Why Do People . . . ???

[pdmike]

Why do people leave a car length of so in front of them when stopped in traffic for a traffic light? You never used to see that happening - now it is common.

Why do young women in public walk just a tad short of an outright sprint?

Why do restaurants slide cilanto into just about everything on the menu without warning the patrons ahead of time?

Why do people refer to supervision as "oversight"? Where I come from, "oversight" means an error or a mistake.

Why do people put quotation marks around words in totally incorrect context, as in: Be sure and try our "fresh" fish? (The use of quotations in the context implies that the fish is not fresh at all but, rather, is posing as fresh fish when it is, in actuality, quite stale.)

Why do . . . . (your turn)

[Quid]

Why do people leave a car length of so in front of them when stopped in traffic for a traffic light? You never used to see that happening - now it is common.

I do this. On one occasion I “closed the gap” with the car stopped in front of me. I was then promptly rear-ended which forced me to hit the car in front of me. My insurance went Ouch. Now I like to just play it safe.

Why do young women in public walk just a tad short of an outright sprint?
Why do tourist families walk so slow? We natives like to do things in a timely manner, there is no need for tourists to take up the whole side walk while going at a snail’s pace.

Why do restaurants slide cilantro into just about everything on the menu without warning the patrons ahead of time?

I happen to love cilantro so I don’t mind. The herb is, however, a central flavor to both Latin American and Southeast Asian cuisines, so if you don’t like it, don’t order Mexican or Thai food. Besides, it is not like cilantro is poison. “Warning people” that the dish contains cilantro is like warning people that a dish contains onions.

Why do people refer to supervision as "oversight"? Where I come from, "oversight" means an error or a mistake.

So you ponder the existence of regional dialects and variations in definitions? Consider the variations of the definition of words like “Soda” or “Biscuit"

Why do people put quotation marks around words in totally incorrect context, as in: Be sure and try our "fresh" fish? (The use of quotations in the context implies that the fish is not fresh at all but, rather, is posing as fresh fish when it is, in actuality, quite stale.)


Poor education.

[BillBrown]

Why do men, in restaurants, eat with their hats on?

Why do women park their carts in the middle of the grocery store aisles and wonder off, looking for something?
Why don't men do this?

[Kazsirk]

Why is America not allowed to drill for oil off shore anywhere there is oil but China can...and is?

[RickRhetoric]

Why do men, in restaurants, eat with their hats on?

Because about 40 percent of American men are afflicted with baldness (calvicie).

[Samm]

Why do people leave a car length of so in front of them when stopped in traffic for a traffic light? You never used to see that happening - now it is common.

That is one of my pet peeves... Road designers spend a lot of time and effort measuring traffic and designing intersections to accommodate that traffic. When a significant number of people leave car-length gaps in the cue it reduces the capacity of the intersection and can cause a ripple effect that backs up into adjacent intersections and lead to grid lock. Stupidity knows no boundaries.

[Samm]

I do this. On one occasion I “closed the gap” with the car stopped in front of me. I was then promptly rear-ended which forced me to hit the car in front of me. My insurance went Ouch. Now I like to just play it safe.

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but that is not playing it safe. Had you left a one car gap in front of you, chances are very good that you would still have been forced into the car in front of you anyway.

A couple of years ago, I was in a traffic cue and got rear ended by a vehicle behind me that was forced into me by a car rear ending them. I was at a side road and had left a gap as wide as that street (~ 50 feet) between me and the car in line in front of me so that left turning oncoming traffic could pull onto it. I was knocked all the way across the gap, but managed to turn the wheel in time to go up on the sidewalk rather than hit the car in front of me. This was not a big impact; the only damage was my bumper. Twenty feet is nothing... you may as well be right on the bumper so you won't build momentum.

[Getty Girl]

'Why do people leave a car length of so in front of them when stopped in traffic for a traffic light? You never used to see that happening - now it is common'.



...dunno but i have a name for them, bumper-phobes. distance's greater than a car length will always be an asian driver- not racist just a fact.

[notluzn]

Why do people flick boogers?

[RickRhetoric]

Why do people eat boogers?

[CaptainPike]

When you stop at a traffic light or stop sign, you're supposed to be able to see the white line if one exists. Most people try to park the front tire on the white line.

[CaptainPike]

Why do people eat boogers?

Some boogers are just too juicy to resist.

[Getty Girl]

Some boogers are just too juicy to resist.
dude you just made me gag......:sick:

[Samm]

When you stop at a traffic light or stop sign, you're supposed to be able to see the white line if one exists. Most people try to park the front tire on the white line.

There is no requirement that you be able to see the white "stop" line. The only requirement is that you stop behind it.

[Residential Bob]

Why do people flick boogers?I don't like them sticking to my fingers.

I mean, they don't like them sticking to their fingers.

[Residential Bob]

Why do people eat boogers?I don't like them sticking to my fingers.

I mean, they don't like them sticking to their fingers.

[merickson]

Why do people pass on the right, cut in front of me, just so they can wait at the stoplight longer than I do?

Why do so many of these kinds of questions have to do with driving?

Why do UC students (the smart 8% of high school graduates) skateboard in the middle of the street?

Why is America not allowed to drill for oil off shore anywhere there is oil but China can...and is?
So our grandkids will have oil to use and their's won't.

[RickRhetoric]

Why do kitchen workers at fast-food restaurants prefer to hock their loogies into hamburgers?

[drylok]

We natives like to do things in a timely manner, there is no need for tourists to take up the whole side walk while going at a snail’s pace.

There are tourists in Detroit? :eh:

[CaptainPike]

There is no requirement that you be able to see the white "stop" line. The only requirement is that you stop behind it.

It may not be a law, but my driving instructor jumped down my throat many yeas ago when I failed to stop far enough behind the line. So now I stop far enough so I can see the line.

[JeffM]

Why do teenage boys wear belts if their pants are sagging down their butts?

[CaptainPike]

Why do kitchen workers at fast-food restaurants prefer to hock their loogies into hamburgers?

Why can't they wipe the damn cup before giving it to me?

9 times out of 10 they hand me a cup with pop running down the side of it.

[Quid]

There are tourists in Detroit? :eh:

Meh, mostly Canadians and occasionally a large Asian family gawking at the Renaissance Center.

