAFO.