Driving Pet Peeves
By emeraldisle
@emeraldisle (13139)
United States
February 7, 2007 3:40pm CST
I was doing errands today and saw a few of my pet peeves from other drivers so I thought I'd see if anyone else has some. My three main ones all deal with the right. I know strange but they do. Mine are:
Right turn on red, so many people fail to remember this is an option. It is not mandatory and you do not have to do it. You can sit and wait for the light if you so choose. It's also only when it's possible or when you can do it without risk. I have been sitting to turn right and have people honk their horns at me even though there is on coming traffic. They can't see them but I can and I'm not going to put my life on the line for anyone else.
Which leads to my next one, using the right turn lane as a merge lane. I have almost been nailed a few times from people doing this. They turn right on red but due to traffic they use the right turn lane to turn into and then try to force their way into traffic from there. It's not what it is for, it's for turning right into a place not for merging into traffic.
My last one, passing on the right. I've seen it happen so many times. You are on a two lane road and someone is stopped to make a left turn. Some drivers don't want to wait so they go around on to the shoulder or into opening of another street to pass around them on the right side. I've seen many cars get hit or almost hit because of this due to someone else turning left. Worse though is I've seen cops do it. They should know better.
Do these things irritate you? Do other things? If so what pet peeves do you have about other drivers?
15 people like this
26 responses
@Choggles396 (31)
• United States
7 Feb 07
The absolute biggest pet peeve I have about driving is this:
I am at an intersection, turning right onto a 2 lane (4 lane total) road.
Someone from the cross traffic is turning left onto the same road.
Well, as any driver should reasonably know, I am supposed to turn into the right lane, and the other person is supposed to turn into the left lane. This doesn't happen. Instead, they turn into the right lane (my lane), most likely becuase they are lazy and oblivious to other drivers.
The worst part about it is, when you honk at them to avoid a collision, they flick you off because they don't know or don't even realize it's illegal. If I was a police officer, I would pray this would happen to me every day just to nail these morons.
5 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
7 Feb 07
Oh I know. I live near US 19, a major road that is anywhere from 4 lanes to 8 lanes across depending on the area. Some of the left turns are for two lanes and yet ones in the far left will try to then go into the far right after the turn, thus cutting off the other turners beside them and also anyone turning right onto the road. I see it happen a lot. It's scary how some people drive.
2 people like this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
8 Feb 07
A place for me to vent after just coming from driving on the roads. lol This is what I hate the most those of you who are driving between 7 to 12 miles under the POSTED speed limit because you are to busy fumbling with your cell phone. Get a headset. Not only are you rude and inconsiderate your a hazard to all on the road. My other pet peeve, use a blinker all cars are equipped with these blinking lights that let others know your intentions, you can find the control on the column of your steering wheel. Also it really doesn't help us when you do use it while already in the process of turning. Just my 2 cents. Thank you for letting me vent. Good luck to you here at mylot! :)
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Heheh I think they miss that day in driver's education.
3 people like this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
8 Feb 07
LOL, I swear I feel the same way, no one knows how to use a turn signal properly, in my town. :)
2 people like this
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I used to drive for a living and really got an education. However, I am past the point of getting upset because of other drivers. Anything goes on the roads today, so it is useless to get upset. I can't help it if cars don't have turn signals anymore, people are so much in a hurry that it is now a sin to drive the speed limit, stop signs don't mean stop anymore because they mispelled the word and it should be SHOP not STOP, and cutting people off is really a result of drivers not having the time to look behind them. Come on, you are making a big deal about nothing..lol.
4 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Oh I agree getting angry doesn't do any good. It just amazes me at times what people will do. Who taught them how to drive?
2 people like this
@biwasaki (1745)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Two of my pet peeves are: people who drive slow until they get to a place where there are double lanes, then they speed up so that others can't pass them. As soon as the double lanes merge back into one, they slow down and build up a line of traffic again.