[wayoverthehill]

That is one of my pet peeves... Road designers spend a lot of time and effort measuring traffic and designing intersections to accommodate that traffic. When a significant number of people leave car-length gaps in the cue it reduces the capacity of the intersection and can cause a ripple effect that backs up into adjacent intersections and lead to grid lock. Stupidity knows no boundaries.While you may find this annoying, it saved me from seriously damaging the front of my car and the rear of the car ahead when a stupid 16 year old girl plowed into me 10 days ago and caused - for starters - in excess of $10,000 damage to my car. The entire rear end has to be replaced as well as the rear quarter panels. Somehow this little twit failed to see 7 rows of stopped cars across 3 lanes of traffic and a school bus with flashing lights.

You're right - stupidity knows no boundaries but I wasn't the stupid one.

[S.E.]

Why do people flick boogers?

Because they are done rolling them.

[hatman]

Why do people say 2009 is two thousand nine instead of 20 Oh nine.
When will we switch to twenty Oh xxxx? In 2010? In 2020?
Sad as it is, I've really wondered about this.

[S.E.]

Why do people say 2009 is two thousand nine instead of 20 Oh nine.
When will we switch to twenty Oh xxxx? In 2010? In 2020?
Sad as it is, I've really wondered about this.

Best guess would be because "oh" isn't a number it's a letter of the alphabet.

When 2010 comes around I am sure we will adapt and say "twenty ten" or "two thousand ten"

[Samm]

It may not be a law, but my driving instructor jumped down my throat many yeas ago when I failed to stop far enough behind the line. So now I stop far enough so I can see the line.

If you look out the driver's side window you can see it best if you straddle it. ;)


Tell your driver ed instructor to put that in his pipe and smoke it. :razz:

[Samm]

While you may find this annoying, it saved me from seriously damaging the front of my car and the rear of the car ahead when a stupid 16 year old girl plowed into me 10 days ago and caused - for starters - in excess of $10,000 damage to my car. The entire rear end has to be replaced as well as the rear quarter panels. Somehow this little twit failed to see 7 rows of stopped cars across 3 lanes of traffic and a school bus with flashing lights.

You're right - stupidity knows no boundaries but I wasn't the stupid one.

This probably belongs in the "texting while driving" thread. ;)

[jimmyc123]

Why do people hit their brake on the freeway when they come upon a police officer writing someone a ticket? Do they think the officer is going to be able to tell that the driver was speeding, run back to his car, catch up with them, and pull them over?

[JediMindTrick]

Why do people leave a car length of so in front of them when stopped in traffic for a traffic light? You never used to see that happening - now it is common.



Common sense. If the guy behind you rear ends you this might save you from being pushed into the car in front of you which might keep your airbags from deploying which in turn might keep you from being hurt by your airbags (overall airbags are a good thing but I've seen many broken hands and arms from airbags). In the numerous emergency vehicle training classes I've taken leaving distance like this is one of the first things they teach you do.

[notluzn]

Why do quiet farts smell worse than loud ones? And why does it really smell when you fart in the shower?

[Samm]

Common sense. If the guy behind you rear ends you this might save you from being pushed into the car in front of you which might keep your airbags from deploying which in turn might keep you from being hurt by your airbags (overall airbags are a good thing but I've seen many broken hands and arms from airbags). In the numerous emergency vehicle training classes I've taken leaving distance like this is one of the first things they teach you do.

Not necessarily...

http://forums.hannity.com/showpost.php?p=62940851&postcount=7

What they teach today in drivers ed is to put your hands at 9 and 3 rather than 10 and 2 like they used to in the pre-airbag days for that very reason. My vehicle does not have air bags so I have no idea if they would have gone off from the impact and I am still a 10 and 2 guy. ;)

[jeepers]

You're not supposed to leave a full car length at a stoplight/stopsign behind the car in front of you; you're supposed to be able to 'see the tires where they touch the ground'. In theory, that is supposed to leave enough room so that if you're rearended, you don't slam into the car in front of you.

...unless the person behind you is driving at a high rate of speed, then it doesn't matter. However, if you follow the rules and they don't, you have a much better case than if you don't, which is true in any accident situation.

[JediMindTrick]

Not necessarily...

http://forums.hannity.com/showpost.php?p=62940851&postcount=7

What they teach today in drivers ed is to put your hands at 9 and 3 rather than 10 and 2 like they used to in the pre-airbag days for that very reason. My vehicle does not have air bags so I have no idea if they would have gone off from the impact and I am still a 10 and 2 guy. ;)

Yeah but at red lights drivers often relax and will have their arms and hands in different positions. As a city cop I've seen more injuries caused by airbags than prevented. That of course is only true because speeds are so much lower in the city and out on the highway they no doubt prevent serious injuries since their biggest purpose to prevent you from being knocked into windows & dashboard and to keep you from being ejected.

[PredFan]

Why do people hit their brake on the freeway when they come upon a police officer writing someone a ticket? Do they think the officer is going to be able to tell that the driver was speeding, run back to his car, catch up with them, and pull them over?

Dammit Jim! I was going to complain about that! [/startrek]

I ask this question every time I see it.

[PredFan]

Why is it when you get two fat women together, they will invariably walk slowly side by side in the hallway?

[59Flash]

Why do people say "irregardless" instead of the correct way of "regardless"?

[BillBrown]

Why do people retread?

If they aren't welcome, why don't they stay gone?

[merickson]

Why do people say 2009 is two thousand nine instead of 20 Oh nine.
When will we switch to twenty Oh xxxx? In 2010? In 2020?
Sad as it is, I've really wondered about this.

I plan to verbaly refer to next year as "oh ten."

[wayoverthehill]

This probably belongs in the "texting while driving" thread. ;)Oh absolutely! I knew right away that that was the case. No way she had her eyes on the road ahead.

[ThrowCop]

Most driver-instructors (at least when I took my test) tel you to leave enough space in front of you to see the car's rear tires. That's about 3/4 a car length in my case.

[hatman]

I plan to verbaly refer to next year as "oh ten."

OK, I deserved that. :)

[bbt630]

Why do people leave a car length of so in front of them when stopped in traffic for a traffic light? You never used to see that happening - now it is common.I am a UPS driver. Rule #1 in our 10-point commentary about safe driving is 'Leave one car length at intersections.' Basically, you won't get stuck behind a stalled vehicle and have to back up to get yourself out. It's a good practice.

[GA_LP]

Why do people say 2009 is two thousand nine instead of 20 Oh nine.
When will we switch to twenty Oh xxxx? In 2010? In 2020?
Sad as it is, I've really wondered about this.A hundred years ago, they would have said it was "Aught Nine". And what is wrong with two thousand nine? Its mathematically and grammatically correct; O is a letter, not a number. And 20 Oh 10 would be 20010 - next year is twenty ten.

