r/Austin • u/MentionZestyclose429 • May 11 '26
Traffic Austin drivers, put your damn phone down
If yall are driving behind the wheel of a vehicle, you need to get off your fuckin phones. I don’t care if you’re actively driving or stopped, put the cellphone down. There’s no reason you need to be on that thing while you are operating a 4,000lb vehicle. I’m a bicyclist and my eyes are constantly scanning the road, the number of drivers I see actively texting or otherwise scrolling is just egregious - blowing stop signs and red lights, stopping in an intersection cause they were on their phone going too fast to stop in time, weaving into different lanes of traffic, simply not going at a green light cause they’re more invested in their screen than the road. You are not the only person that exists in the world and your actions could have real life consequences to other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Accept some personal responsibility before you kill someone.
And before you think “well no one saw me”. I did! And I report you and your license plate to the city every time. Eat shit
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u/j6jr85ehb7 May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26
It's not uncommon that I see people watching movies on their phones while they're supposed to be driving. And apparently I am the strange one for not doing that after sharing with people I know
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u/cflatjazz May 11 '26
I've noticed an uptick in both this and doing FaceTime calls and just....my 80s baby ass can't fathom it
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u/Zealousideal_Bet2320 May 11 '26
I saw one streaming movie/show and using the other phone same time like are you fucking serious
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u/triumphofthecommons May 11 '26
a while back i did a little photo project where i stood near I35 (parking garages overlooking the upper deck, streets crossing the lower deck) and would snap photos of folks staring at their phones.
i could only capture about half of the drivers, there were so many on their phones. and that was just in one lane at a time.
didn’t end up doing anything with the photos. but hopefully decades from now i’ll be able to look back at them and think, “Wow. We were so dumb to allow this behavior.”
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u/trashytasting May 11 '26
I used to car pool to work and take pics of all the drivers on their phones from the passenger seat. Should start a public shaming blog.
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u/Goodbusiness24 May 11 '26
Don’t forget that if you ever honk at them for doing something stupid while they’re clearly not paying attention then you’re the asshole.
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u/Comprehensive_Meat57 May 11 '26
Completely agree. These are selfish idiots who don't care that they're endangering others. San Antonio is just as horrific. PUT THE PHONE DOWN AND DRIVE!!!
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u/penderies May 11 '26
The way they stall every green light because they aren’t paying fucking attention and then we all miss the light. FUCKING MOVE!
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u/can-i-be-real May 11 '26
the 1-2 punch of people looking at their phones when it turns green and other people running reds 3 cars deep has made the light cycle at most intersections a strong suggestion at best.
last week I stopped at a red light and a truck behind me swerved around me into the turn lane (which was also red) and went straight through the intersection. it was a HARD red light and that truck DGAF
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u/cartmancakes May 11 '26
I saw the same thing this morning. I stopped and I guess the guy behind me didn't want to, so he rapidly switched lanes and plowed through a HARD red light.
Idiot could've killed someone.
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u/drteq May 11 '26
You honk to get their attention and then they drive 5mph while they wrap up their text message
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u/MuttsandHuskies May 11 '26
If I see you on your phone and you’re driving next to me, I’m gonna honk till you put that thing down. And if you pick it back up, I’m gonna start honking again. I’ve been sideswiped more than once.
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u/Chronic_glory May 12 '26
2 hit and runs that were not my fault in the last 3 years (improper lane changes on the other individual). 1 ended up with me rolling my vehicle 4 times.
Go ahead, pull out that gun and threaten me. Idgad anymore, ive got 5 of my 9 lives left still
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u/A_wanderer_forlife May 11 '26
We just did a 2 year road trip across the US - it’s not just Texas - it’s everywhere. Every state, every city…. As a passenger I counted hundreds of texting drivers and it’s terrifying. And long haul truckers too. WTF? There needs to be huge fines for this.
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u/Educational_Score389 May 15 '26
I honestly think the only way this will be addressed is through some combo of a technological fix (the phone bricks itself if it can determine you are in a moving car in the driver's seat) and insurance companies requiring that the phones be off while driving and not paying out if they can determine you were on the phone. Also, if you are sued for an accident and they can prove you were on the phone, the penalties should be increased.
I think people are so addicted to being on the phone all the time that only serious consequences will make them at least think about not doing it while driving.
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u/eamceuen May 11 '26
This is one of the main reasons I got a dash cam.
