The issue, while not a politically partisan one, is intensely polarizing for Phoenix residents. On one side, residents are deeply concerned about the confusing signs and the constant accidents that result. Others seem to think everyone who doesn’t know how to understand the signs quickly is an idiot.
With the exception of some nuanced takes, these perspectives are what can be found in the comments section of the Phoenix New Times Instagram and Facebook pages, where our original story was posted, and in a Reddit post that referenced the article. Across the three sites, hundreds of people shared their thoughts on the suicide lanes.
Instagram user rmgz_xxv noted:
Whyyyyy 😭😭😭 not my fault people can’t read!! I love that lane
Jaime also got sassy:
You’re telling me 5000 people still haven’t learned how to use them
On the other hand, rocklaabster wrote:
I drive both on a near daily basis and I HATE THEM. I have lived in the area for several years and they are always dangerous. Get rid of them.
An account by the username buzhwar.bear added some nuance:
It needs to be labeled better. Perhaps lit up signs overhead to indicate when it’s active.
So did mr_glitch_12:
As someone who works in downtown, get rid of the lanes and put more funding and development on public transportation, that will solve your traffic problems
Camille dabbled in satire:
I can drive in them, it only took me a year to learn, so everyone else can figure it out too. What’s a few near head on collisions anyway? Seems totally fine to have another survey result in 18 months. Meanwhile only three crashes a day, and life flashing before your eyes daily, it’s really not that big of a deal.
You guys all really need to stop complaining, it’s just a couple, few dozen plus needless deaths until we get some new results of the obvious!
See Laura Pastor uses the suicide lane so it should be good enough for all you to learn too! Whatever she likes must be good for the city.
The reference to Phoenix City Councilmember Laura Pastor is a swipe at her public stance that she wants to get rid of the lanes, but that they should be studied first.
On Facebook, Dave dripped with condescension:
It’s not a difficult concept to grasp for those with even mild intelligence.
Mima liked the plan to study the lanes:
Thank you! Serious anxiety driving down those street(s).
On Reddit, Echevarious noted:
I lived between the 7's for years and got over my fear of the suicide lanes. Honestly, the worst part about them was the inability to make left hand turns during certain parts of the day.
User Mudslingshot broke down the problems in greater detail:
The left turn thing is the worst PLANNED thing about them. The ACTUAL worst thing about them is that there's always people trying to turn left, being confused, and honking at each other. I work off of 7th st, and MY GOD the honking does not stop until 9am
But picturepath thinks it’s a great system:
Yeah, I lived on 7th st and worked on 7th Ave for years. I got used to it within a week and it even worked out to my advantage.Whitworth won’t even use the lanes out of fear:
I watched 3 head on collisions happen in one 2 mile stretch. Ill never use them again.
What do you think of the reverse lanes and the council’s decision? Post a comment or share your thoughts at [email protected].
