Truer words were never spoken, but that’s only half the problem at most stoplights.  I have to wonder about the 2-3 car length gap between motorists at the lights.  The poor guy at the end of that line is stuck waiting on the rest to do the “Panama City Creep-up” before he or she can get into the turn lane, and most times misses the green arrow. The mentality of “I’m the only one on the road” is pervasive in the Panama City driving community.

Concerned, I know without a shadow of a doubt that you have at one point in your life been this person sitting at that green light holding up traffic.

And why do people think Panama City is so unique?  This “Panama City Creep-up” happens everywhere...and yes, I hate it everywhere too.  Drives me crazy to be far back in a turn lane...see a car turn, then have to wait 5 or 6 seconds for that next car to turn.  He should have been right on his tail (within a safe distance of course) ready to turn.

Actually, I’m not one of those people… I know it’s easy for you to try to believe that the person criticizing has commited the same acts but this isn’t always true. There are actually some of us who don’t do those things…

Negative partner, unless you have never driven before and only ridden shotgun, then yes, at some point in your life, you have missed the light turning green for a few seconds and held up traffic.  If you truly believe you are the only person on the planet who hasn’t done this, then I truly pity you.

Yep Concerned, you’ve done it. We all have.

I think that people are trying to do too much while they are driving.  Eating, talking on the phone, dealing with their kids etc...Although this is aggravating I worry more about their inattention causing accidents.

This was my point exactly, gretel! If they aren’t watching for green lights, which are easy, what about them pulling out into brisk traffic, or stopping for red lights or cars pulling out in front of them or… You have to be extremely alert and aware to avoid problems. I just don’t see it with so many of the drivers here. I could have an accident a week if I wasn’t paying close attention when I’m driving and it wouldn’t even be my fault.

While this may have been the point you were going for, it was not the point you gave.  Your inability to actually admit that you have never once held up traffic is just amazing to me.  Ignorance is bliss I guess.

I would like to see all of us be more concerned about the issue(s), rather than who said what or who did what............. If the commentary denegrates to a personal level, the blog becomes just more of the over-the-fence, backyard gossip.  Lets face it folks, there are a lot of bad drivers here in PC.  The lack of attention while operating any kind of motor vehicle is appalling.  We’ve all seen the bozo’s who don’t use turn signals when changing lanes; who don’t use the vehicles mirrors, etc.  It might interest all of you to know that Bay county is the front-rear collision capital of Florida.  Where the answer lies, I’m not certain, but a good start may be to have every driver requalify with a road test every five years.  Providing stiff fines for drivers wirh major driving infractions would be another.  Your thoughts???

I will admit that I have held up traffic before.  Usually due to not wanting to dart out when I think that it may not be safe.  The guy in back of me lays on his horn.  He’s in so much of a hurry he doesn’t realize that it may take a moment for a safe break in traffic.

Nobody is forcing anyone into a dangerous situation to enter an intersection that hasn’t cleared yet, least of all me. We are talking about people who are apparently sleeping at the wheel(doing something other than driving) when the light turns green. I personally don’t honk unless at least 15 seconds have passed, the intersection is clear and no movement.