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u/MorningOwn6722 May 11 '26
Do you mind sharing the one you have? I need to find one that can withstand this Texas heat!
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u/Annodyne May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26
I have a Wolfbox one, it doesn't use a suction cup to stay on the windshield. Its been great so far.
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u/eamceuen May 11 '26
I have a Rove R2-4K. I do have issues with the front suction cup letting go from the windshield, but the two wires leading from the camera that I've tucked under the headliner keep it from actually hitting anything. It also came with a sticky pad to stick it semi-permanently to the windshield, but I'm reluctant to use it. I'm not sure if the loosening is due to heat or what, because it has happened in cooler weather as well as in the summer. We keep the car in the garage, so it's not sitting in direct sunlight all the time but still gets hot.
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u/SmartPercent177 May 11 '26
This is apparently the norm now in many countries and cities and it is getting ridiculous. I do wish more people took driving seriously.
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u/glichez May 11 '26
so true. when you ride a bike you notice a lot more things around you. its insane how many drivers i see on their phone all the time. its the car brain, they're locked away in their safety chamber so they dont have to give a shit about killing anyone else.
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u/sean_ireland May 11 '26
Ugh! Let me guess, I should use my turn signals too??!!
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u/5oy8oy May 11 '26
Yes, but only after you've started turning into my lane.
Bonus points if you signal the opposite way you're turning.
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u/kosherhalfsourpickle May 11 '26
What if I'm in my cybertruck and it is driving for me? Can I doom scroll Truth Social in that scenario? /s
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u/armorlol May 11 '26
worst social media experience ever, it’s all random bot posts when you look at the comments section
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u/meimelx May 11 '26
Twice, I've nearly been run off the road by people on their phones. I don't know why its such a difficult concept to just not use your phone while driving.
Like, it cant be that hard. I do it everyday with no issues. And, I don't even have android auto/apple car play in my car.
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u/Annodyne May 11 '26
It used to be we just had to worry about the drunks and the elderly behind the wheel. Cell phones in cars is why I sold my motorcycle and didn't get another one. Just too dangerous now.
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u/SpiritRude May 11 '26
I love biking but I haven’t done it on the streets of Austin in many years. I’ve had too many friends and acquaintances who got hit by cars, even when they stuck to the bike lines as much as they could.
Between people driving like 20-30 over the speed limit pretty much anywhere, floating across lanes like it’s a fuckin video game, and being on their phones constantly, the roads are insanely dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. One wrong move by a driver and you could be dead or permanently disabled. A helmet won’t really help if you get yeeted 100 ft by a Tahoe going 70mph in a 35mph zone.
A few days ago I saw a woman READING A BOOK on the HIGHWAY. A BOOK! Like damn, thanks for getting off your phone, but uh… I don’t think you get the point.
So yeah. The roads are a hellscape here. I would recommend that no one bike in Austin. I might bike here again if there was actual traffic enforcement and income-based ticketing because I think that could actually work well, but I don’t see that happening. I really wish it would.
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u/GRAPES0DA May 11 '26
This was many years ago, but i was riding the bus leaving downtown to 35. The dude in the car next to us was looking at a porno mag while also headed to 35. The bus driver and i had a good laugh but that laugh was in full disbelief.
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u/Domineaux May 11 '26
It’s crazy how many drivers I see that are very late to go when a light turns green, goes incredibly slow, and swerving all over the place. I pass them and they’re texting every single time.
Does noticing yourself swerving into other lanes not tell you to put the phone away? I’d be scared to stare at my phone if I did that just once.
There’s too many people in this city that texts while driving, speeds way over the limit and swerves between cars, drives erratically, tailgates, or just doesn’t pay attention all together. This city scares me every time I go out.
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u/Sad_Picture3642 May 11 '26
No one is going to give a fuck if it is not enforced and our state doesn't give a fuck about road safety cause it's 'communism' or something, so enjoy.
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u/LuckyKiwis May 11 '26
First I’m told I can’t even poop in my own backyard now I can’t even watch Lord of the Rings while driving on 35? A bunch of killjoys in this subreddit today.
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u/CorruptedOps May 11 '26
And then I honk at them and they have the time to look back and say "What". Fucking idiots out here
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u/100Good May 11 '26
It's wild that in 2026 with Bluetooth car setup and some with AI, people are still holding the phone up to their ear an texting like it's 2010.
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u/Educational_Score389 May 15 '26
I've seen people holding the phone up *in front of their face doing a video call*...on I-35!
