Precision driving: Pathetic driving peevishly persists

Drivers from Spokane to Schenectady, N.Y., are irritating one another with their irksome driving habits. People find little wrong with their own driving, but see plenty wrong with others’ actions. Based upon mail I receive, our Inland Northwest pet peeves closely mirror those that I find on lists from around the nation.

It’s been over a year since I last wrote about this topic, and along with the old favorites, readers are reporting some new aggravations. I will also admit that most of these driving peeves get under my skin even more than one bad wheel on a grocery cart, or misaligned tines on restaurant forks.

Newly Reported Peeves

The most frequent new entry should be no surprise — drivers on cell phones. I have previously reported that driving while gabbing has officially made it to the top of the list of driver distractions. Now, however, it is at the top of most pet peeve listings, too! A year ago, it had just made it to the middle of the distraction list, and wasn’t even on our pet peeve list. I’m sure many accidents have been caused during its meteoric rise to the top.

There is no question that conversing while driving makes you a lesser driver. Most of the time that lower ability may be only peevish to other drivers, but in an emergency, it could be deadly. One is better off fully alert for that potential emergency situation.

I just read in the paper that 75 million Americans now have cell phones — beware.

Littering is another new addition to our local pet peeve listing. I’m not sure why it wasn’t reported prior to this, since it’s been a problem for decades. Please store trash in your vehicle until you can properly dispose of it.

Improperly aimed headlights get the goat of drivers like S.A. Failure to dim has been on the list before, but S.A. thinks he is seeing more and more beams beaming where they shouldn’t. If you suspect your lights are askew, get them checked for the sanity of S.A. and others.

The last item new to our list is booming bass. You know, the thump, thump, thump that you can feel as well as hear. If you hate it, just know that you are not alone.

Old Standbys

Besides drivers on cell phones, three perennial peeves surface over and over: slow and/or continuous left-lane travel, tailgating, and no signal use.

The left-lane peeve is so universal that it makes me wonder who is left to do it. Evidently there is a small group that does it, and a huge group that gripes about it. Please stay right except to pass, make a left turn, or allow a merge from the right.

Tailgating seems annoying to just about everyone, however there are still plenty who follow way too closely. Some of these drivers will eventually be faced with a rear-end collision, for which they will be at fault — too bad it’s at the expense of our damaged cars, necks, and insurance rates.

I have never understood why someone won’t use signals — apparently they just feel that the rules of the road don’t apply to them.

Also-rans

Other peeves have been asserted with less fervor, but still raise ire among motorists, according to my mail.

The converse of no signal use is equally bad to J.H. — leaving turn signals on for miles and miles, “to a point where using them becomes meaningless.”

Then there’s the driving flaw that H.L. points out — drivers honking at you when they are at fault.

And let’s not forget driving slow on entrance ramps, inconsistent speed, failing to take free turns, stopping in roadway, improper parking, improper turns, driving in blind spot, and blocking intersections.

One of Mine

Since parking is part of driving, I hate it when drivers or passengers throw their doors wide open without checking for obstacles, like my car. It seems like people should be smart enough to look before they damage, but you can’t take anything for granted. A certain windshield reflector/shade manufacturer knew this when they put the warning on their product, “Remove before driving.”

If your driving habits include any of the above faults, please admit it, and change. These habits are not only peevish, but also dangerous. Each one has demonstrated its ability to raise anger, and even trigger road-rage — in addition, they cause accidents.

Needing to vent? Send me your peeves and annoying driving experiences — you might feel better.