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.
So, you don't want to play anymore? There's a sale going on for hybrids. 1-800-GO-SLOW
You are my hero. Teach me how....
"It is illegal to drive in the left lane in all states unless you are passing, period."
Is that really true? Who knows?
One the one hand we're told that the speed limit is inviolable, and on the other we're told that driving at or below the speed limit in the left hand lane is also illegal.
The traffic laws as currently stated and enforced make little if any sense. We're constantly told that "speed kills" but of course this is only true when there is a collision or someone goes off the road. Poor driving habits are a major cause of accidents, and yet you see little enforcement of the rules of the road other than the speed laws. Traffic enforcement here seems to concentrate on the letter of the law, rather than encouraging good driving. Strict adherence to speed limits and road signs and signals is expected, but nobody (not the police, anyway) seems to really care about the safety of the drivers on our roads.
I hate them too. They risk my life for no reason.
I don't tolerate them anymore. I'll speed for a few miles to get away. If I can't do that, I'll slow down to a crawl to force them to pass.
Most of the lanes aren't closed, they have a sign that says they are closed ahead. If everyone went into BOTH lanes and then gave each other courtesy to get in one after the other, the whole thing goes 3 to 4 times faster. But there is always one or two people who work their tail off to make sure no one gets in, "because those people should be as dumb as me".
I saw such a person get a ticket from a cop a few months back for trying to keep people from using that lane by weaving in and out slowly blocking the lane.
I hope he got a $100 fine.
AND yes, I will close up on the car in front of me to keep them out. They can wait forever as far as I'm concerned.
I bet that makes you feel sooo good. You fix 'em!
LOL
No problem, but if you get killed driving between cars and someone changes lanes and you are semi solid mush, your insurance should be excused from paying anything.
Not in Ca.
If you don't know when it is your turn to go on a 4-way, the cops should ticket you and take away your right to vote. ;)
http://www.shelbyamerican.com/vehicles.asp
That is like saying someone posts too many Sharpova pics.
That thing is a beauty -- I was just having a little fun.
Yea, I had to do a double take to see if you were series.
My wife says I love cars more than I love her! I told her that if she keeps it up (LOL) I'll take down the car pictures in our bedroom! /s
Driving in "no lane" between long lines of cars moving 10 mph while you are going 40 to 50 is a perfect way to thin the gene pool of imbeciles.
And when they get squished to death, the poor slob who had the bad luck to be the car that he got flattened against has nightmares for the rest of his life and lives with a guilt trip even though he did nothing wrong to cause the death of the "logically challenged".
Oh, man. That is beautiful.
I have wanted one for decades. I just haven't been able to write the check.
I saw some show about a year ago that featured a pro wrestler (I think) discussing and driving his collection of sports cars.
He was surrounded by all these muscle cars, and he pointed to the Shelby and said "This is the only car that scares me."
I must say that it scared the bejeebeders out of me the first time it happened. I got to work and was sounding off about it. One of the guys in the office who rode a Harley, asked why I was upset at this LEGAL act. I had no idea until then that it was legal to ride between lanes on a 6 lane highway. Once I was informed, I was fine with it and much more cautious before changing lanes.
I normally can't see tiny motorcycles in my side view mirror in the split second they appear there while zipping along between cars in "no lane". I look for cars or motorcycles that are actually in a lane.
We aren't talking about the slow and careful movement which is still illegal and goofy, but about the genius going 40 to 50 (even 30) on the crowded expressway.
He gets whatever happens to him and it's not the fault of people who don't see a cycle where is should not be.
Motorcycles are inherently dangerous when mixed in with cars and trucks and vans even when driving safely and legally. It's suicidal when acting like a child on amphetamines.
So, since we are asking questions,,you are one of the people I am describing? Just curious. (like you)
Was it a Mustang, or a Cobra?
When I lane split it is on the shoulder of the road 90% of the time. I leave myself plenty of escape room from less than attentive drivers.
Surprised they didn't list reading while driving (or composing a Blackberry or text message).
Which, of course, is illegal 100% of the time.
I leave myself plenty of escape room from less than attentive drivers.
I see, it would be their fault if you got killed while driving illegally. Those darn "less than attentive drivers" are a problem for reckless drivers.
It's a good plan to leave yourself an escape plan,,, and an even better plan to leave a will.
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