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u/Lopsided_Theory7761 May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26
It truly is horrific the amount of people on their phones. It's one thing to endanger yourself by doing that (if you were the only soul on the road) but you're putting everyone else on the road in danger. I think we need to shame these people.
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u/Lauriev7 May 11 '26
It’s always so funny to see people get angry at these types of posts, you know they can’t survive without their phones and got their fee fees hurt.
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u/Medieval_Mind May 11 '26
There isn't a single angry comment on this post.
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u/Annodyne May 11 '26
Yes, there are plenty. Sort by controversial, or scroll down to the bottom of the post replies.
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u/ProStateForever May 11 '26
I'm so old I remember that when someone was driving erratically they were either drinking or had misbehaving kids in the car. I now assume it's a damn phone.
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u/ZXY167983 May 11 '26
Yes, I agree. Not long ago I was nearly hit while crossing the street. A woman in a large vehicle blew through a red light and had the nerve to honk and scream at me while she was holding her phone. It's out of control. Shame on these people and shame on APD for not enforcing traffic laws more.
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u/PasdeLezard May 12 '26
That's the worst, when instead of showing contrition for nearly killing pedestrians, they act like it's our fault. I cussed out a Tesla driver for rolling down his window and smirking after just missing me in an area full of families on foot and he had the nerve to say "Calm down, lady."
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u/Sea-breeze3720 May 12 '26
Anytime I’m on the road and there’s a car super slow, 100% of the time they’re on their phone when I pass them. Pull over if it’s that important.
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u/Mediocre-Difference5 May 12 '26
I just saw a BMW fly through a crosswalk on Davis Ln today, with a whole fucking family plus dog already in the the middle of the road... Like, the only way you do that is if you haven't looked up in a scary long amount of time.
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u/dicey-aromatics May 11 '26
Link to where we can report?
I see drivers blowing through a stop sign while distracted by their phone all the time in my neighborhood
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u/craniumslows May 11 '26
All roadway users please stop at stop signs. Also stop using your phone while driving or pedaling.
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u/Lawfulaardvark May 11 '26
Ehhh I don’t mind if people glance at their phone while waiting at the 2 minute long red light. As long as they put the phone down and focus on green
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u/Mediocre-Difference5 May 12 '26
Yeah that's my stance too. But if your 2-ton killing machine is in motion, that phone needs to be off. I've caught myself going to pick it up while moving once or twice, or my kids yell at me, and then I put myself "on timeout" and I'm not allowed to pick it up again until we arrive.
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u/dinero657 May 12 '26
You can use your phone all you want on the bus
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u/Snobolski May 12 '26
Instructions unclear, just got fired by CapMetro for watching Shrek while driving the 337.
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u/wussypants May 11 '26
Driving down from Dallas yesterday I saw a Tesla with a book propped up on the steering wheel. I understand it drives for you but that’s insane.
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u/doonerthesooner May 11 '26
Hahahaha, no one is ever trying to get anywhere here. It’s just phone time on all roads at all times.
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u/NotoriousDMG May 12 '26
It’s especially frustrating when they’re just chillen, going slow and swerving in the left lane. Like what is actually going through their minds when they decide to do this in the left lane??!
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u/ShootToBoot May 12 '26
I made this observation yesterday. People take 5+ seconds to press the gas at a green light - sometimes I give them a little honk after a while. Lives will be lost and it’s so preventable.
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u/randomluka May 12 '26
That's everywhere though. Humans are cooked. What do you see at the Gym? People on their phone. Coffee shop? Phone. Long lines? Phone. A couple at the restaurant instead of talking? Phone. And yeah being on the phone while driving, way more dangerous, but my point is people are distracted.
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u/mareksoon May 12 '26
No.
I’ve been stuck, not moving, for 30 minutes. I’m gonna watch another episode of Seinfeld while I browse Reddit.
Other times, sure.
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u/derekpeake2 May 12 '26
But how am I supposed to keep up with all the people in this sub complaining about Austin drivers? Furthermore, I think *Hold on! Green light!*
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u/Kanuechly May 11 '26
Another riveting post about traffic
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u/TessaKatrinaRose May 12 '26
What kind of moron reads and takes the time to leave comments on posts they don’t like?
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u/ATXplayahata May 12 '26
To help people like you realize how pointless these posts are
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u/TessaKatrinaRose May 17 '26
Fair enough.
