Posted on 07/17/2006 8:41:13 AM PDT by Smogger
Are you really a good, conscientious driver, or are your driving habits the behind-the-wheel equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard to everyone else on the road?
A recent survey of 10,000 drivers conducted by Hagerty Insurance, a company that insures collector cars, determined the 10 things that exasperate other drivers the most:
10. You're taking a carefree spin down the road when you notice that the car in front of you has its turn signal on ... and on ... and on. Five or 10 miles later, your left eye twitching, you realize the other driver is clueless to the fact their indicator is on. You have just experienced the 10th-biggest irritation, according to the drivers surveyed.
9. Ah, men. Running a little late for work, they often can be seen grooming and shaving while driving. To be certain, this is never an issue for those of us of the female persuasion. Heads up, gentlemen. Grooming while driving was ranked as the ninth-most annoying driver behavior.
8. Due to the fact that I get into deep hot water with motorcycle riders every time I write something negative about motorcycles driving in between lanes, I feel it necessary to post the following disclaimer: I did not conduct the survey. Hagerty Insurance did. That said, the survey concluded that motorcycles that split lanes are No. 8 on the list of what infuriates drivers the most.
7. If you have been told on more than one occasion that you are a good candidate for an anger-management class, you should be aware that those of you who take your rage out on the road are the seventh-most disliked drivers.
6. Do you find that reaching up and turning on that pesky turn signal is more effort than you care to expend while driving? Not bothering to use your turn signal is the sixth-most irksome thing you can do when behind the wheel.
5. If you are a driver with a superiority complex, beware. If you speed up to keep other people from changing lanes or passing you, you were ranked as the fifth-biggest irritation on the road.
4. Some drivers weave in and out of lanes for the precious advantage of arriving at their destination two minutes earlier than those silly folks who actually drive safely. Traffic weavers, you have been forewarned -- you are the fourth-most reviled drivers.
3. You look in your rear-view mirror and see another car driving within inches of your rear bumper. If you were to stop suddenly, the driver behind you would no doubt be meeting you in your front seat for lunch. The survey found that the third-most exasperating driver is the tailgater.
2. If you've got to drive slow, you better know where to go. Those who putz in the fast lane ranked as the second-biggest driving annoyance.
1. And the Big Kahuna, the No. 1 act that survey respondents said made them grind their teeth down to a pulp when they saw other drivers doing it? You guessed it -- chatting on the cell phone. Some 28.5 percent of those surveyed would like you to hang it up the next time you hit the road.
"Weirdest thing I ever saw - a guy on a highway entrance ramp, apparently steering with his knee, because he was using both hands to play a harmonica. He was alone in the car. LOL"
But was he driving safely? ;)
Driving cats are okay though.
Ahhhh...u know what I meant. :-)
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LOL....YOU are RIGHT!!!! morning slip.....sheesh!
Nope, I've seen all of that. Men don't soap up, they use electric razors.
#2 is is caused entirely (well, mostly) by those violating #3.
On a two-lane, when you look in your rear-view mirror, and see 5 to 10 cars lined up behind you, you are doing something wrong! Pull over and let us pass!!
Don't care much about cell phones. There aren't as bad as eating or doing your nails. ;)
#2 is #1 with me.
So, the posted speed limit does not apply to all lanes of traffic? Uh huh.
If you are gong exactly the speed limit in the left lane YOU are breaking the law, and being a ass, who thinks the world revolves around him.
Unless I am in a hurry and speeding, I leave the left lane to the speed freaks who willfully endanger the lives of others and who think the world revolves around them.
I have come to the conclusion that the roads here in Hampton Roads, VA are full of dehydrated idiots. If you add water, be it gaseous (fog), liquid (rain), or solid (snow, sleet, ice) all the idiots appear. People either drive like nothing is wrong (i.e. NASCAR on steroids mode) or slow down into Granny scratching her nose on the steering wheel speed when any precipitation is present.
And a notice for tailgators.....the closer you get, the slower I go.
There was a lady here 3 or 4 years ago that was killed when she pulled out in front of train. Yep, she was chatting on her cell phone.
That's mine too - especially when they pull out in front of you only to turn left a few hundred yards down the street - grrrrr !
In their defense, it's almost impossible to turn the wheel any further than that when you have your shaver in one hand, your cellphone in the other, and you're steering with your knee.
How about the guy who speeds up on the interstate just as you begin to pass him? ARGH!
Nothing is more frustrating than planning a trip across town and giving yourself an extra 15 minutes in order to not be late to your destination only to have some halfwit that doesn't give a rat's rear about you or your valuable time boxing you in or in some other way working his/her tail off to keep you in your place: BEHIND him/her.
Honestly... I believe that I can understand rode rage in cases like that. And the kicker? According to the law if you are one of those that gets frustrated with one of these boorish, discourteous, unceremonious a**h**es then you are the one that is the criminal.
Of course this is my opinion only and is not meant to reflect the viewpoints of or to be an endorsement by Free Republic.
What is it about the phrase "Keep Right Except to Pass" that so many drivers cannot comprehend?
"There are entirely too many police manning speed traps and giving out tickets."
What in your mind constitutes a speed trap?
A woman I commute with considers any radar a "speed trap." Doesn't matter that every ticket she's ever gotten has been for going more than 10 mph above the speeed limit and most are for more than 15 mph above.
The only time I turn my cell phone on is when I need to use it, and it's never in a public place. I hate people who leave their cell phones on in restaurants, museums, etc. If I'm out driving and need to use the phone, I pull over to the side of the road, turn on the phone and dial the number, or I make the call when I'm sitting in a parking lot. There's no way I can make a call while driving and feel I'm in control of my car at all times. There's voice recognition on my phone, but half the time the stupid thing doesn't understand whose number you want dialed, so I end up having to do it manually. Besides, in New York State, there's a ban on driving while talking on the phone. I get totally ticked when I see someone talking on their phone while they're supposed to be paying attention to the road ahead.
Ever notice how the courtesy and quality of drivers on interstates changes with the seasons?
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