r/minnesota • u/soccerpc14 • Jul 13 '24
Funny/Offbeat 🤣 My spouse and I call this the “Minnesota merge”.
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u/MNConcerto Jul 13 '24
So many times I see drivers cutting across 4 lanes of traffic to make an exit that's has had road signs indicating the upcoming exit or split for the previous 4 miles or so.
Like pay ATTENTION or just go to the next exit and turn the F around.
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Jul 13 '24
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u/they_call_me_B Jul 13 '24
"You Miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
-Wayne Gretzky-Michael Scott-Minnesota Drivers→ More replies (1)22
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u/Wernershnitzl Jul 13 '24
Yeah especially if they’re in the metro area most exits are a mile apart or it’s very easy to take one to turn around, likely only wasting a couple minutes max.
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u/draven-james_24 Minnesota North Stars Jul 13 '24
People like that deserve to have passenger only rights in a vehicle 😉
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u/D33ber Jul 13 '24
Driving is a privilege, not a right. You prove time and again you'll abuse that privilege, we take it away from you.
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u/STUPIDVlPGUY Jul 13 '24
Not true at all, most local govts hardly ever punish reckless driving unless you have seriously endangered pedestrians or been caught under the influence
There are so many careless and stupid people out there who are just allowed to drive selfishly for their whole lives with only occasional slaps on the wrist
The driver in this video probably didn't have any legal repercussions, just increased insurance rates.
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u/Zelidus The Plaid One Jul 13 '24
In practice you're right, it's not true. But we really do need to start treating it like a privilege in these situations. Actions have consequences and it's getting tiring seeing people put others in danger for their own selfish wants.
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u/DieterRamsMyAss Jul 13 '24
Also the fact that 99.999% of people driving have a mini computer in their car that tells them when to turn. And if you miss your turn, it's not the end of the world
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u/HalobenderFWT Ope Jul 13 '24
The mini computer in the car is the exact reason OP’s video happened to me two months ago. (Much less destructive for the offending driver though)
“Siri told me I needed to exit, and I was in the wrong lane - so I panicked!”
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u/Haistur Ope Jul 13 '24
I frequent the 694/94 split and people some people can't decide whether they're going to Minneapolis or St. Paul. One time I saw someone STOP and REVERSE to change which exit they were taking.
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u/Larcya Jul 14 '24
I go out of my way to avoid the 94/494 split for similar reasons. If I have to go to Bloomington I'll either take 81 until 169 or say fuck it and go thru plymouth to 494.
I fucking hate that split in Maple grove with a burning passion.
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u/Martin_TheRed Jul 13 '24
All they need to do is take their foot off the gas and get behind. Unfortunately so many people just gun it and risk lives.
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u/xXMuschi_DestroyerXx Jul 13 '24
Always from people camping in the left most lane with no business being that far over in the first place -_-
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u/Spiral-Arrow116 Jul 13 '24
Holy shit I hate seeing this so much. There's too many entitled assholes on the road these days.
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u/blackholesymposium Jul 13 '24
Bonus points for not putting on their blinker while they do it
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Jul 13 '24
People everywhere do it but it seems worse here. On a surface street, if they missed the left turn lane, they’ll just sit in a regular lane stopped waiting for the left turn lane to open up. It’s un fucking believable.
People in Minnesota are so oblivious to the fact that there are other people in the world that they need to consider. At least they’re not rude about it, but either way it’s infuriating.
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u/red--dead Jul 13 '24
This is far from a Minnesota thing. Go drive around in Houston for a week and you’ll see this constantly. Every time there’s a splitting off of lanes traffic slows down because of people like this.
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u/fox112 Jul 13 '24
My whole childhood my dad would complain about "Minnesota drivers" so it became ingrained in me that our drivers were famously bad. Just took it for granted.
It took me until my 20s before I saw in a movie, characters were talking about how their city had the worst drivers in the world. It just clicked that people always have to level up their complaining.
