Today I am writing about driving. Quite frankly, people are idiots. I’m pretty sure everybody thinks they are a GREAT driver and thinks that every incident they encounter on the road is somebody else’s fault. Really though, people are dumb and do not know how to drive. This fact is only escalated in the winter. I think people should have to take mandatory “refresher” courses in driving every time they renew their driver’s license, because it amazes me what you see on the road. Here are a couple of my key pet peeves and instructions for those who do not remember how to drive on the highway and use their blinkers:
- First of all, let’s clear this up…On the highway, the lanes actually do have a purpose.
- Right Lane = “Merging Lane”. If you choose to drive in the right lane, realize that you have to deal with the merging traffic. The merging drivers do not have anywhere else go go…so you acting like a d-bag and not allowing them to merge into traffic makes you an idiot. If you can’t merge like an adult, then don’t drive in the merging lane. If there is no middle lane(s), then this can also be considered a driving lane, but on 3+ lane highways, this is a lane for merging traffic. At the same time, those merging into traffic need to realize they are doing so, and GET UP TO SPEED. Don’t merge onto a 70MPH highway at 35MPGH…I mean, seriously.
- Middle Lane(s) = “Driving Lane(s)”. This is the lane(s) you can and should drive in, and have the least amount of issue. If you aren’t passing anybody, and you don’t want to [properly] deal with the mergers, then stay in this lane(s).
- Left Lane = “Passing Lane”…NOT fast lane or driving lane, PASSING lane. There is no such thing as a fast lane, and you do not just sit in the left lane driving a long like you don’t have a care in the world. As you drive along, and come up to slower traffic, you move into the left lane, pass the slower traffic, then move back over. It’s a very simple concept, and not difficult at all. The left lane does not give you permission to drive as fast as humanly possible either. If I’m in the left lane, passing slower traffic (aka, using the lane for its purpose) and you come up behind me, you don’t get to get pissed off because I’m driving slower than you. I will move over once I pass the traffic moving slower than me, then you can be on your way.
- Next, that blinker thingy installed on your car is NOT just for decoration.
- For as long as I have been driving, I have never understood the difficulty in properly using your blinker. Where along the lines do people decide “you know, I’m not going to use this anymore”? It’s easy…pull it UP to turn right, push it DOWN to go left. It’s not heavy, it doesn’t take a lot of concentration, the concept never changes, and it really takes little effort at all. BUT, it goes a LONG way. Believe it or not, that little blinking light helps express your intentions to the drivers around you. Imagine that. Now, HOW to use your blinker…that is the questions.
- When you are turning at an intersection (whether in a turn lane or not)...you use your blinker. Just because you are in the “Left Turn Only” lane, turning left, does NOT mean you don’t need to use your blinker. Cross traffic may not know that you are in a turn only lane…they don’t know that YOU know you are in a turn only lane. The blinker is proof that you are indeed turning, and not going to drive head on into oncoming traffic.
- When you are switching lanes, on any type of road…you use your blinker. Not AS you switch lanes, not AFTER you switch lanes, BEFORE, to show intent. This way, people know you are intending on moving over, and can leave space instead of slamming on the brakes after you begin cutting them off. Along these lines…if somebody has their blinker on, and is trying to move over, don’t be a jerk and act like you are losing out on some kind of prize just because somebody gets in front of you. Trust me…it WILL be OK.
- When you are merging onto the highway…you use your blinker. Personally, I think this concept is ridiculous, but, you do it anyway.
- When pulling into a parking space, into your driveway, into your garage, out of a parking space on the street, etc…you use your blinker. Just because you know “that’s my house” or because you know you are pulling into or out of that parking space…those driving around you do NOT know that. When you signal your intentions, the drivers around you can adjust their driving to accommodate that (slow down, stop, go around you). Seriously people, a little courtesy goes a LONG way.
- Most importantly, use your blinker when you actually intend on turning/switching lanes. Not 2 blocks before you are going to do so, or as you are doing so…use common sense! And remember, it is actually ILLEGAL to not use your blinker, and it actually can come with a pretty hefty fine.
- Finally, just some miscellaneous pointers:
- Brush your CAR off when it snows. That means your windows AND your car itself – particularly the roof. I don’t need the 8 inches of snow on top of your SUV flying at me non-stop as I’m driving down the highway. Stop being lazy, and remove the snow from your vehicle before you drive.
- When you are turning onto a street and/or merging into traffic, you need to do so when it’s appropriate. If I’m driving on a 45MPH street, and you pull out right in front of me, there is no way you are going to get up to speed in time. People should not have to slow down so that you can merge into traffic. Get over yourself.
- Nobody wants to listen to your lame music, feel your annoying bass vibrating their car or watch your cigarettes go flying out the window. R-E-S-P-E-C-T (yes, in my driving career I have been guilty of all of these…but I have grown up and realized the err of my ways).
OK, after all that venting, here’s a cute picture of Amelia to cheer you up!
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