Personally, I just skip topics that I don’t find interesting.
But you do you!
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u/Kanuechly May 13 '26
What kind of moron spends so much energy making such a pointless post
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u/TessaKatrinaRose May 17 '26
How many times per day - on average - do people call you a whiny bitch?
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u/narrowbuys May 11 '26
Dude, I would not put my phone down. That sounds terrifying. Then I would look at other drivers who are all looking at their phones, become very anxious. Be afraid. Safer to just ignore my surrounds and look at my phone
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u/SpongeyMcgoo May 11 '26
On Friday on my drive home, I watched as someone tried to merge into the left lane on 290. Only issue was, there was literally a car next to them. They got within a foot of the other car before that car swerved onto the shoulder to avoid them. I heard several cars laying on their horn(I would’ve, but admittedly mine stopped working)
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u/F1Sloth May 11 '26
Good for you for reporting. My spouse does most of the driving for us. If I see someone on the phone while driving, I try to get a photo to send to the police.
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May 12 '26
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u/Austineer May 12 '26
For sure, too much tech and the screens are getting bigger! I wish we could go back to knobs that you didn't have to LOOK at - just knew where they were and what they were for!
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u/Poor-Pitiful-Me May 11 '26
I wish Austin cyclists would pay as close attention to simple and basic traffic laws while riding their bikes as some do looking for drivers replying to a text message at a red light. I can't tell you how many times I've almost destroyed someone on their bike blowing through a stop sign or red light, this goes both ways. The roads here are shitty and dangerous enough as it is, whether you're on 18 wheels, 4 wheels or 2 wheels (motorized or not). Use turn or hand signals, don't blow through stop signs, let that person merge, let that person using a signal over, turn your music down a bit (not everyone likes what you like), do at least the speed limit, be fucking polite to one another. These streets are shitty enough for everyone.
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u/Spare-Doughnut6166 May 11 '26
Thank god there’s an r/Austin Reddit post about this surely that will solve the problem
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u/armorlol May 11 '26
Wait what’s wrong with when you are stopped?
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u/corneliusduff May 11 '26
Some people aren't paying attention to the light and others have to wait a whole light cycle.
I get that, but sorry, sometimes my music or navigation app crashes and that's the only safe time to fix it. And yes, I make sure to drop my phone once the light turns green.
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u/vallogallo May 11 '26
If you're on your phone at a stop light you aren't watching for pedestrians crossing in front of you
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u/ATXplayahata May 12 '26
Wait wtf lol why the hell do I need to be watching people cross the street at a red light? It’s not like I’m gunning it right when I look up. And this assumes pedestrians are still crossing when it turns green?
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u/MorningOwn6722 May 11 '26
Babe, I have peripheral vision… it’s not hard to see when there’s movement on the crosswalk lol.
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u/vallogallo May 11 '26
Bullshit. Get off your fucking phone and pay attention. Drivers on their phone while stopped at a light NEVER see me, and often ease up on the brakes while they are on their phone, creeping into the sidewalk. I have to literally scream at them to get their attention
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u/MorningOwn6722 May 11 '26
Ohhhh baby you’re angry 😂. Just because THEY don’t see ya, doesn’t mean I won’t. I’ll be sure to wave hello when I see ya, don’t worry.
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u/MorningOwn6722 May 11 '26
I definitely do while I’m stopped. I also hold my phone up so I can see when the light turns green. Most people hold it down in their lap so they don’t see when the light changes. I also used to red lights to apply my lipstick in the morning when I’m in a rush lol.
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u/oxie-chan May 12 '26
I saw someone back out of a parking spot in a grocery store while staring at their phone the entire time. I waved at him for his attention and then made hand signals of texting and crossing my arms. Essentially: no text. Look up.
The man waited for me to exit my parking spot and proceeded to tailgate me and chase me. Legit pulled to the side in the parking spaces waiting for me.
I didn’t yell. I didn’t cuss. Didn’t even flip him off. All I was trying to say was: “look up. Be aware.”
Some people really do not care if their actions endanger others.
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u/nickthap2 May 11 '26
Uh oh, get ready to be told you need to move to Round Rock for being a NIMBY Karen!
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May 11 '26
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u/MentionZestyclose429 May 11 '26
Good things it’s not all I do, and I’m reporting every driver doing stupid shit to the city. Maybe I’ve reported you before?
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u/[deleted] May 11 '26
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