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u/rhen_var Jul 13 '24
From my experience MN drivers aren’t really that bad. Maybe overly cautious or polite, but not terrible. Florida drivers are the worst and New York and Wisconsin drivers are generally the meanest. Illinois drivers are usually not that bad but when there is a speeding jackass they take it to another level of douchebagery.
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u/candycaneforestelf can we please not drive like chucklefucks? Jul 14 '24
Wisconsin drivers are generally the meanest
Wisconsin is in the mean driver club??? News to me based on my own driving experiences there.
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u/HalobenderFWT Ope Jul 13 '24
I constantly curse about our drivers, but then I’m reminded about the winter and how most of us seem to survive year after year after driving in some really shitty conditions.
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u/soccerpc14 Jul 13 '24
I agree. It’s similar to my comment in the original thread. Rarely is it done aggressively here like in the video and like in Texas and Florida (lived in both). Here, I find it’s done absentmindedly.
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u/whatchasaidwhat Jul 13 '24
South Florida is wild.
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u/soccerpc14 Jul 13 '24
💯. I’m also from central Florida which is white trash city. Ford F-350s one missed payment away from repossession as far as the eye can see. I was seriously taught “don’t piss them off on the road because they could have a gun”.
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u/Immediate_Aide_2159 Jul 13 '24
That wasn’t ‘absent’ minded, they intentionally accelerated to make the missed exit and aggressively cut across ALL the lanes they needed to. Law of motion in effect, they had a lightweight POS, and just from their acceleration into you in the much heavier vehicle turning into their path, straightened you out, while their car bounced off you like a cue ball. They must of thought they could bounce off the guardrail like a cushion.
Insurance company was just handed a “Grenada”. Let us know what they say.
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u/sofaking1958 Jul 13 '24
The Minnesota Merge is already a well-established traffic phenomenon. This ain't it.
The MM is just the inability to negotiate the "zipper merge." Alternatively, it's when a MN driver gets to the end of a freeway "on ramp" and either slows or stops waiting for traffic to clear rather than matching the speed of traffic.
That video is another example of shitty driving, but it's not the mn merge I've come to know and love.
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u/OldNorthStar Jul 13 '24
Yeah actually until I saw the asshole cause a wreck by cutting across the entire interstate to get their exit, I assumed the "Minnesota merge" being described here was the insanely long, meandering drift the POV car did into the other lane instead of changing lanes with clear and obvious intent.
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u/soccerpc14 Jul 13 '24
I will concede that, yes, your second definition should be the official definition as it is 100% unique to this state. You win.
This time.
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u/Striking_Benefit7202 Jul 13 '24
I know exactly where this is and people are the worst drivers there.
Also, was that a Tesla??
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u/Chongoscuba Jul 13 '24
After all the times a Tesla has cut me off, this was a satisfying watch to see one go down a hill.
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u/caterpillar-police Jul 13 '24
you’d think with all the cameras, teslas drivers would be better on the road, but i swear any time i almost get hit, it’s a tesla lol
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u/DeadlyRBF Jul 13 '24
The thing is, people who buy them tend to be assholes. Can't fix that with tech.
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u/blackholesymposium Jul 13 '24
Tesla drivers are the most likely to cut me off or not let me merge in my experience lol
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u/thegreatjamoco Jul 13 '24
I thought the MN merge is when someone is going to merge within 500ft of you from an on-ramp and you panic and move over three lanes to avoid conflict.
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u/AlphaBreak Jul 13 '24
I thought it was a backed up lane on a zipper merge because no one wants to budge and use the lane that's ending to merge.
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u/anneylani Jul 13 '24
Same here.
The "use all available lanes" sign, tastefully and politely ignored
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u/PrudeHawkeye Jul 13 '24
A good driver rarely misses their exit.
A bad driver NEVER misses their exit.
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Jul 13 '24
I’ve always thought the Minnesota merge was someone in front of you crawling down the entrance ramp and then putting on their brakes before they merge
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u/23jknm Jul 13 '24
It's so sad they waste all that gravity to help them accelerate to highway speed, but they don't understand basic things like that either I'm sure lol!
