To be fair, there is a lot of traffic created from this problem--especially in the Financial District in San Francisco. Whereas NYC has those "don't block the box" signs and it seems like their drivers are much more aware of it.
SF does have these signs, for example on Battery crossing onto Market [1] (including most intersections onto Market). Unfortunately it doesn't look like the intersection I see block most often (California / Montgomery) has any, and I've been honked at plenty of times waiting for the intersection to clear, so education is probably pretty bad.
I don't know what NYC you're referring to but the one I live in has huge problems with asshats blocking intersections and I've never once seen the NYPD pick up anyone for it (or any other traffic violation).
Of course why anyone drives in Manhattan is beyond me.
Oh it's not just traffic. It makes it dangerous for pedestrians as well. You're either waiting patiently for the intersection to clear (hint: it won't) or you're walking in traffic, around the obstruction. I suppose the latter isn't so bad until someone else that's blocking the box tries to move and nearly runs you over.
The MTA has the right approach. At a number of intersections downtown the traffic enforcement guys just hang out at the intersection taking pictures and writing down license plates of folks who block the box.
Oh, I agree. I was gently chiding OP. I think blocking the intersection like that is one of those things that everyone hates, but has also committed at one point or another. Though from his explanation of the situation in another subthread, it sounds like he was in the right after all.
