Top 10 Driving Pet Peeves

So, you’re driving down the highway going 40 in a 35. One of your favorite songs starts playing on the radio.

“Aw yeah! Despacito! That’s my jam!”

Suddenly, an old beat up truck pulls out in front of you, causing you to slam on your brakes. Your hot coffee splashes onto your lap. Your work papers fly into your floorboard. Your crotch is now on fire and it looks like you’ve soiled yourself.

“M@#%&* F#!~%!”

Below is a list of the top 10 gripes among American drivers according to Consumer Reports. Their nuisance level is on a scale of 1-10.

1. Texting While Driving (Nuisance level: 8.9)

This seemingly innocent act can have detrimental repercussions. If you text while driving, you’re 6 times more likely to get in an accident than drunk driving. Taking your eyes off the road for just 3 seconds is like traveling the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

Aside from being incredibly dangerous, texting while driving is also illegal. Only 2 U.S. states don’t have texting bans – Montana and Arizona. All other states will issue a citation if you’re caught texting while driving.

Texting while walking is a growing concern, too. Read our article on Distracted Walking.

2. Illegal Parking in Handicapped Spaces (Nuisance level: 8.7)

Illegally parking in handicapped spaces can come with very serious consequences. Fines can range from $100 to $1,000. Repeat offenders could possibly have their license revoked – permanently.

If you are an able-bodied person that comes across a disabled parking spot, leave it open for someone who needs it.
 

Running late for work does not make you temporarily handicapped.

3. Tailgating (Nuisance level: 8.4)

Tailgating is when you drive too close to the vehicle in front of you. It’s perilous and illegal. If you’re tailgating, you could cause a rear end collision with the car in front of you.

TIP: A simple way to prevent yourself from tailgating is to distance yourself away from the car in front of you AT LEAST one car length per every 10 mph you’re driving. For example, if you’re going 30 mph, you should drive at least 3 car lengths between your car and the one in front of you.

4. Cutting People Off (Nuisance level: 8.3)

Being cut off is when someone pulls out in front of you at a closer distance than you’re comfortable with. This can cause you to brake in order to avoid a collision – especially if the person doesn’t signal or warn you of their intentions.

Regardless, most rear-end collisions are the fault of the person doing the rear-ending; but, if a collision does occur, and you feel it was the fault of the person who pulled out in front of you, you can always sue and let the judge decide.

5. Speeding In and Out of Traffic (Nuisance level: 8.2)

Speeding kills about as many people each year as drunk driving. About 10,000 fatal crashes each year involve speeding.

Robert Sumwalt from the NTSB says, “In a crash that’s speeding-related, you’re more likely to be injured, your injuries are more likely to be severe, and you’re more likely to die. And that’s true whether you’re the speeding driver, another driver, a passenger, a bicyclist or a pedestrian.”
 

“Meow, do you know how fast you were going?”

6. Taking Up Two Parking Spaces (Nuisance level: 7.7)

Taking up two parking spaces has been referred to as the “worst parking sin.” As many as 3 to 5 percent of drivers take up more than one space by parking outside the lines.

This may be infuriating at times, but it’s not necessarily illegal. For example, Grand Rapids, Michigan will issue a $20 citation for the offense, while Prince George’s County, Maryland has no law against “straddling a line on the pavement.”

7. Not Allowing to Merge (Nuisance level: 7.6)

Failing to let someone merge is viewed as a slap in the face to some people. However, it’s not illegal. If you’re trying to merge onto a freeway, the drivers on the freeway have no obligation to make your life easier. The responsibility to safely merge into traffic from an on-ramp lies with the driver of the merging vehicle.

8. Not Dimming High Beams (Nuisance level: 7.6)

Traffic death rates are up to 3 times greater at night than during the day. It is a good idea to use your high beams when driving in rural areas at night. However, you must dim your high beams at least 500 ft from any oncoming vehicle so you don’t blind them.
 

“Thanks, pal. Your brights just burned my corneas.”

9. Not Using Turn Signals (Nuisance level: 7.5)

All cars are equipped with turn signals. They’re not optional. Using a turn signal is required by law. If you’re turning right or left or changing lanes, you should use your turn signal for at least 100 feet prior to turning or changing lanes.

When turning, DO NOT apply your brakes before signaling. Use your signal first, then brake.

10. Driving Slow in the Passing Lane (Nuisance level: 7.3)

The left lane is reserved for passing. Driving slow in the left lane is illegal. If you’re in the left lane and someone passes you on the right, you are in the wrong lane and need to move over.

TIP: If you’re wanting to pass a slow motorist that’s in the passing lane, one strategy is to signal a lane change toward the center median. Another strategy is to flash your headlights. Whatever you do, don’t ride their bumper; it’s dangerous and illegal (See #3: Tailgating).

Join NAPT for the 43rd Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, November 4th – 7th

Jia Jiang came to the United States with the dream of being the next Bill Gates. But despite early success in the corporate world, his first attempt to pursue his entrepreneurial dream ended in rejection. Jia was crushed, and spiraled into a period of deep self doubt. But he realized that his fear of rejection was a bigger obstacle than any single rejection would ever be, and he needed to find a way to cope with being told no without letting it destroy him. Thus was born his “100 days of rejection” experiment, during which he willfully sought rejection on a daily basis–from requesting a lesson in sales from a car salesman (no) to asking a flight attendant if he could make an announcement on the loud speaker (yes) to his famous request to get Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the shape of Olympic rings (yes, with a viral video to prove it).

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STS is a FL Resource for Training

With an active and destructive Hurricane Season behind us, it’s important to focus on rebuilding and getting things back to normal.

STS is proud to be a resource for school bus driver and school employee training in FL.

We have online options for inservice and professional development training that builds skills and employee confidence.

Consider This: Our online training has been used as a basis for pay during school closures because we can accurately and easily show that employees are working a predetermined amount of time.

If you would like more information or can help in any way, please let us know.

Join NAPT for the 43rd Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, November 4th – 7th

Sports Illustrated has acknowledged Roger Crawford as “one of the most accomplished physically challenged athletes in the world.” In recognition of his extraordinary athletic achievements, he was the recipient of the prestigious ITA Achievement Award, presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

After realizing tremendous success on Center Court, as a Division 1 athlete he took his talents to Center Stage and became a motivational speaker. Roger positively influences audiences worldwide, eloquently sharing the principles he has lived—adaptability, possibility thinking, and eliminating self-imposed obstacles. His remarkable life story is a powerful example that “Challenges are inevitable, defeat is optional!”

Roger Crawford is one of MANY keynote speakers, thought leaders, and industry experts that are participating at this year’s conference.

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Join NAPT for the 43rd Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, November 4th – 7th

Members of NAPT are eligible to take as many of the Professional Development Series (PDS) courses offered at the Summit as can fit into your schedule (pending availability). Courses are free of charge to members registered for the Summit! Professional Development Series Courses count towards various levels of NAPT Certification.

In addition to the vast array of training courses and inspiring general sessions, the conference features in-depth workshops with diverse topics and engaging speakers.

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