Annoying things drivers do | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Travel

9 Irritating Things People Do While Driving

There are certain things every driver has done at least once, and these things annoy us all.

70
9 Irritating Things People Do While Driving
Amy Mahinske

Every year, I embark on a cross-country journey of 1,207 miles by car. I drive from Grand Forks, North Dakota to North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania at least once a year. While on these trips, there are just certain things that really bother me. Some more than others, but nonetheless, I learn new driving trends each time I take the trip.

People tend to forget the rules of the road and do as they please once you get to open highway, even while still in the city. Laws or common courtesies are seemingly thrown out the window and the road becomes a free for all.

These are just a few of the things that apparently no longer matter since the last time I drove a car (which was yesterday, soooo).

1. Texting

Giphy

What on Earth is more important at this exact moment than your life? Is anything worth looking at your phone while going 75 down the interstate? I don't think so. Pull over if you need to respond to someone or feel the need to send a Snapchat. I don't understand how you think taking a selfie takes precedence over the safety of your own self and literally every other person in a vehicle on the road with you.

Driving distracted is never okay, not even to answer a text from your mom. Wait until the next time you pull off the road to take a break to stretch your legs or get to your destination before answering. Be responsible and stay focused!!!

2. Using the left lane as your travel lane

c1.staticflickr.com

Okay, last time I checked, the left lane was called the passing lane... yes? no? When did it become okay to just stay in the left lane permanently when there is no one to pass? Apparently, though, some people missed the day that memo was sent out.

I encounter so many people who love to just cruise in the left lane. Even if they have passed the cars in the right lane or the travel lane, they decide to just never get back over. Even if another car, or myself, comes up behind them going slightly faster, they still don't move over. I then have to pass in the right lane, which was meant for traveling.

So do the right thing and stay in the right lane when there's no one around to pass. Don't make people pass you on the right side. It's just common courtesy.

3. Tailgating

Giphy

Let me tell you, nothing makes me happier than when someone is riding my ass while driving. I get especially happy when someone tailgates me even though I'm already going 10 miles an hour over the speed limit. This is just not nice — don't do it. If something bad happens out of the blue, like a deer jumps onto the road or someone swerves into me, you're going to rear-end me. You don't need that stress; I don't need that stress.

Leave some space between you and the car in front of you. Be patient while the car in front of you is passing someone else, especially if they're already speeding, and as soon as they *hopefully* get back into travel lane. If worse has come to worse and they do not get back over, just do the annoying pass in the right lane. If you're already in the travel lane, just pass the other person instead of tailgating.

It's not that complicated.

4. Not using turn signals

Giphy

Did you know cars are being made without turn signals now? I had no idea, but that has to be the only reason the person who just turned without warning did what they did, right? WRONG! Use your signals. Let people know what you plan on doing with enough time to react instead of making them get whiplash from slamming on the breaks. It's just polite.

You'd be irritated if you had to stop without warning — we don't like it either. And believe it or not, you can actually get a ticket for failure to signal... not that I know that personally or anything (lol). These tickets can run upwards to $85 in some states, so save yourself and everyone else the hassle of dealing with that.

5. Leaving high beams on

Giphy

It's bad enough having to drive in the dark as is, in my opinion. You feel like you start to get tunnel vision and any light you stumble upon can feel blinding. So of course, it's great when people pass you with their high beams on or maybe someone is coming up behind you with them on, whatever the case... it's not actually great. It's easy to flick the handle and get back to regular headlights. Flip them back on as soon as you're by the oncoming car or passed the car ahead of you. This is just a courtesy. Sure, there's no law making you do this, but it's okay to be a good person every once in a while.

6. Not maintaining speed

upload.wikimedia.org

Right along with turn signals, cars are apparently no longer being equipped with cruise control as well. Okay, to be fair, not ALL cars come with this option, however, the majority do. It's a simple concept: you pick a speed and set it to cruise along at that speed without having to use the gas pedal. This is especially useful when traveling on interstates where the traffic isn't stop and go.

If you're someone who isn't comfortable with using this wonderful feature, at least be nice enough to keep your car moving at the same speed. It's not that hard to maintain your speed, just courtesies the speed gauge on the same number, and you're good to go.

People who are constantly speeding up and slowing down make it difficult for those people who are actually using cruise control or maintaining speed. By not doing so, you make it difficult to pass with ease and can really piss some people off.

7. Weaving in and out of traffic

Giphy

These people crack me up. If you're stuck in high traffic areas, the lanes are *probably* moving at about the same pace. It is unnecessary to move back and forth between lanes, trying to shoot the gaps to get ahead. If you've ever witnessed someone doing this, you've also probably realized they don't courtesies get ahead of you. You'll catch up to these people at red lights or when traffic finally starts to thin out and speed up again.

This is super dangerous to do and for what purpose? It's no one else's problem if you are impatient or in a hurry. It's not our fault you left too late to get to your big business meeting. Pick a lane and try to stay in it. Slow and steady sometimes can win the "race."

8. Not doing the speed limit

Giphy

I can understand doing a couple miles an hour under the speed limit, whatever, you do you. But once you get to 5 miles an hour, I'm going to be mildly irritated. When you hit 10 or more miles an hour under the speed limit, I'm now concerned. If you're going that much under, are you okay? Are you having a heart attack? Should you be retested to have a license? Are you elderly? Are you a student driver? Why are you going so slow?

Now I'm not saying everyone should speed, I'm simply saying, at least go the speed limit, please? Have some respect and at least do this in the travel lane or not at all if you can avoid it! You become a hazard at a certain point, especially if you're on the interstate or a road with a higher speed limit. Some roads will even post a minimum speed, and it's there for a reason — listen to it!!!

(You're a double whammy if you're going this slow and also traveling in the passing lane.)

9. Passing cops

Giphy

I hate to break it to you, but by the time you finally see the cop car, they already know how fast you were going. And if they don't, slamming on your brakes isn't going to help. That causes problems for the people following you. It also draws more attention to you. This isn't a safe thing to do, so don't. Instead, maybe try going the speed limit or just a couple miles over. You *probs* (don't quote me) won't be pulled over for like three miles per hour over the limit.

Stop doing this and own up to your driving.

Hopefully, we can relate on some of the things on this list. Everyone is guilty of doing these things sometimes, whether we realize we're doing it or not. Try to be a respectable human being and follow the common courtesies of the road. Stay off your phone, use your blinkers, and go the speed limit. It's not that hard people.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187632
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13241
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456621
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25859
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments