I honestly don’t understand how some people get their license, let alone survive the roads. It’s mindboggling, it really is. I think I can call myself a somewhat experienced driver, having traversed the shithole that is Route 76 about a million times, for two or more hours a day, for six months of an internship. I hate that road. I have seen and had so many stupid, annoying people on the road, and today was no different, even though I was only on the road for a half hour as opposed to my usual two. But people pissed me off enough that I had to let it out somewhere.
Some of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to driving:
No turn signal: really, it’s not that freakin’ hard. It’s a flick of the wrist, that’s all it takes. I promise. Just so I know that you’re PLANNING AHEAD to turn into my lane, instead of just VOILA, turning the wheel and assuming I’m going to stop. Because one day, there’s going to be two cars in a spot where there should be only one. Come on, people, I do not want to bring physics in to this. Really.
It’s called the left lane for a reason: GET OUT OF MY WAY. Look. I’m not normally a left lane driver. I’m usually fine chugging alone by my lonesome in the right/middle lane. But when I have to pass a gigantic truck that could easily crush my tiny car, I’m going to pass him and I’m gonna do it FAST. LEFT = PASSING. So please, do me a favor, and MOVE. I should not have to use the right lane to pass you. That’s just wrong.
Weaving: I’ll admit, I’m slightly guilty of myself in some situations, but only when people really piss me off in both lanes. It’s only happened a couple of times. Yet for almost every day I’ve been on the road, I’ve had a car get thisclose to me, then veer sharply into the other lane to tail another car, as if it’s going to magically move faster IN TRAFFIC. Everyone’s stuck, honey. You can be stuck with all of us. Nothing says you get to go further by bashing through several cars. In fact, you’ll probably be the cause of an accident that makes traffic back up even more. So calm the F down.
Tailgaiting: don’t do it. Seriously, don’t do it. This pisses me the hell off. If you want to go faster, DON’T GET UP ON MY ASS. MOVE OVER. There are multiple lanes FOR A REASON. I really don’t need you on my ass while I’m happily driving along and jamming to my music. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE LEFT LANE IS EFFING EMPTY. MOVE THE HELL OVER. It’s not my proudest moment, but I’ve hit the brakes a few times to give the car behind me a little warning now & then that tailgating me is a bad idea. Because if you hit me, it’s your fault. And I really hate getting pissed off enough to have to hit the brakes like that, but I’ll do it. Moreover, if we’re stuck in traffic and you’re tailgating me, what is your problem?
I just had to get that off my chest. Because it sure as hell is not the first or last time this will come up, unfortunately.
The Road to Medical School 