On the street

Driving pet peeves

I admit, I’m not a perfect driver. Actually, after talking with people at the Center Point Travel Plaza, I’m probably the cause of some peoples’ headaches.

But while I can acknowledge some of my own driving shortcomings -- I sometimes drive too fast, occasionally get too close and every now and then forget to dim my lights -- I could definitely relate to a lot of what these drivers were talking about when I asked them to name some of their pet peeves on the highways.

People who don’t use turn signals. Yep, they bother me, too. Drivers who pass only to slow down once they’re in front of me. Oh, yeah, those people really get to me. People who talk on their cell phones while driving. Uh-oh. They got me there.

I do talk on the phone while driving. Not a lot, but more than I know I should. What I don't do, though, is talk on the phone, adjust my stereo (because it's turned down so I can hear conversation), eat, apply makeup and drive all at the same time. Laugh if you will, but you know you've seen that person out there.

What truly annoys me are things that common courtesy would prevent. If you're approaching an off-ramp and there's a car trying to merge into traffic, and you have an open lane, let them merge. There is no checkered flag, no trophy and no cash prize if you keep other vehicles from getting onto the highway.

If you feel you really must pass me, please don't slow to a speed less than mine once you get in front of me. If you're going fast enough to be so close I can't see your license plate when you're behind me, don't force me to pull over for you just so you can slow down once I move. On the flip side, if you're driving slow enough in the fast lane that I'm getting too close to you, please pull to the slow lane and let me pass. You are not "teaching me a lesson" by making me and everyone behind me slow down.

And, as one driver in Center Point mentioned, if there's an emergency vehicle of any kind coming up behind you or approaching you with flashing lights, pull over. It's not only common courtesy, it's the law. If that vehicle were coming to the aid of your family, you wouldn't want them slowed down by a driver who couldn't be bothered.

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