An Open Letter To Drivers Who Don’t Want to Wait For Red Lights

Dear Drivers Who Don't Want to Wait for Red Lights,

I understand that you are in a hurry and that traffic lights can be a hassle. But here's the deal, you shouldn't just pass multiple vehicles on the right to get to the front of the line to take a right-hand turn. Especially when there is no lane there and there are multiple cars in front of you.

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I try not to complain too much about other drivers, but when there is a chance that I will get in a wreck because of someone else, I let the expletives fly.

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Driving into Missoula on Highway 93 recently, the traffic light at Old Highway 93 and Lower Miller Creek Road was red. There were multiple cars stopped in front of me at the light. The car directly in front of me had its right turn signal on and so did I. As the light turned green and we started to move forward, two vehicles passed us all on the right to get to the front of the line to take a right hand turn.

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If I hadn't glanced in my side mirror and spotted them we could have collided. Both vehicles ignored the fact that there were cars in front of them with their right turn signals on.

The cars passing on the right were also going fast. The speed limit at that intersection is 45 mph. I can't imagine riding a bicycle on this road.

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This isn't the first time this has happened, and I am sure it won't be the last.

On a side note, in case you missed it, there has been a speed limit change on Highway 93 just outside of Missoula. From Buckhouse Bridge to almost Reed Lane it is now a 55 mph zone. It no longer goes from 45 mph to 65 mph.

I don't think anyone likes to stop at a red light. But if you decide to pass multiple vehicles on the right, where there's no lane, don't be surprised if you eventually get into a wreck. When that happens also don't be surprised if you're the one who gets ticketed for causing the wreck. In the meantime, I will continue to try to be a defensive driver and avoid an accident.

Yours,

Chris Wolfe