[EnchantedFrog]

Why do people hit their brake on the freeway when they come upon a police officer writing someone a ticket? Do they think the officer is going to be able to tell that the driver was speeding, run back to his car, catch up with them, and pull them over?
Actually, its not uncommon for police to sit on the side of the interstate with their blue lights flashing. Many drivers make the mistake of thinking they are occupied and speed right past only to find they were running their radar.

[hatman]

A hundred years ago, they would have said it was "Aught Nine". And what is wrong with two thousand nine? Its mathematically and grammatically correct; O is a letter, not a number. And 20 Oh 10 would be 20010 - next year is twenty ten.

My original post was really stupidly worded. I deserve the ridicule.

What I meant was I had wondered before we got to 2000, would we start saying 'twenty oh one' or 'two thousand one', etc. Would we say 'twenty eleven' vs 'two thousand eleven', etc.
Don't ask me why, but I did think about it. It's a ridiculous little curiousity.

And I agree, 'two thousand nine' is mathematically and grammatically correct and it's obviously the standard. I say it that way, too.
The only person I've heard in the media say 'twenty oh nine' is Charles Osgood.
I suspect as the years go by we'll transition to the 'twenty yy' standard.
OK, I'm stopping now; it's becoming too OCD-like. :)

[FranklySpeaking]

Why do . . . . (your turn)

Birds suddenly appear ,

Every time you are near ...


?

[pdmike]

Why do drivers of opposing cars at intersections where I am making a left turn, now wait for me to make the left turn in front of them? You never used to see that. People used to know the law - which is that left turn vehicles yield to oncoming vehicles. Now, all of a sudden, people are getting polite. Of course, all it does is cause confusion at intesections where real drivers, who know the rules of the road, expect other drivers to act predictably and obey those same rules.

[notluzn]

Why do people test 9 volt battery on their tongues knowing it will shock them LOL

[Lego-Man]

Some boogers are just too juicy to resist.

Even someone elses?

[Lego-Man]

why do people hit their brake on the freeway when they come upon a police officer writing someone a ticket? Do they think the officer is going to be able to tell that the driver was speeding, run back to his car, catch up with them, and pull them over?

+1

[jwil59]

Why do we drive on the parkway and park on the driveway........................

[Lego-Man]

Common sense. If the guy behind you rear ends you this might save you from being pushed into the car in front of you which might keep your airbags from deploying which in turn might keep you from being hurt by your airbags (overall airbags are a good thing but I've seen many broken hands and arms from airbags). In the numerous emergency vehicle training classes I've taken leaving distance like this is one of the first things they teach you do.

One of the things I taught my driving students is that you need to leave a length equal to the size of the vehicle you are driving free in front of you. That way, if the vehicle in front of you breaks down, you can get around them without having to back up - which you probably can't because some idiot is within six inches off of your rear bumper.

As for stopping short at the stop line (the correct term for that white line), it could keep the trailer on the 18-wheeler from running over your hood because that driver took the turn too short, or was cut off by a driver on his other side you can't see.

[Lego-Man]

Why do they call it "rush hour" when "slow hour" would be more accurate?

[Lego-Man]

You're not supposed to leave a full car length at a stoplight/stopsign behind the car in front of you; you're supposed to be able to 'see the tires where they touch the ground'. In theory, that is supposed to leave enough room so that if you're rearended, you don't slam into the car in front of you.

...unless the person behind you is driving at a high rate of speed, then it doesn't matter. However, if you follow the rules and they don't, you have a much better case than if you don't, which is true in any accident situation.

I was involved in a hit and run once at a red light - the car behind me was hit so hard that my car hit the one in front me. The car that started this broke down about a mile away. The address listed on the registration was an empty field in another state.

[Lego-Man]

Why do people hit their brake on the freeway when they come upon a police officer writing someone a ticket? Do they think the officer is going to be able to tell that the driver was speeding, run back to his car, catch up with them, and pull them over?

Better yet, why do they do it when the officer is on the other side of a divided highway with a barricade in the median?

[pattyk]

when you and your friend are driving to town in separate cars, why does when she's in front she's goes like a bat, but when she's behind you you can't even see her in the rear view?

[GuitarCrazyo]

why does the site /forum allow those annoying YOUR A WINNER ,.this not a jokepopups ,..it cant be good for the site and it really pointless as nobody wants them,..can you please remove them?,..cheers,..

[Samm]

why does the site /forum allow those annoying YOUR A WINNER ,.this not a jokepopups ,..it cant be good for the site and it really pointless as nobody wants them,..can you please remove them?,..cheers,..

Don't take this wrong, but I glad to hear that you are getting that annoying "You are a winner" add too. I was given the impression by others here that it was just me. :neutral:

[JediMindTrick]

Why do drivers of opposing cars at intersections where I am making a left turn, now wait for me to make the left turn in front of them? You never used to see that. People used to know the law - which is that left turn vehicles yield to oncoming vehicles. Now, all of a sudden, people are getting polite. Of course, all it does is cause confusion at intesections where real drivers, who know the rules of the road, expect other drivers to act predictably and obey those same rules.

That annoys me to death especially when there are two oncoming lanes and the joker in the inside lane stops to try wave you through without realizing that outside lane isn't stopping. So now all they've done is congest traffic to the point that the gap you saw coming is gone and you have to wait even longer.

Its also happens when your trying to pull out of a parking lot across two lanes of traffic. You see your chance coming when suddenly someone stops to try and let you out. But you can't because of the cars next to them who didn't stop and soon traffic has caught up to the car that stopped again ruining any chance you had.

And a police rant on driving. Why do so many driver's turn into idiots when they see the police car or ambulance coming with lights on. The law says - PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT. It doesn't say stop right in the middle of the road, pull left, or pull over in the middle of an interesction thus blocking it if thats where we need to go. We are trained to always ALWAYS pass on the left so when you go left we have to go even further left. This is because if we pass on the right and suddenly you remember to do what your supposed to and go right as well and we collide we are at fault for not passing on the left. And this goes for oncoming traffic as well. You have to pull over to the right as well because invariably someone going the same direction as us won't be paying attention and doesn't hear us which means we are going to be going into oncoming traffic to get around them so we need those lanes too.

[pdmike]

Why do people who are making left turns at controlled intersections, fail to drive into the middle of the intersection to wait for opposing traffic to clear - thereby enabling the one or two cars behind them to also make their left turns on the yellow light? Why do these JERKS insist on waiting BEHIND the limit line? There are so many cars on the road these days, that when you are making a left turn, you almost always have to wait until the yellow light to do it. Pull up, into the damn intersection to wait! Show a little consideration for the other left-turners behind you.

[supreme_war_Pig]

Sorry to politicize the thread Mike, but this one has been bugging me for a while now...

