I think most Cars for Girls readers will agree when I say it’s easy to get distracted when we’re behind the wheel.  A ringing cell phone, a crying baby, trying to find a good radio station, changing a CD all these things can contribute to vehicle accidents.  According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), results from a study performed last year concluded that over 40 percent of accidents were due to inattention at the wheel – among these included daydreaming, unknown general distractions inside the vehicle and just basically not paying attention.  Other factors contributing to vehicle crashes were crossing or drifting over the center line and aggressive driving behaviors. 

Ahem.    

I’m a defensive driver.  When I get behind the wheel, my attention is focused much less on what I’m actually doing and more on what other motorists are doing.  In fact, I should have a bumper sticker that proclaims, I’m Watching You! simply because, well, I am and there are many drivers on the road who, just like me, are witness to some of the craziest, rudest, dumbest, most asinine things on the road and wonder (sometimes out loud) just exactly where people really learned to drive.  I’m often amazed at the risks some motorists will take or the complete lack of roadway etiquette I see and on a frequent basis, too. 

We all have our pet peeves and I’m no different. Below are some things that drive me right around the bend to Crazyville:

1. Pull Out In Front of Me, I Dare You

I know for a fact that you can see me, especially when I’m less than 50 feet away and yet, you still insist on pulling out in front of me anyway.  What gives?  I know your game; you’re betting I’ll stop and you’re right, I will – but rest assured there will come a day when I’ll decide to plow right into you – just to teach you a lesson.  You have been warned.

2. Road Phantoms

Why are you braking every 10 yards? What do you possibly see that I don’t see?  Did you nod off and just wake up, realizing you were behind the wheel?  Are you talking on the cell phone again, braking every time the person on the other end says, Stop! I’ve got to tell you what happened! or No wait…Stop!  Did you see The Office last night?!  Whatever the reason, you’ve been randomly stopping and/or slowing to a snails’ pace for the last 10 miles or so.  Please pull off to the side of the road or move into the slow lane so I and the other twenty drivers behind me can drive the speed limit. 

3. Blinded by the Light

What’s the deal with the high beams in town in full traffic?  You are seriously blinding me (and other motorists) by continuing to drive with your high beams on.  When someone flashes their high beams at you in response, it means, ”Please, for the love of all other motorists coming towards you, have some mercy and cut the brights!”   Thank You. 

4. Please Learn to Merge

Merging is easy and no special skills are required.  Merging doesn’t mean the same thing as say, stop, for instance.  Merging also doesn’t mean trying to achieve ramp speed either.  Merge simply means reaching a nice steady speed from the ramp right into traffic.  Your mission should you decide to take it is to go with the flow here literally. Simply look over your shoulder as you accelerate effortlessly into traffic, all the while realizing that other motorists have the right of way. If you’re not up to it, it might be best for you to take the long way home.

Now that you know some of my pet peeves, it’s your turn: What drives you crazy?

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