My second pet peeve is people who don't put their babies or younger children into car seats. Its so dangerous for a baby to be riding around on a parents' lap. What if they were to get into a car accident? At least as an adult, you're making a conscious decision not to strap yourself in and you realize the risks involved with doing so. A baby or a young child has no choice. As a parent, you should do the right thing and buckle your babies up!!
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I agree those are both ones that irritate me as well. I hate the ones who go slow in no passing zones and then speed up in the passing ones. They know what they are doing and I swear git a thrill out of aggravating others.
Now I will admit if the child is over 3 it can be hard to keep them in the seat or realize they are out of it since they want them in the back seat only. I know I've had times where the kid has gotten out and with how the vision is for the back seat you can't see them. Under 3 they usually can't get out of the seats and parents should have them in there.
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
At least you realize it. I had one where I didn't realize my neice had climbed out. This woman yelled at me from her car, actually screamed at me, that I should be locked up for not having her in her child seat.
I agree those who put the baby on the lap and such should know better. There is no reason for it. They should realize how risky that is. Not even with an accident just a good bump can cause the kid to get hurt.
2 people like this
@biwasaki (1745)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Yes, I agree keeping a 3 year old (or older) child in a seat can be difficult since they are able to unbuckle themselves and usually do. But at least in those instances the parents are making the effort to keep them strapped into one. The people I am talking about are the ones that don't care that their child isn't buckled up properly and ride around with their babies in their lap like that's a normal thing to do.
3 people like this
@lifeiseasy (2292)
• United States
7 Feb 07
I call me more than pet peeves ...and ues especially at the red light ...Thats why there are so many accidents because everyone is in a hurry and they don't wait or look.. I don't remeber anyone ever passing me on the right side ...but that would be cray on their part...
Here's one of mine ...when people speed up to get ahead of you then slow down to less then what you were originally going.
Next one is when they speed up to get ahead of you and then nearly slam on brakes to take their turn off they needed...I think that people should have to take a refresher course in safe driving every 10 years... it would be good for us all ,myself included ...
4 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
7 Feb 07
I forgot to state I agree with having a mandatory driving test every 10 years. Keep us all on our toes and to remember the rules of the road.
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I also hate those that speed up to pass then sit
there driving slower after the pass. Grrr! HAHAHA!!
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@chaygylmommy (2470)
• United States
7 Feb 07
Those are some good ones. One of my "favorite" pet peeves while driving is someone who comes up on you while you are going the speed limit. Then, they go around and get in front of me and SLOW DOWN! What is the point in that? I have my cruise set at 70 (or whatever the speed limit is) and someone comes up behind me, goes around and then as soon as they are in front of me, slows down to like 60 or whatever! MAKES ME SO MAD! LOL
4 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
OH yeah I've had them do that as well. Can't figure out either so you aren't alone in it.
2 people like this
@halfserious (99)
• United States
8 Feb 07
They do that to prove a point: You're not going fast enough and YOU
are being a jerk. Get out of the way.
3 people like this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
8 Feb 07
There is a lot of things that drivers do that irritate me. I really hate it when people tailgate me. I am already driving above the speed limit but they are going even faster. I do not like it when people cut me off and do not use their turn signals. This morning after getting some snow last night the roads were wet but not icy. I think it is good that people are cautious and driving slower but going almost a snails pace is going too slow.
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Tailgaters scare me more then irritate. I'm so afraid I'm going to have to stop suddenly and they will be in my trunk.
2 people like this
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
8 Feb 07
What irritates me the most about drivers is when they are going like 10 miles below the speed limit and you can't go around because it's just a two lane road. Having people honking at me because I can't go anywhere unless I want to run down innocent people coming out and going into a store. I actually rolled down my window and waved them on. Then once I could go, I went really slow, lol. Your not the only one that will wait at a red before going. I also wait even when people have the turn signal on. Today, If I went, eventhough the other person had there turn signal on. I would have been hurt really bad. The car kept on going. That's my driving pet peeves.