Why do Right Wingers think it's clever to corrupt Obama's name? You know, Obummer, Odummer, Obamao, etc?

It isn't clever. Not even a little bit. It's childish!

[EnchantedFrog]

Sorry to politicize the thread Mike, but this one has been bugging me for a while now...

Why do Right Wingers think it's clever to corrupt Obama's name? You know, Obummer, Odummer, Obamao, etc?

It isn't clever. Not even a little bit. It's childish!
Why is it that the left can dish it out, but certainly can't take it themselves?

[pdmike]

Why is it that the left can dish it out, but certainly can't take it themselves?

ORDER! Order, you two!

Ever have some jerk prevent you from making your left turn becuase he/she (it) wouldn't pull up, into the intersection?

I know you have.

[ALBOB2]

Actually, its not uncommon for police to sit on the side of the interstate with their blue lights flashing. Many drivers make the mistake of thinking they are occupied and speed right past only to find they were running their radar.

Which still leaves my question, why do people hit their brakes at ALL??? If the cop is using radar, by the time you see him it's WAY too late.

[JediMindTrick]

Sorry to politicize the thread Mike, but this one has been bugging me for a while now...

Why do Right Wingers think it's clever to corrupt Obama's name? You know, Obummer, Odummer, Obamao, etc?

It isn't clever. Not even a little bit. It's childish!

Both parties do that. I hated Bush and I wasn't alone in mocking his name by calling him Shrub or Bushleaguer or countless other derogatives. Heck, Pearl Jam (a very liberal act) even wrote a song called Bushleaguer where in concert Eddie Vedder would impale a George Bush mask on his microphone.

It is a bit childish but its dense to suggest only one side does it.

[ALBOB2]

Why do people who are making left turns at controlled intersections, fail to drive into the middle of the intersection to wait for opposing traffic to clear - thereby enabling the one or two cars behind them to also make their left turns on the yellow light? Why do these JERKS insist on waiting BEHIND the limit line? There are so many cars on the road these days, that when you are making a left turn, you almost always have to wait until the yellow light to do it. Pull up, into the damn intersection to wait! Show a little consideration for the other left-turners behind you.


That bugs the living crap out of me but, here in N. Las Vegas, it's the law. Yep, some dumbass politician made it ILLEGAL to pull out into the intersection to wait for the oncoming traffic to clear. No wonder commuting in this town sucks. (Well, it sucks because of laws like that and all the ******* Californians that have moved here. :twisted: )

[JediMindTrick]

Which still leaves my question, why do people hit their brakes at ALL??? If the cop is using radar, by the time you see him it's WAY too late.

For me its like this when I'm running radar. I give a bit of leeway in who I pull over as I want to catch the big fish (every cop has some leeway but how much varies based on personal discretion). But if I see a little fish who doesn't even bother to slow down I'll grab them because they either have sheer contempt for the speed limit or they are not paying attention and didn't see me. Either way, they need a wake up call and a stop.

[Vic Daring]

That bugs the living crap out of me but, here in N. Las Vegas, it's the law. Yep, some dumbass politician made it ILLEGAL to pull out into the intersection to wait for the oncoming traffic to clear. No wonder commuting in this town sucks. (Well, it sucks because of laws like that and all the ******* Californians that have moved here. :twisted: )

People that sit in the middle of the intersection are a hazard. If you are making a left, and pull out into the intersection to sit, now another driver, coming from your right, with a green signal, who wants to make a left, has to weave through your little impromptu maze. Thanks.

Anyway...a couple more on driving:

Why do people who are stopped at intersections open their driver's door to spit on the road? I've never felt the cumpulsion to do this once.

Why do people only use the last couple feet of a turn lane, so the back end of their car is sticking out into the regular lane of travel? It's called a TURN. LANE. Use it like it sounds.

[ALBOB2]

People that sit in the middle of the intersection are a hazard. If you are making a left, and pull out into the intersection to sit, now another driver, coming from your right, with a green signal, who wants to make a left, has to weave through your little impromptu maze. Thanks.
.

Why would anybody be sitting in the middle of the intersection when the people coming from the right have a green light??? :confused:

I'm in the left turn lane, when the light tunrs green I move into the intersection, when oncoming traffic clears I make my left turn. By doing this, I allow at least one, usually two more cars behind me to also make their left hand turns. So again I ask, why would anybody be sitting in the middle of the intersection when people coming from the right have a green light???

[JimGP20]

Why do people leave a car length of so in front of them when stopped in traffic for a traffic light? You never used to see that happening - now it is common.

Most people are stupid.

Why do young women in public walk just a tad short of an outright sprint?

I haven't noticed this so much. Perhaps it has something to do with your proximity to them. :razz:

Why do restaurants slide cilanto into just about everything on the menu without warning the patrons ahead of time?


Cilantro is the new parsley.

Why do people refer to supervision as "oversight"? Where I come from, "oversight" means an error or a mistake.

Maybe the supervisors are **** ups.

Why do people put quotation marks around words in totally incorrect context, as in: Be sure and try our "fresh" fish? (The use of quotations in the context implies that the fish is not fresh at all but, rather, is posing as fresh fish when it is, in actuality, quite stale.)

The restaurant knows that their fish is fishy, so the quotation marks are correct in this instance.

:cool:

[rational]

That is one of my pet peeves... Road designers spend a lot of time and effort measuring traffic and designing intersections to accommodate that traffic. When a significant number of people leave car-length gaps in the cue it reduces the capacity of the intersection and can cause a ripple effect that backs up into adjacent intersections and lead to grid lock. Stupidity knows no boundaries.

I do it to prevent the exhaust from the car in front from getting sucked into my car. And, as someone already mentioned, it helps to prevent you running into the car in front of you if you get rear ended.

And if you leave enough space, it might really save you from a really bad accident. My cousin was stopped at a light one time and noticed that a care seemed to be approaching without slowing down. When he realized it wasn't going to stop, he quickly swerved out of the lane onto the center divider. The car skidded to a stop right next to the car he was behind (a car he was then opposite; with the driver wondering why my cousin was all of a sudden next to him instead of behind him!).

[JimGP20]

... why does it really smell when you fart in the shower?


They're instant farts, so you just have to add water. :cool:

[Canoedude]

Why do smokers throw their cigarettes out of the car onto the road? Cars are still made with ashtrays. Would they throw a cup out when they are done drinking?

Why do people ask for a break from police officers when they are stopped for a traffic violation? When your doctor hands you a bill do you ask for a cheaper one?

