I don't know about you, but I feel immense anxiety every time I even think about having to drive anywhere for any reason. I'm a good driver. I have (somehow) never been in an actual accident, and I thank my hyper-vigilance for that. I know there's some idiom out there that goes something like, "I know I'm not a bad driver, but everyone else..." or something. But with how bad drivers in Denver have gotten over the last few years, the struggle is real. I've always had a little voice in the back of my head that expresses worry every time I drive, but over the last few years, it feels like my body goes into fight-or-flight mode every time I get into my car.

And I know public transportation exists, but I have my own negative experiences in that department, so sometimes I feel I have no other choice but to suck it up, put on my big girl pants and face my fears.

All drivers at some point voice complaints about other drivers. It comes up in a lot of small-talk conversations, and is simply accepted as a fact of life. And it probably is. But just in case there is any chance whatsoever that anyone reading this is a bad driver that may not realize that what they've made a habit is just so totally wrong, I feel I must make some important--and constructive--suggestions.

Here are a few of the worst violations that too many drivers commit:

1. Not signaling

Sometimes when I'm driving down the highway, I realize I need to exit at the next off-ramp. There are several cars to my right, with seemingly no gaps in sight. I ponder to myself, "If only there were some sort of way to let these people know that I would also like to be in that lane–that my need to get over is fairly urgent. Maybe if I could do that, they would kindly let me in."

Well, folks. It just so happens that there is a way to let people know about your intent to switch lanes, and the answer to your dilemma sits literally two inches away from your fingertips.

It is really not that difficult. Flick the switch. Get over. Flick the switch off. End of story.

Of course, there is the issue of drivers who see a signal and speed up to prevent people from getting over. I don't have any recommendations for those folks, other than to simmer down the "me first" mentality and remember that you aren't the only person in the world who exists and has needs.

2. Not understanding how to merge

This douchebag move comes in more than one form. It can be people waiting until the last possible second before a lane ends to get over, or people not having the patience to wait until the merging portion of their lane actually begins and cutting across solid lines to cut off traffic.

Either way, it's shitty and obnoxious and I hate everyone who does it.

3. Not staying in your lane

I know when people have quirky personalities, the phrase "they just color outside the lines" comes out of spectators' mouths.

But people who don't understand the concept of lanes are the same people who literally don't understand that the lines are there for a reason–to keep things contained and, when driving, to prevent people from murdering one another with two-ton death machines.

I also assume every person who swerves in and out of their lane is drunk, and I'll talk about that a little later.

4. Driving/passing on the shoulder

I have no qualms with saying that there is a special place in hell for people who feel so entitled to drive on the shoulder. It's a "lane" that is meant for emergency vehicles exclusively.

I'm so sorry you're stuck in traffic with the rest of us, but there is nothing going on in your life that makes your urgency to get home any more important than anyone else's, nor is there any excuse to risk the lives of others to save a few minutes on your commute.

Kindly get over yourself.

5. Driving with your dog in your lap

While I know the danger of this situation, I have often seen a driver with a dog in their lap and cooed over how cute it is. But that's because I just love dogs.

The truth of the matter is there are so many things that can go wrong in this situation.

The first thing that's apparent is that the dog might wiggle around and distract the person driving enough to cause an accident.

The second thing is that your dog isn't strapped in, and should you get in an accident and your airbag deploys, your dog will either be crushed to death, be smashed into your face, causing you physical harm beyond a normal accident, or be flung into the backseat--the force of which would likely kill it.

So, despite how cute you might think it is, if your dog is really your best friend, you should take better care of it.

6. Motorcyclists

The title of this list item is misleading. I don't have a problem with motorcyclists in general.

What I have a problem with is all of the "look twice, save a life" types of PSAs that are out there and meant to make car/truck drivers more aware of their surroundings so they don't hit and kill a motorcyclists when there are way too many motorcyclists who don't care to protect themselves.

Lane splitting and driving without a helmet are two things I see too often.

While lane splitting is legal for some reason in many states, it is just an inherently bad idea. Motorcyclists who fly through traffic run the risk of slamming into someone who is switching lanes.

Riding without a helmet is...just...insane? Is that the word I'm looking for? If you can wear a hunk of plastic that dramatically reduces your risk of dying while riding, why would you not do that?

7. Texting and driving

I don't know what to say on this subject that hasn't already been said.

Once upon a time when flip phones with buttons existed, I was guilty of texting and driving once or twice. My justification was that when t9 texting was a thing, I was actually capable of typing out a message without looking at my phone. This was stupid. But what is worse is the fact that it is literally impossible to text on a smartphone without looking at the screen. I even had a friend refuse to get a smartphone for a long time after they became common because it would make it harder for him to text and drive.

Just don't do it. Your text can wait.

I think this guy puts it best.

8. Impaired driving in general

We all know drinking and driving is bad. My personal opinion is that it's among the most selfish things a person can do. And in Colorado, they only just recently made it so four (FOUR) DUIs would result in felony charges.

As someone who has lost friends to the selfishness of impaired drivers, I don't think this should come with a second chance. Drinking and driving shows a complete lack of common sense, human decency, or compassion for others. That kind of behavior shouldn't allow for another shot to do the same thing later, and potentially kill someone the next time around.

And while I did vote for the legalization of marijuana, the mentality of some folks who partake of the devil's lettuce is so childish it's insane.

You know those friends who try to claim they are better drivers when they're intoxicated because they're more aware of potential lurking officers? People who smoke and drive almost all seem to have that mentality. I don't think weed is a harmful substance, but I do think (know for a fact) that it slows reaction times. And when you're driving, just a split second of a delayed reaction is enough to have devastating consequences. So please, think of others and stop thinking so much about yourself.