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Sometimes being more cautious saves our lives. I know when the light turns green I'll check to make sure traffic on the cross way has stopped, it's saved me a few times due to idiots running the reds.
2 people like this
@goldjay (465)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I live on a street that I have to turn left onto right off of a main highway. So many times, when I am sitting, waiting to turn left, I have people pass me, at very high speeds no less, on the right side of the road. There is a very narrow shoulder there and sometimes the cars just squeak by, it seems. I wish people would be more patient!
@dragonstar13 (1465)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Given the way traffic is today, just daring to drive on the same road I am on is enough to set me off. LOL
But my biggest peeve is people walking or driving behind me when I am backing up. I guess they figure they have the right of way so they go right behind me. So many times I've almost hit someone -- pedestrians too.
One day I am going to pull a Kathy Bates on them. (From the movie Fried Green Tomatoes where the little cows in their VW took the spot she was waiting for because they were "younger and prettier" than her. So she ran into their car, three times and told them, "I'm older and have more insurance.) Or the half Kathy Bates -- I'm older and have no insurance so you're stuck with the damages.
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I think we have all been tempted at one time or another to repeat that scene. I know I have. Not that I would but oh is it so tempting with some people.
2 people like this
@AskAlly (3625)
• Canada
8 Feb 07
Can you at least do the speed limit? I know that one day I too will be an old farmer chugging into town well below the posted speed limit. I would like to think that I would have the courtesy to at least pull over onto the shoulder and let people pass.
AND keep your flaming eyes on the road. Stop at farmer Joe's and check out his new cow......stop rubber necking.
Phew that feels better.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Hehe feel better now?
I usually tell them to take a picture, it lasts a lot longer. I wish people would realize that there are others on the road and they need to keep traffic going, not stop and gaggle at things on the side of the road.
2 people like this
@simplysue (631)
• United States
8 Feb 07
My peeves are when people shoot across traffic to make a turn when they know full well that everyone will have to break to avoid an accident and then sometimes they cause an accident that they aren't in when some other driver gets rearended because they had to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting the jerk.
Another pet peeve is a parking pet peeve........people who park so close to you that they are in your space. Last night my son and I came out of a store to find that I couldn't even get in the driver's side of our van GRRRRRRR
Another pet peeve is people driving slow in the passing lane. If you want to drive under the speed limit don't do it in the passing lane, and how about those idiots who get stuck behind the slow driver in the passing lane.....you know the one who will go back and forth between lanes knowing full well they won't get anywhere anyway and leaving no space for the slow driver to move over? Wow! I didn't realize there were so many things about other drivers that irritate me until now LOL
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
It adds up huh? There are so many out there that do things that irritate us. At least here you can vent instead of going into road rage:) I agree though about the parking. I've had my share of those where it makes it almost impossible to get in or out.
1 person likes this
@poppoppop111 (5731)
• Canada
8 Feb 07
My biggest driving pet peeve is when people drive slow in the fast lane. especially when they are passing a car but going the same speed of the car they are passing so now no one can get by. that drives me nuts.
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Oh yeah and they block up all the lanes. They all go neck and neck. I swear sometimes they do it on purpose just to see how many people they can aggravate.
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I think it depends. If the person is going below the speed limit then yes they should get over once it is safe to do so. Now if they are going the speed limit or even over then no the other person should slow down. I've had times when I've been going the limit or even above, keeping up with traffic, and I've had people speed up behind me and then honk because I'm not going faster.
2 people like this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
8 Feb 07
How about on the freeway, your in the fast lane driving FAST and your approaching the car in front of you, if possible do you think that car should move over to let you continue?
2 people like this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
8 Feb 07
My pet peeves about the drivers here in South Florida are these:
(1) Making a right turn on red without even stopping, much less looking before they turn...duh!
(2) Talking on the phone while driving. I want to tell them to "hang up and drive".