Why do many womens' rooms have couches in them whereas mens rooms don't? Do women's bodily functions tire them so much they have to lay down afterward?

[Samm]

Why do people who are making left turns at controlled intersections, fail to drive into the middle of the intersection to wait for opposing traffic to clear - thereby enabling the one or two cars behind them to also make their left turns on the yellow light? Why do these JERKS insist on waiting BEHIND the limit line? There are so many cars on the road these days, that when you are making a left turn, you almost always have to wait until the yellow light to do it. Pull up, into the damn intersection to wait! Show a little consideration for the other left-turners behind you.

That bugs the living crap out of me but, here in N. Las Vegas, it's the law. Yep, some dumbass politician made it ILLEGAL to pull out into the intersection to wait for the oncoming traffic to clear. No wonder commuting in this town sucks. (Well, it sucks because of laws like that and all the ******* Californians that have moved here. :twisted: )

It bugs me too, but that is the law in most (if not all) States. The reason is very clear. A very large number of serious accidents at controlled intersections is from people sitting in the intersection waiting to turn left, panicking when the light turns yellow and suddenly darting out in front of an oncoming car that is making a high speed dash to go through the intersection on that yellow.

A good driver would wait until the oncoming traffic stops and then proceed left, which is a completely safe maneuver, since as there is a delay of a second or two between the red light in your direction and the green light in the cross direction. But because too many drivers are not good, the law is there as an attempt to reduce serious, often fatal, accidents.

[ALBOB2]

It bugs me too, but that is the law in most (if not all) States. The reason is very clear. A very large number of serious accidents at controlled intersections is from people sitting in the intersection waiting to turn left, panicking when the light turns yellow and suddenly darting out in front of an oncoming car that is making a high speed dash to go through the intersection on that yellow.

A good driver would wait until the oncoming traffic stops and then proceed left, which is a completely safe maneuver, since as there is a delay of a second or two between the red light in your direction and the green light in the cross direction. But because too many drivers are not good, the law is there as an attempt to reduce serious, often fatal, accidents.


And THAT is the root cause of the problem. But as usual, the true problem isn't addressed by our dumbass legislators. :rolleyes:

[pdmike]

People that sit in the middle of the intersection are a hazard. If you are making a left, and pull out into the intersection to sit, now another driver, coming from your right, with a green signal, who wants to make a left, has to weave through your little impromptu maze. Thanks.

By the time a driver coming from your right "with a green signal" gets there, you and the one or two cars behind you, will have completed your left turns.

How anyone can argue for waiting behind the limit line to make a left turn (or pass a law requiring a moronic driving movement such as this) is totally beyond me.

[Samm]

And THAT is the root cause of the problem. But as usual, the true problem isn't addressed by our dumbass legislators. :rolleyes:

What is the true problem? Dumbass drivers? How do you legislate against that? That would be like legislating against dumbass legislators... :think:

[JimGP20]

By the time a driver coming from your right "with a green signal" gets there, you and the one or two cars behind you, will have completed your left turns.

How anyone can argue for waiting behind the limit line to make a left turn (or pass a law requiring a moronic driving movement such as this) is totally beyond me.


PD.... you must be slipping.... I took a shot at you earlier and you didn't respond. ;)

[pdmike]

It bugs me too, but that is the law in most (if not all) States. The reason is very clear. A very large number of serious accidents at controlled intersections is from people sitting in the intersection waiting to turn left, panicking when the light turns yellow and suddenly darting out in front of an oncoming car that is making a high speed dash to go through the intersection on that yellow.

A good driver would wait until the oncoming traffic stops and then proceed left, which is a completely safe maneuver, since as there is a delay of a second or two between the red light in your direction and the green light in the cross direction. But because too many drivers are not good, the law is there as an attempt to reduce serious, often fatal, accidents.

The problem you are talking about here (collisions between left turning vehciles and oncoming cars that are hurrying to get through on the yellow) has nothing to do with where the left turning vehicle is waiting to make its left turn. A collision such as you describe can happen regardless of where the left turning vehicle is positioned while waiting to turn.

In California, drivers are encouraged to enter the intersection while waiting to turn left. There is no additional danger - they can wait safely until oncoming traffic clears just as easily from the center of the intersection as they can from behind the limit line. In fact, I would submit they have a better view of oncoming traffic from the middle of the interseciton than they do from behind the limit line.

With so much traffic on the road these days, it is almost a guarantee that if you are making a left turn in an intersection controlled by a light, you are going to have to wait until the yellow before you will be able to complete your turn. Waiting behind the limit line only accomplishes one thing - it guarantees that your car will be the ONLY car making a left turn until the next light cycle.

That is counter productive to a lot of things, the main one being a smooth flow of traffic. Let's move as my left turning cars through an intersection as we can.

[Samm]

By the time a driver coming from your right "with a green signal" gets there, you and the one or two cars behind you, will have completed your left turns.

How anyone can argue for waiting behind the limit line to make a left turn (or pass a law requiring a moronic driving movement such as this) is totally beyond me.

You are right... the red-green delay gives you plenty of time to clear the intersection even if the light turns red as you sit there. But the problem is not caused by the car coming from your left (usually... my daughter was T-boned from the left while waiting to make a left turn by a car running the red light) as I said... it is caused by the car(s) coming from ahead of you.

This problem is caused by two stupid drivers... one trying to speed through the intersection at the tail end of a yellow light, and another pulling out in front of them thinking that they will stop. Eliminate stupidity in either driver and there is no problem. Unfortunately, the probability that two stupid drivers will be in immediate proximity at any given time is extremely high.

[Samm]

The problem you are talking about here (collisions between left turning vehciles and oncoming cars that are hurrying to get through on the yellow) has nothing to do with where the left turning vehicle is waiting to make its left turn. A collision such as you describe can happen regardless of where the left turning vehicle is positioned while waiting to turn.

In California, drivers are encouraged to enter the intersection while waiting to turn left. There is no additional danger - they can wait safely until oncoming traffic clears just as easily from the center of the intersection as they can from behind the limit line. In fact, I would submit they have a better view of oncoming traffic from the middle of the interseciton than they do from behind the limit line.

With so much traffic on the road these days, it is almost a guarantee that if you are making a left turn in an intersection controlled by a light, you are going to have to wait until the yellow before you will be able to complete your turn. Waiting behind the limit line only accomplishes one thing - it guarantees that your car will be the ONLY car making a left turn until the next light cycle.

That is counter productive to a lot of things, the main one being a smooth flow of traffic. Let's move as my left turning cars through an intersection as we can.

