There are 15 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #9 by Helium's members.
Probably because I know it can be so dangerous, because I know there is no excuse AND because when I am driving I have more time to think about it, driving pet peeves are more apt to get my blood-pressure rising faster than any other issues.
But I will limit myself to the top five - and I will concentrate on American drivers, because from as far as I can see (having driven on two continents), they are among the worst drivers in the world:
EXCESSIVE SPEEDING
I'm not talking about a couple of miles over the posted limit - I'm talking about a blatant 10 or 20 miles per hour or more. I'm talking about the drivers that are whizzing past the other vehicles as if they were standing still, especially in heavy traffic.
DANGEROUS EXPRESSWAY LANE CHANGES
There are two categories: "undertaking" and weaving. Undertaking starts with people that are traveling slower than the rest of traffic in a middle lane, but it ends with some VIP passing at a high rate of speed on the right - the blindside of the car being passed.
Weaving, as the name implies, is excessive lane changes in an attempt to move just that much faster than the rest of the traffic. It's one thing on a clear road, it's another in heavy commuting or weekend traffic - especially when you are pulling your ATV or snowmobile trailer.
TAILGATING
For some reason, drivers seem to think that if they ride someone's bumper, the slower vehicle will speed up or get out of the way. Not only is this illogical, tailgating is incredibly dangerous - one source estimates that 40% of accidents are caused by following too closely.
(Interestingly, my first Google of "tailgating" resulted in a list of tips for tailgate parties - in my circle of friends, a major source of drinking and driving!)
SIGNALING ISSUES
Leaving the signal on, signaling too soon or too late, or not signaling long enough are all typical problems. It's frustrating to wait for an approaching car before you turn out onto the street, only to discover the car was turning anyway. It's dangerous to assume someone is turning because they are signaling, foolishly pulling out into the path of a car that is carrying on. The worst signaling offense is not signaling a lane change on a busy expressway, especially when you are "weaving".
DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED
Last but not least. And by impaired I don't just mean beer or gin and tonic. Prescription drugs can be a problem too, as well as trying to drive without sufficient sleep. Driving
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Driving: Pet peeves and solutions
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