(3) Never using a turn signal.
(4) Tailgating (I always yell at my daughter-in-law for doing this when I'm in the car with her). Being too close to someone when they decide to turn without signaling can cause a rear-end accident...then you're at fault.
(4) The idiot I had beside me today on my way home from work. We were both in the left turn lanes (2 of them), and as he turned, he got over in my lane (far left) instead of staying in the lane he was in. Thank God I have good reflexes and avoided an accident. He was one of those who couldn't see over his steering wheel and looked about 90 years old.
I think that makes me in favor of mandatory driving tests after a certain age, and I'm turning 65 this year. I've only been involved in one accident in my whole driving life, and it wasn't my fault. No tickets of any kind (knock on wood), even though I may have deserved a few in my younger days.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I've had that happen with the left lefts. We have a lot of double left turn lanes around here and even some three ones. If I'm in the far right left lane I take it wide because so many of them will try to go all the way across and take out anyone in their way. Scares me a lot.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Got to love those. Really makes you wonder about them and what is going on with their thinking.
@mbarryton (1872)
• United States
8 Feb 07
my BIGGEST pet peeve while driving is all those morons that have to ride your butt. i cant stand that and i even going the limit or little over. i was on my way to get my hubby the other day and this car was so close i can tell you what they were wearing, white shirts and 1 had 2 gold chains around their neck.it makes me just want to slam on my brakes get out of the car and beat the $hit out of them. i people are in such a big hurry why did they start so late.i think i need a bumper sticker that reads :"Get Off My Azz Or I'll Be All Over Yours" :)
2 people like this
@byfelisa (45)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I agree with you those truly are annoying habits some drivers have. I find it irritates me as well.
One of my pet peeves that drives me up the wall is that some people driving cut in front of you and slow down afterwards.
Another pet peeve is when people talk on the phone and have other people in the car with them and they forget to turn their signal on and just assume you know they are making a last minute turn or they back out of a driveway just in front of you and your quick responses avoids an accident.
Clearly multi-tasking while driving is a very bad habit to get into and more and more you see people doing it and it takes their focus and ability to see the big picture away from them this too is a pet peeve I can't seem to shake.
Thanks for the great topic, it is something we all face while driving on the road. Kudos to you!!
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Multi-tasking and driving are two words that should not go together. I see far too many people trying to do three or more things while driving and then wonder why people honk at them or why they have accidents.
You're welcome. I'm glad you like it.
2 people like this
@freshWiz (19)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I know what you mean. However most people have lives and things to do and can be pretty anxious. When you just wait in that spot like you have nothing to do, I can imagine their emotion. However, you are right even though personally these things do irritate me.
2 people like this
@GypsysTear (75)
• United States
16 Feb 07
Omg turn signlas!!! I mean is it REALLY so hard to use them? I've almost been hit several times b/c people try to swerve into my lane without using a turn signal... and me not knowing they want to merge I don't slow down to accomodate for them... and in the middle of the road they'll suddenly stop and not move well I'm sitting here honking my horn and then they turn! Or they suddenly slow down and I almost ram right into them b/c I don't notice the change in their speed... all they gotta do is put on a turn signal and I will stop instead of almost rear-ending them!!! GAHHHH!!!
And lane swervers... these people who cut in the last minute in traffic in a lane... no turn signal... no slow merge... nope they just jump right into ur lane and u have to hit your breaks or hit them.
And my last one... rubber neckers. People who slow down to look at an accident a serious one or not they HAVE to see what's going on which causes a huge back up in traffic. And how distasteful! Yes please let's all stop and stare at a possible horrid accident where someone is hurt and or dying... oh but let's not stop to help if it look serious and there's paramedics around.... jerks.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
25 Feb 07
Got to love the grasshoppers, the ones who jump from lane to lane, and the rubber neckers. Down here we also get the people who are over 50 but don't drive over 40. Makes for a lot of fun in a 60 mile an hour zone.