I agree... as long as all the drivers involved are not being dumb there is no problem. If you are not a dumb driver, pulling out into the intersection is a safe maneuver (except for the light runner situation) even if the oncoming driver is dumb; I do it all the time. (I have a rule: never pull out in front of a nearby high speed vehicle even if you have the right of way.) There are some (many have no left turn light) intersections that perform so poorly that if you did not do that you would almost never be able make your left turn.

One note... If you are stopped behind the line waiting to turn left, it is against the law to enter the intersection after the light turns yellow. If you are using that opportunity to dart out in front of an oncoming care that might be "running" the yellow, you are much more wrong than they are. The key to making the turn on yellow is to already be in the intersection when the light changes.

[pdmike]

One note... If you are stopped behind the line waiting to turn left, it is against the law to enter the intersection after the light turns yellow.

Are you speaking of California?

[Samm]

Are you speaking of California?
As far as I know I am speaking of everywhere. The intent of the yellow is to allow you sufficient distance to safely stop for the impending red light. Entering the intersection is only "allowed" if it is not prudent to stop. Clearly it is not possible to determine prudence so the law for the most part lets you get away with entering even on the last second of yellow. (You can be ticketed for accelerating to "make" a yellow light.) But obviously, if you are behind the line waiting to make a left turn, you are already stopped and cannot make that argument. Legally you must wait until the next cycle to enter the intersection. Making a right on red (or left onto a one way street) would be the exception.

Maybe California is different, but I doubt it.

[Rurudyne]

Why do people leave a car length of so in front of them when stopped in traffic for a traffic light? You never used to see that happening - now it is common.
If your brakes were as 'good' as theirs you'd leave extra space too.
Why do young women in public walk just a tad short of an outright sprint?
What? I didn't hear the question. There was this hot babe almost running by you see....
Why do restaurants slide cilanto into just about everything on the menu without warning the patrons ahead of time?
The Cilanto Mafia is dangerous ... you may want to edit that bit.
Why do people refer to supervision as "oversight"? Where I come from, "oversight" means an error or a mistake.
It was an oversight.
Why do people put quotation marks around words in totally incorrect context, as in: Be sure and try our "fresh" fish? (The use of quotations in the context implies that the fish is not fresh at all but, rather, is posing as fresh fish when it is, in actuality, quite stale.)
"I" don't know.
Why do . . . . (your turn)
Why does the new NASA lift off vehicle look like it's bollucks? None of the Saturn V's style....

[TW-Andrea]

Why do people call pants a pair? It's only 1. That is not a pair. Or a pair of undies? And don't give me that 2 leg holes excuse. Bra's have 2 cups and we don't call a bra a pair pf bras. Pair of socks I get. Pair of pants or pair of underwear baffles me.

[birddog1]

Why is it when you get two fat women together, they will invariably walk slowly side by side in the hallway?

Probably the same reason two soccer moms will drive their mini vans side by side down a two lane road at the break neck speed of 45 mph with 2 miles of traffic behind them. Based on my observations it appears to be gender related and usually has to do with them being oblivious to their surrondings, basic manners, and traffic laws.

[Vic Daring]

One question on the left turn at an intersection discussion: Are we talking about intersections with a left turn arrow? If not, then maybe my answer changes.

Oh and...

...Why do people say "literally" when they mean the exact opposite?

ex: "I just asked a simple question, and she literally bit my head off."

No. She did not. Idiot.

[Samm]

Why do people call pants a pair? It's only 1. That is not a pair. Or a pair of undies? And don't give me that 2 leg holes excuse. Bra's have 2 cups and we don't call a bra a pair pf bras. Pair of socks I get. Pair of pants or pair of underwear baffles me.

Because originally a pant covered one leg; to cover both legs two (a pair) pants were required and they were tied together at the waist to keep them up. Eventually someone tied them together before putting them on and the "pants" were born.

I don't know about panties... but I have often referred to the benefactor of bras as "a pair." ;)

[Samm]

One question on the left turn at an intersection discussion: Are we talking about intersections with a left turn arrow? If not, then maybe my answer changes.

Yes... but not necessarily with a dedicated left turn arrow.

Oh and...

...Why do people say "literally" when they mean the exact opposite?

ex: "I just asked a simple question, and she literally bit my head off."

No. She did not. Idiot.

You have answered your own question. ;)

[Apatriot]

Why do men, in restaurants, eat with their hats on?

hat hair

Why do women park their carts in the middle of the grocery store aisles and wonder off, looking for something?
Why don't men do this?

I thought men did this more than women.

[supreme_war_Pig]

Why do people call pants a pair? It's only 1. That is not a pair. Or a pair of undies? And don't give me that 2 leg holes excuse. Bra's have 2 cups and we don't call a bra a pair pf bras. Pair of socks I get. Pair of pants or pair of underwear baffles me.

Hmmm....mebbe

1)-Pants is short for 'pantaloons', and

2)-Maybe pantaloons used to be separate garments?

[DLaw911]

Why does the law require a turn signal before changing lanes. A turn signal is nothing but telling other drivers to SPEED up and CUT you off. American drivers are majority selfish drivers. Everyone has to arrive at wherever they are going 5 second before the next guy. I've driving in foreign countries where cars have turn signals but you never use them (for the reason stated). You just change lanes and cut off someone else. It's expected. No one get's mad, no one gets out a gun and blows you head off.

Here in the US if you cut off a driver you risk death.

[Apatriot]

Why do people say 2009 is two thousand nine instead of 20 Oh nine.
When will we switch to twenty Oh xxxx? In 2010? In 2020?
Sad as it is, I've really wondered about this.


Does it matter?

I personally think 20 oh 10 is silly. I prefer two thousand ten or twenty ten. Twenty oh nine is much more awkward than is two thousand nine.

[Apatriot]

Why do drivers of opposing cars at intersections where I am making a left turn, now wait for me to make the left turn in front of them? You never used to see that. People used to know the law - which is that left turn vehicles yield to oncoming vehicles. Now, all of a sudden, people are getting polite. Of course, all it does is cause confusion at intesections where real drivers, who know the rules of the road, expect other drivers to act predictably and obey those same rules.


I'm not seeing that, except for when dropping my kids off at school. In that case, the cars are taking turns--the "right turns" into the school driveway allow a "left turn" in, although legally the right turns don't have to do that. However, this is a slow moving situation (stop and go) and isn't confusing. I wouldn't like to see it on the roads in general.

It may be age related. I'm 44, and I clearly know who has right of way in an intersection. My wife is 35 and doesn't.

