Driving Me Crazy

I think everyone has a list of pet peeves, and of course this is a place to vent mine.  I drive a fair amount, and there are things other drivers do that annoy me.  I've done some of them myself, and done other dumb things, so I'm not excusing myself.  But boy, there seem to be a lot of people out there who don't know, or care about, the basic rules of the road.

So.  Let's start with turn signal use.  I think most cars come standard with turn signals nowadays. I'd like to see more people figure out how to use them... Maybe they just need to study the manual a bit.  Once they figure out how to actually turn them on and off, they can then study their state's driving manual to figure out when to use them.  I see people who don't use them at all, who use them after they've already started their turn or changed lanes, who leave them on for miles (often until they make a turn in the other direction...)

Found this quote at a garage's website: "THE TURN SIGNAL IS NOT THE REMOTE CONTROL FOR THE STEERING WHEEL, USE IT BEFORE YOU CHANGE LANES."

I think most modern cars come with speedometers, too.  But people seem content to just go whatever speed they feel like, not keeping it constant.  I'll go a steady 70 on the highway, pass someone, then have them roar past me, then pass them again... It's amusing, but pointless.  Maybe their cruise control is acting up?  I don't have that luxury (I know, it's an essential nowadays, along with power windows and locks, remote keys, heated seats...) I can still hold a constant speed, with my foot.  I was taught that in driver's ed, with particular emphasis on maintaining speed up and down hills.

On to more complex car operation: If you don't have a specific purpose for being in the left lane, please move over.  In Ohio, at least, that's the passing lane, and should only be used for that.  Whether you're going below, at, or over the speed limit, if you're not passing someone (or letting someone merge, or giving a police officer room etc.,) stay out of it.  As a corollary, if I'm in the fast lane I am passing ( or letting someone merge, etc.)  I will get over when I can.  Riding my ass when I don't have any way to move over is a good way to find out if my brakes work.

Merging is another thing people don't seem to understand.  If you're entering a highway, it's your responsibility to merge- and yield, if necessary.  Traffic on the road should get over if they can, but if they can't... Like the dick in the Firebird the other day, who almost shoved me into the SUV to my left.  He just pushed over, no signal, heavy traffic, forcing me to slam on the brakes (at 60mph.)  Then when I honked, he yelled and flipped me the bird for half a mile.

Is there some reason so many people leave their cars idling so long?  Maybe it's just around here; I see it at work all the time, and in other parking lots.  If you sit in your car, idling, for more than a minute, in good weather, I don't ever want to hear you complain about the price of gas.  You can obviously afford to waste it.  And in doing so, you're driving up the cost for yourself and the rest of us.  And if the cost of gas truly bothers you so much that you have to complain about it every day, then get a higher mileage car, combine errands, carpool, whatever.  Cut your own costs, it's not hard.  And it's better for the country too.

Enough for now. Wow, I sound more polite on here than I do in my car, muttering and yelling oscenities at other drivers.  I know people make mistakes- I make plenty- so I try to allow for that.  I don't get upset unless someone does one of these things, or one of each, several times.  Three strikes, though, and you're out.  Or if you combine several into one massive idiot move, like cutting across several lanes without a turn signal because you need to be somewhere and don't give a damn about anyone else on the road, or in the world, causing a wreck, and then fleeing the scene. If you run me or someone I love off the road, I'll be looking for you.  Heck, if I see you do something like that to any random person, I'll do my best to arrange a meeting between you and the local constabulary, for the common good.