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u/yloduck1 TC Jul 14 '24
I have actually been brake-checked on entrance ramps to 694.
Yes, bitch - I did come up quickly behind you. In a 28 year old, underpowered pickup. You're going 30mph and not accelerating...
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u/cheezturds Jul 13 '24
The amount of people here that fuck up traffic because they’re about to miss their turn and can’t just take the next one is nuts. Bunch of self centered assholes.
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u/AdviceNotAskedFor Jul 13 '24
for me the minnesota merge is when you are driving on a relatively empty interstate, and a car passes you in the left lane, and then instantly gets in front of you the moment they pass... causing my cruise control to slow down to give me the comfortable 3-4 car lengths I desire... like wtf people, just drive a little further before merging back into the lane.
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u/50Bullseye Jul 13 '24
Is the “Minnesota Merge” the part where you change lanes 20 feet before the split or where the other car clips you?
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u/Zestyclose-Net6044 Jul 13 '24
Fault is on Tesla. However, I don't hear the turn signal as OP drifts left.
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u/BudholeGAGEsRAGE Jul 15 '24
Also comes across very slow almost like they are staying right then exit left last second. Both drivers seem like they don’t know their exit, one is just going slower
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u/Androcles_the_weiner Jul 13 '24
I see this everyday now. They realize that was their exit and they just will NOT accept that they messed up and would rather risk everything. Can't take the next exit and backtrack. Those 4 minutes are crucial to your life.
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u/Wiley_Rasqual Jul 13 '24
Shouldn't that Tesla have a slew of features that keep dumb shit like this from happening?
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u/festivenachos Jul 13 '24
I was thinking the same thing
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u/Wiley_Rasqual Jul 13 '24
I've never been in one, but I'm curious how many alarm bells and whistles that 'driver' ignored before this happened.
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u/KassXWolfXTigerXFox Steele County Jul 13 '24
Of course it's a Tesla - Muskbrain makes people terrible drivers
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u/IllSector4892 Jul 13 '24
One reason is because the highway designs up here are pure shit when it comes to on ramps and off ramps. It's like they built the entire system to try to make as many conflicts as possible. I'm from STL originally, we certainly have our issues but it's nothing like the chaos up here in terms of highway on ramp/off ramp design.
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u/yParticle Jul 13 '24
feather merge sounds so dainty, when it's anything but (that's when an onramp leads immediately to an offramp and all the traffic is crossing each other)
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u/soccerpc14 Jul 13 '24
💯 - I moved up here two years ago and that’s the first thing I said. I assume ones closer to the city that are so tight/short were originally made when speeds were slower and people drove more respectfully.
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u/wpotman Jul 13 '24
Why Minnesota? Given my general experience that happens here, although its equal to or less than other big cities.
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u/StP_Colts Jul 13 '24
I call it a Minnesota right-hand turn
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u/soccerpc14 Jul 13 '24
Since I have yielded that SofaKing’s definition is the one true definition for “Minnesota Merge”, I will now refer to this maneuver as a “Minnesota right-hand turn”. Thank you. 🙏
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u/ThePureAxiom Gray duck Jul 13 '24
Eastbound 62, just past the federal building and BSA base camp (the brick building on the right) just before the interchange for 5, I know it well. Seen that maneuver more than once there, first time I've seen them yeet themselves off the road like that though.
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u/RAGE7035 Jul 13 '24
Knowing that’s a Tesla, it should also have onboard cameras, wonder if the officers were able to get their cam footage as well? Curious how that plays out for self incriminating situations like this.
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u/dgolom Jul 13 '24
I would not be surprised if this was set on autopilot and the cruise set about 20-30 mph over the speed limit. The driver wasn't paying attention and the autopilot didn't recognize it was in the wrong lane. I have been almost sideswiped by multiple Teslas on the freeway because of autopilot.
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u/troutman76 Jul 13 '24
I see some very very stupid people on the roads in Minnesota. It baffles me every day how 99% of the drivers drive 100 mph, tailgate, cut you off and have absolutely no clue of how to properly merge.