[Apatriot]

Why do people who are making left turns at controlled intersections, fail to drive into the middle of the intersection to wait for opposing traffic to clear - thereby enabling the one or two cars behind them to also make their left turns on the yellow light? Why do these JERKS insist on waiting BEHIND the limit line? There are so many cars on the road these days, that when you are making a left turn, you almost always have to wait until the yellow light to do it. Pull up, into the damn intersection to wait! Show a little consideration for the other left-turners behind you.


Arrows at intersections.

[Apatriot]

Sorry to politicize the thread Mike, but this one has been bugging me for a while now...

Why do Right Wingers think it's clever to corrupt Obama's name? You know, Obummer, Odummer, Obamao, etc?

It isn't clever. Not even a little bit. It's childish!


Same reason that left wingers used to think it was clever to corrupt GW Bush's name. You know, Dumbya etc. It's politics.

[Apatriot]

People that sit in the middle of the intersection are a hazard. If you are making a left, and pull out into the intersection to sit, now another driver, coming from your right, with a green signal, who wants to make a left, has to weave through your little impromptu maze. Thanks.

Nope, the second driver should be behind the first driver.



Anyway...a couple more on driving:

Why do people who are stopped at intersections open their driver's door to spit on the road? I've never felt the cumpulsion to do this once.

Me neither. I usually spit out the window while moving...... Sometimes I will empty a cup of ice, though.

[ALBOB2]

Why does the law require a turn signal before changing lanes. A turn signal is nothing but telling other drivers to SPEED up and CUT you off. American drivers are majority selfish drivers. Everyone has to arrive at wherever they are going 5 second before the next guy. I've driving in foreign countries where cars have turn signals but you never use them (for the reason stated). You just change lanes and cut off someone else. It's expected. No one get's mad, no one gets out a gun and blows you head off.

Here in the US if you cut off a driver you risk death.

One of my biggest pet peeves involves turn signals too. Why do people hit their brakes, come to an almost complete stop, THEN turn on their turn signals and make their turn??? Just how incredibly stupid can people get and still have lung function??? :wall:

[Apatriot]

Why do smokers throw their cigarettes out of the car onto the road? Cars are still made with ashtrays. Would they throw a cup out when they are done drinking?

I've seen that as well. I've also seen people throw out their fast food bags when done eating.

Why do people ask for a break from police officers when they are stopped for a traffic violation?

Human nature.

When your doctor hands you a bill do you ask for a cheaper one?

Well, I usually bitch to the insurance company if I get a bill from my doctor.

Why do many womens' rooms have couches in them whereas mens rooms don't? Do women's bodily functions tire them so much they have to lay down afterward?

I've theorized this was because lines back up in women's rooms, and they want a place to rest while waiting for the toilet or the sink. Ladies?

[Samm]

Does it matter?

I personally think 20 oh 10 is silly. I prefer two thousand ten or twenty ten. Twenty oh nine is much more awkward than is two thousand nine.

Yes it does matter. 20 oh 9 is alpha numeric and should never be used to describe the year... The years is 20 ought 9 or, as you say, two thousand nine.

Twenty ten or two thousand ten are acceptable. 20 oh (ought) 10 would be 20010. ;)

[pdmike]

One note... If you are stopped behind the line waiting to turn left, it is against the law to enter the intersection after the light turns yellow.

You would have to show me the law on that one. I was always of the belief that so long as you enter the intersection while the light is still yellow, you cannot be ticketed for running the red light if the light turns red while you are thereafter proceeding through the intersection.

Obviously, this assumes that you are not breaking some other traffic regulation while you are entering the intersection, such as driving at 100 mph or some such.

[pdmike]

Arrows at intersections.

?

How does this relate to what I was talking about?

[Samm]

You would have to show me the law on that one. I was always of the belief that so long as you enter the intersection while the light is still yellow, you cannot be ticketed for running the red light if the light turns red while you are thereafter proceeding through the intersection.

Obviously, this assumes that you are not breaking some other traffic regulation while you are entering the intersection, such as driving at 100 mph or some such.

As I said... the yellow is to provide the driver with an advance warning of the impending light change to red and to initiate the thought process in an approaching driver as to whether it is safe to stop or not. Highway designers call is the "point of decision" based on the speed and the conditions of the roadway... "Is it possible to stop safely or should I proceed through the intersection?" So since it is not really possible to legally question that decision process (unless they catch you speeding or even accelerating to "make the light") the law effectively allows any vehicle that crosses the stop line while the light is still yellow to proceed through even though the light turn red while you are in the intersection. (you must clear the intersection in any case.) If you are already stopped you cannot say that you could not stop for the yellow... its pretty simple. If your State has such a law, I am reasonably sure, that you would not be ticketed for that move if there was no oncoming traffic that would force you to stop before completing your turn, but if you collided with an oncoming vehicle "running" the yellow light you would most certainly be deemed at fault.

On top of that, is the law (in most States) that prohibits stopping in the intersection. The Cops here interpret that to mean stopping in the intersection waiting for an opening in oncoming traffic to provide you with an opportunity to turn. According to them (and supported by the courts) you may never enter the intersection if you do not have a clear path to proceed through it without stopping.

That is without a doubt, the traffic law that I break most frequently and I have done it with a Trooper car sitting at the same interection... without being ticketed. ;)

[blackmesa741]

'Why do people leave a car length of so in front of them when stopped in traffic for a traffic light? You never used to see that happening - now it is common'.



...dunno but i have a name for them, bumper-phobes. distance's greater than a car length will always be an asian driver- not racist just a fact.

I do this all the time---at one particular intersection's left turn lane. The green left turn arrow only lights when there are 3 cars parked in the left turn lane. If I'm in a hurry, and there is no traffic in my direction (because I would be in the 'outbound' direction in the AM commute, facing the 'inbound'), I will purposely stop 3 car lengths back--so I get the left turn arrow. Otherwise, it takes longer to get through the light waiting for a break...

[blackmesa741]

Not necessarily...

http://forums.hannity.com/showpost.php?p=62940851&postcount=7

What they teach today in drivers ed is to put your hands at 9 and 3 rather than 10 and 2 like they used to in the pre-airbag days for that very reason. My vehicle does not have air bags so I have no idea if they would have gone off from the impact and I am still a 10 and 2 guy. ;)

I steer with my butt cheeks.

[blackmesa741]

Why do people who are making left turns at controlled intersections, fail to drive into the middle of the intersection to wait for opposing traffic to clear - thereby enabling the one or two cars behind them to also make their left turns on the yellow light? Why do these JERKS insist on waiting BEHIND the limit line? There are so many cars on the road these days, that when you are making a left turn, you almost always have to wait until the yellow light to do it. Pull up, into the damn intersection to wait! Show a little consideration for the other left-turners behind you.

