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.
Ah, so an insult is all you have to justify breaking traffic laws? You want to have it both ways - be treated like an auto but act like something less when it suits you. But don't worry, my wife is a former biker, and she saw plenty of folks do what you are promoting, and those folks were much mor prone to get killed off.
"I try to stay off the interstate when I've got the boat behind me.
"
I'd like to be able to do that, but there are interstates everywhere around the Twin Cities, and the lakes all seem to be near them. Still, when I can, I use surface roads. It takes me longer to get where I'm going, but it's sure a lot easier. I hate to get to the lake and be in a bad mood. I'd rather get there slower and have a good day of fishing.
Now, don't get me started on the yahoos at the launch ramp. I could go on for days...[grin]
Does not allow you to ignore traffic laws. If you want to ride on the road, act like a car.
Because you're apparently one of those types who think lanes don't apply to them. You're a hazard, and what you do affects me.
My pet peeve is when drivers behind me want me to do the same even on surface streets. The speed limit is 45, I'm usually going 50, and some fool is always on my tail pushing me to go 60-70. Hey idiots, if you want to drive 70 mph, get off the surface streets which have red lights, pedestrians, and turning traffic in both lanes every few yards, and get on the highways where you belong. That is what they are there for. If you are always running late, leave earlier.
If you find yourself in situation number 3, you are probably engaged in the problem described in number 2.
:D
If it's legal, it's legal, but it should not be. It's very dangerous for all involved.
"Does not allow you to ignore traffic laws. If you want to ride on the road, act like a car."
Well, in some states lane-splitting is legal. I think it's stupid, and never did it when I was on two wheels. There may always be some cretin like some who have posted here who think it's amusing to edge into the gap or open a door.
I couldn't see the benefit of it, compared to the risk. What I often did, though, was to use surface streets on the bike during rush hours. That seemed to solve most of the problem.
California is the only state where it is legal.
"If you attempt to leave a safe distance between you and the car ahead, someone else will instantly fill the space..."
I did not know that. I haven't owned a bike for a few years, so I don't keep up with the laws. I still never did it in California. I thought it was a good way to eat pavement, so I skipped the lane splitting.
Mine is similar to #2. People who drive less than the speed limit on 2 lane highways. If you are going 65 I'm fine, if you are going 64.5 I'm behind you flipping out.
And, quite frankly, it's rude - it's basically cutting in line in front of others waiting their turn in traffic. But certain types only think of themselves.
How about idiots who enter intersections with nowhere to go? Thus making it impossible for vehicles on the cross street to go anywhere when they get the green. I spent a half hour trying to get through one intersection in Vancouver, BC, because of idiots like that. Maybe that is where you need a no right turn on red rule, because otherwise people feel that all the spots on the other side of the intersection will get taken by people turning right from the cross street.
and for those who drive UNDER the limit---pull over and let someone pass
I'm REALLY surprised that "rubber neckers" wasn't on that list. That is MY biggest pet peave when driving, among the others that were mentioned on the list, I absolutely hate it when traffic comes to a dead stop because of looky lou's who just HAVE to slow down and look at the car on the side of the road with the flat tire. Jeesh. SO annoying.
The government always needs another enabler.
Thank you. I was going to say the same thing. Slow indecisive drivers scare me the worst.
BTW, in my line of work, I communicate constantly with others in seminars, meetings, consultations, etc. in very large buildings with many offices. That is the only reason I ever want to use a cell phone. For WORK.
Do you yak in the movies, at the opera, and in Church?
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