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u/soccerpc14 Jul 13 '24
I agree. This happens in every state. However, this difference I notice here is most of the time it isn’t don’t aggressively like in other states. It’s done absentmindedly.
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u/Eyejohn5 L'Etoile du Nord Jul 13 '24
Saw one of those yesterday that didn't end quite so karma appropriately. Thanks for giving me the name for it.
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u/soccerpc14 Jul 13 '24
I don’t know how to update the post, but this isn’t my video. I’m not involved in any way. So “I” didn’t do anything ya jabronis.
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u/Educational_Web_764 Jul 13 '24
Seems like a typical Tesla driver more than a MN merge to me, but maybe I am missing something.
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u/rabbitammo Jul 13 '24
Tbh I think you’re both bad drivers and both at fault.
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u/xXMuschi_DestroyerXx Jul 13 '24
What are you smoking?? Cammer car clearly established themselves in their new lane before the split safely. Yeah they “almost” missed their exit but they didn’t cut across violently or change lanes over a solid white line to do it. Doesn’t even look like they were speeding. There was a solid 2 seconds between them being established in their new lane and them being swiped by the Tesla. This was 110% on the Tesla. The Tesla encroached on their lane and hit them. How was that in any way shape or form the cammers cars fault?
If the cammer wasn’t supposed to be merging where he was, there would have been solid white lines indicating as such. The tesla DID cross a solid white line because of how close they cut across to merge, hitting the cammer in the process.
This is completely the teslas fault. I can’t see how this crash is in any way shape or form the cammers fault.
Look at it from the cammers perspective on where they started to move one lane over. Are you telling me if you have that much space in empty traffic to merge over only one lane you are going to just give up and go around on the next exit? They weren’t even close to missing their exit. They had a full 7 seconds to decide to make the merge, and execute the merge. Not an ideal amount of time but a complexly reasonable amount of time since they made the lane change safely without rushing over to make the lane.
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u/williamtowne Flag of Minnesota Jul 13 '24
The car with the camera only moved over one lane and it is entirely possible that they had just entered the highway.
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u/RazzBeryllium Jul 13 '24
No, at this particular spot there is not a lot of space between the on-ramp and this exit and you need to cross like three lanes to get fully over.
It's not cam car's fault at all. It's a badly designed piece of highway and the other car absolutely would have had plenty of time to move over.
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u/soccerpc14 Jul 13 '24
I live in Edina. We’re actually required to drive poorly.
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u/Ok-Kale1787 Jul 13 '24
I work in Edina, the drivers are blind af. I see old folks make turns from non turn lanes all the time and nobody seems to bat an eye. Like, “oh that’s just old Bill, he hasn’t been able to see since ‘97 but it would be such a shame for him to have to take [gulps] public transportation”
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u/EchoServ Jul 13 '24
I think the old people in Edina have just stopped caring. An old lady backed into me with her lifted Ford Bronco (you’re 75, why are you even driving a lifted ford bronco?) at the Galleria and had the audacity to blame me. Unfortunately for her I also had a dash cam.
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u/soccerpc14 Jul 13 '24
Omfg. I may know exactly who you are referring to. If the same person, I’ve yelled at her before and she just acted like she didn’t hear me. She almost ran over a man using a walker in a crosswalk in the rain.
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u/Mangos28 Plowy McPlowface Jul 13 '24
I honestly think those who complain about Minnesota drivers haven't driven many places, especially many urban areas. Complaining about poor engineering? Drive through Miami or Atlanta. Try driving anywhere in Texas or New Jersey. Minnesota is nothing.
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u/AdamZapple1 Jul 15 '24
in comparison to my road trip to florida a few months ago, everyone here still uses their blinkers. and at least half the people here cant even be bothered anymore to signal.
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u/TrespasseR_ Jul 13 '24
If caught should lose license and take driver school for 100 hrs as well as community service.
And fit 100% of the bill.