In some states, the practice you advocate is commonplace. In other areas, the behavior you abhor is the expectation and common practice.

In most of Arizona, where I live, most people will scoot out into the intersection. However, there are certain cities (Tucson and Scottsdale come to mind) that have so-called "lagging-left" arrows: meaing the left turn green arrows go AFTER the straight green lights (rather than before, like in most places in the universe). Because of this, it is common in Tucson and Scottsdale for left turners to wait patiently behind the stop line, knowing that they WILL get the arrow shortly.

[blackmesa741]

In fact, I would submit they have a better view of oncoming traffic from the middle of the interseciton than they do from behind the limit line..

Directly relatd to this statement--one of my peeves. When you DO go out into the intersection to help left turners behind you, and to increase your own chances of turning left when there is no green arrow----and the left turners from the opposite side of the intersection (directly facing you) do NOT angle their cars slightly to their left (your right), thereby inhibiting your view of oncoming cars in their left lane heading straight toward you at about 50 mph. That really annoys me...

[Lego-Man]

One of my biggest pet peeves involves turn signals too. Why do people hit their brakes, come to an almost complete stop, THEN turn on their turn signals and make their turn??? Just how incredibly stupid can people get and still have lung function??? :wall:

I have seen this in Massachusetts - people will use the a turn signal to indicate they are NOT turning in the opposite direction.

To clear up what I just said: In my hometown of Hudson, Central Street (rt 62 East) leaves the downtown rotary heading in the direction of Berlin. Lincoln Street is the first street to the right, and then Water street veers to the left just after. Central is a straight road. Cars will leave the rotary and hit the left signal until they pass Lincoln and then turn on the right signal until after Water Street - Just to indicate they are heading straight.

[Apatriot]

?

How does this relate to what I was talking about?


Turn Arrows at intersections are one of the reasons that people these days don't pull out into an intersection when making a left turn. They don't want to have to think about the turn, they would rather just wait for the arrow.

[Samm]

I steer with my butt cheeks.

That ought to leave some interesting marks when the air bag goes off... :think:

[pattyk]

in the government feel like everything has to be in letters only.

why are there round abouts?

[pdmike]

Turn Arrows at intersections are one of the reasons that people these days don't pull out into an intersection when making a left turn. They don't want to have to think about the turn, they would rather just wait for the arrow.

OK - my discussion about "shy" left-turners who wait behind the limit line for traffic to clear, would only relate to intersections controlled by standard green-yellow-red lights with no arrow involved. You MUST wait behind the limit line for an arrow - no choice there.

If it is a standard, intersection control light (no arrow), then you can (and should) proceed into the intersection and wait there for traffic to clear before making your left turn.

[pdmike]

However, there are certain cities (Tucson and Scottsdale come to mind) that have so-called "lagging-left" arrows: meaing the left turn green arrows go AFTER the straight green lights (rather than before, like in most places in the universe). Because of this, it is common in Tucson and Scottsdale for left turners to wait patiently behind the stop line, knowing that they WILL get the arrow shortly.

OK - but that isn't a problem because, once the left turn arrow turns green, EVERYONE waiting to make a left turn will generally get through. Not the same thing as waiting behind the line to make a left turn on a YELLOW light.

[pdmike]

If you are already stopped you cannot say that you could not stop for the yellow... its pretty simple.

OK - so then someone who waits behind the limit line for oncoming traffic to clear would, under this interpretation, be breaking the law if they had to wait until the light turned yellow (because of a constant stream of oncoming traffic) and then entered the intersection to make their left turn.

I hear what you are saying on this (interesting) point, but I don't think you have the correct interpretation. I think there is an express law (at least in Calif.) which says it is OK to enter an intersection on a yellow light. I'm looking for it . . .

On top of that, is the law (in most States) that prohibits stopping in the intersection. The Cops here interpret that to mean stopping in the intersection waiting for an opening in oncoming traffic to provide you with an opportunity to turn. According to them (and supported by the courts) you may never enter the intersection if you do not have a clear path to proceed through it without stopping.

The law you are talking about is designed to prevent a situation where someone plugs up an intersection by stopping in the middle of it, impeding traffic coming from their right or left, and forcing that traffic to stop.

When you are stopped in the middle of an intersection waiting to make a left turn, you aren't impeding anyone, because traffic going in your general direction has the green light.

[Samm]

OK - so then someone who waits behind the limit line for oncoming traffic to clear would, under this interpretation, be breaking the law if they had to wait until the light turned yellow (because of a constant stream of oncoming traffic) and then entered the intersection to make their left turn.

I hear what you are saying on this (interesting) point, but I don't think you have the correct interpretation. I think there is an express law (at least in Calif.) which says it is OK to enter an intersection on a yellow light. I'm looking for it . . .

I can't find a law prohibiting it here either... I may have over stated that. But I do know that the police use the "no stopping in an intersection" law to ticket drivers who enter on yellow and stop because they are forced to yield to oncoming traffic before making their left turn. The cops will tell you that if you had no clear expectation of moving continuously through the intersection without stopping you should not have crossed the stop line on the yellow. That is the whole point... if there is no oncoming traffic there is no problem, but if there is, you must yield to those people who are making a mad dash through the yellow which can likely leave you sitting in the middle of the intersection when it goes red.
The law you are talking about is designed to prevent a situation where someone plugs up an intersection by stopping in the middle of it, impeding traffic coming from their right or left, and forcing that traffic to stop.

When you are stopped in the middle of an intersection waiting to make a left turn, you aren't impeding anyone, because traffic going in your general direction has the green light.

I don't know that that is specifically what the law was designed for. It could just as well have been designed to do what you say and what the cops say. If you tried to use that argument in court it is likely that you will lose. If my scenario of being forced to stop and wait until the last oncoming vehicle skates into the intersection on the last millisecond of the yellow, you could end up impeding the traffic coming from left or right before you can exit the intersection. I agree with you that it is not a big problem as long as you don't panic and try to cross in front of someone speeding to make the light, but that won't hold much weight with the traffic cop.

In a slightly different scenario a number of years ago, I got held up by a left turning bus (two lane street; no left turn lane) in a downtown Seattle intersection. I had entered the intersection on green but was too close to the bus to see it when it turn yellow. The bus suddenly accelerated left and there I was smack in the middle of the intersection with a red light staring me in the face. Even that would not have been a real problem, but the crosswalk in front of me was now full of pedestrians and they would not let me through to clear the intersection. I literally had to push my way through the crowd so cross traffic could proceed. Good thing for me, no cop witnessed it. ;)