In Asheville, we yield to stopping

I've been in Asheville for about five years, and I've noticed that, within the last year or so, motorists have largely decided to ignore stop signs. Dedicated motorists [used to] actually pull up to a stop sign, stop, look and then go. Not so any more, and in an alarming number of cases.

Mostly I see the cars cruise through a stop sign, sometimes slowing a bit and sometimes not slowing at all. Not a safe thing to do, but that is the case all too often. Not sure if it's the distraction of the phone call or texting, or maybe everybody is just in that much of a hurry. But, thank heavens, they do make it all up at yield signs.

Evidently, many people don't know any more about yield signs than they do about the center turn lane. The new roundabout in the [River] Arts District is the perfect example. An awful lot of the cars approaching the yield signs come to a complete stop, look both ways and still aren't real sure about what's supposed to happen. And then [they] wait for an inordinate amount of time before crawling through and into the circle.

Maybe we should all go back to driving school for a refresher — or maybe it all just evens itself out.

— Bill Meller
Asheville

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3 thoughts on “In Asheville, we yield to stopping

  1. Barry Summers

    I think we should do what Ayn Rand said, and remove all traffic signs, and let the market decide.

  2. BigAl

    Arguing for free markets in Asheville is like arguing for civil rights at a Klan rally. Now if you quote anarchist doctrine, removing all traffic signs and regulations might have a chance.

    If drivers really are yielding at roundabouts and stopping at Yield signs, we should replace all Stop signs with roundabouts. That is what city council wanted anyway. Thet were so enamored of the foolish roundabout at River Arts District that they were willing to drive away one of Asheville’s few remaining industrial businesses to have it. The trucks from the steel mill there cannot negotiate it and announced plans to move out of town because of it.

    Viva La Revolution!

  3. Piffy!

    [b]The trucks from the steel mill there cannot negotiate it and announced plans to move out of town because of it.[/b]

    I recall Mr. Dave making that claim on several occasions, although I suspect the reality was they were operating well-below capacity for years and were having trouble making ends meet.

    On topic, it never ceases to amaze me how people can’t grasp how a traffic circle works. It’s really quite simple, and saves time, fuel, bake, and momentum over stop signs and traffic lights.

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