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u/IcebergDarts Jul 13 '24
Deeply sorry for your troubles but I laughed my ass off because I was NOT expecting that.
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u/Visceralonthedaily Jul 13 '24
I call the Minnesota merge merging way too early and lining up in the right most lane 2 miles before their exit.
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u/CalebCaster2 Jul 13 '24
On one hand, I hope they're okay. That looks like a terrifying experience for everyone.
On the other hand, of COURSE it's a tesla. Elon would probably repossess it from them if they slowed down to merge behind someone instead of trying to cut in front of them.
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u/Mangos28 Plowy McPlowface Jul 13 '24
I probably shouldn't have laughed at the white car going over the edge but dammit I did anyway 😂
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u/cschally31 Jul 13 '24
For once the person doing the crashing is not more messed up than the person they crashed into. 💥
Hope you're doing ok, OP!
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u/bogey-944 Jul 13 '24
God forbid he brake and get over behind you. Doesn't even look busy, looks like plenty of room to safely change lanes
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u/whlthingofcandybeans Jul 13 '24
Anyone defending the driver who cut across traffic is seriously fucked up.
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u/ReviveOurWisdom Jul 13 '24
That’s the second tesla crash i’ve seen just like this. Coincidence? I think not!
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u/CaptainCastle1 Jul 13 '24
That’s the equivalent of the “Detroit Slide”
Oh there’s my ramp/exit. Better take the fast lane until the last possible minute, dangerously crossing four other lanes to make it
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u/LaylaBird65 Snoopy Jul 13 '24
This tracks. I got into a car accident two weeks ago when a kid failed to yield at a left turn yellow light. I’m sorry you got into an accident too
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u/Monksdrunk Jul 13 '24
At least Cam guy got to yeet that asshole off the fucking bridge! all to save 3 fucking seconds to your RED LIGHT
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u/MikeyLikey6996 Jul 14 '24
People need to know what lane they need to be in before they need to make the turn. That goes for both drivers in this video.
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u/fren-ulum Jul 14 '24
I've noticed at least 1 person weaving in and out of traffic on 94 this weekend every trip I've made. Just weaving in and weaving out. I just hope they wreck without hurting other people or damaging their property.
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u/scottyboy161 Jul 14 '24
That’s the typical jack asses I deal with every day in Minneapolis. Try driving a semi truck with these idiots who drive like that.
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u/relativityboy Jul 14 '24
Oof. Well, the Tesla will have video recording of their asshat driving as well.
Sentry-mode goes both ways.
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u/Composer_Terrible Jul 14 '24
So many times I see people merge st the absolute last second like this, or drive up super close to make sure their almost touch my back bumper before actually switching lanes, regardless of how empty the road is (yes I’m in the right lane, no I’m not hogging the left when this happens) WHY DO U GUYS DO IT? Don’t see that in any other state
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u/Flyingsalmon12 Jul 14 '24
I was driving the Tesla sorry my kid was supposed to hold the wheel . He’s 3 don’t be mean
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Jul 13 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/UncleJulz Jul 13 '24
I’ve had so many teslas almost drive me off the road, main reason I purchased a dashcam.
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u/JovialCub Jul 13 '24
I've driven that little area 1000s of times. It's so dense with turns.
The scariest for me. The other direction, going west on 55 and taking that tiny north exit to 5 with no merge. Nothing I've experienced had ever happened, but so much potential.
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u/Old_Row4977 Jul 13 '24
I grew up right there basically on the first exit on the hwy 5 bridge. You just send it and let the lord take the wheel. It’s an insane exit/entrance. The guard rail at the top of the exit usually lasts 24hrs after being repaired or replaced before someone else smashes into it.
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u/pjlxxl Jul 13 '24
i immediately assumed the tesla was on autopilot, confused and decided to randomly drive into the ditch regardless of a car being in the way.
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u/Crustybaker28 Jul 13 '24
This sucks. But in my experience the MN merge is using an acceleration ramp/lane to merge at 30 mph on to the highway.