MOST ANNOYING MOTORING HABITS
Posted by: BLT on 14 November 2003
Top 10 Most Annoying Motoring Habits - These are the things that other people on the road do that really bug me.
1. Driving with Foglights on when there is perfect visibility - The rear foglight thing is bad enough, (most people simply forget to turn them off after driving through fog), but there appears to be a trend for driving around with the front foglights on all of the time, perhaps people are unaware that using front foglights in non-foggy conditions is illegal?
2. People who indicate right when they are going straight on at roundabouts - Where the hell does this come from? Is there a secret driving school that teaches its pupils to do this? Most driving sins are understandable as they are generally sins of ommission, but this is one where the perpetrator actually performs an extra, unwarranted, action.
3. People who don't bother to indicate left at roundabouts - this one bugs me especially when I am driving the service barge with the rally car behind it, I come up to a roundabout and stop because a car is apparently about to go straight on, the car then pulls off to the left and I have brought 4 tonnes of vehicle to a halt because another driver was too lazy to move his left hand 4 inches.
4. People who will not return to the inside lane on motorways/dual carriageways - Again this is more of a problem when I am towing, as I am not allowed in the outer lane on 3 lane motorways. I have on occasion come across drivers who will not move from the middle lane, in these circumstances I have to break the law in order to pass them. Usually one finds that they are turning right 274 miles down the road and thought that they had better get in their lane nice and early.
5. One-Speed-Suits-All-Driving-Conditions drivers - you know the type, they crawl along a perfectly good A-class road at 45mph then come to a busy town and continue at 45mph right the way through.
6. People who park in "No Parking" areas in order to save walking 30 yards - I frequently have trouble manouvering my truck in car parks because of these gits, my proposal, rather than wheelclamps etc, is to wipe dogsh*t on their door handles. I have suggested this at work in order to curb the illegal parking that goes on here, but for some reason my employer has yet to adopt it as official policy.
7. People who come to a halt at roundabouts/junction when there is absolutely no need to do so.
8. People who accelerate when I am passing them - this is more of a problem when you own a "low status" or small car. When I owned a Skoda, other drivers would go berserk at the thought that they were being overtaken - I had much the same problem with my Smart Car.
9. People who stop to let one car out of a junction but bring the 15 cars behind them to a halt - there is always a bit of judgement required in these sorts of situations, unfortunately a very high percentage of drivers apparently have no judgement whatsoever.
10. People who throw litter and cigarette ends out of their cars as they drive along - Antisocial areseholes! Can be dangerous, too - I have driven cars that leaked fuel on occasion, adding a lit cigarette end to that situation could prove more than interesting.
Ah well, rant over, I'm glad I got that off my chest. I reckon that we really should look at forcing people to re-take their driving tests every 5 years.
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
Twats that have a foot on the brake just a teeeeny bit, so the brake lights come on but no noticeable slowing down; and then whack the brakes on so they come to a dead stop.
People - and it really is generally women - who are waiting to turn right from a main road, but do not pull over sufficiently to let people pass.
People who think there is a BMW lane.
On the Yellow Brick Road and happy
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by andy c
And yet if you criticise any driver they get mighty offended and think they are the answer to Olivie Panis!
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by monkfish
Hi
In this thread we have had people complaining of smokers in cars , also mobile phone users.
What I don't understand is the fact that using a mobile phone while driving is an offence as is drinking or eating anything and as for smoking, which limits your dexterity the same way as any other activity using your hands does is not. There are even cigarette lighters provided in every car for god's sake. I'm baffled.
Regards
Jim
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by Rasher
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by Geoff P
Inept drivers who are so hopeless at gear changes and pulling away that they go beserk to get out of a side turning in front of you without actually having to do either of the above.
Once out they chug away at about 20 mph completely oblivious to the emergency stop you have just done behind them and the fact that you are praying the bloke behind you can stop in time aswell.
A prime example of the famous phrase "I have never been an accident!! but I have seen hundreds"
Over here in the Netherlands we suffer from all the listed problems
PLUS
The ultimate cyclist!. Over here the rule is "for god sake don't hit a cyclist because they are ALWAYS in the right regardless of the situation". What this means is since they know this rule they constantly test it.
Especially older women out shopping and young kids going to school. Both ride around in groups occupying at least 50% of the road width, and swing out into the road in front of you as a matter of course.
It is even worse in summer in my area which is famous as holiday biking territory. It is not unusual to find a group of retirees lurching all over the road as they approach because they are busy reading the maps they have taped to their handlebars. Bugger the traffic going in the right direction is all important.
We also suffer from the "bike racing" teams complete with tight pants and colored tops powering down narrow country roads with the attitude that the two mile traffic jam behind is enjoying their efforts. It is especially bad around the time when the Tour de France is on, it seems to bring them out in droves.
GEOFFP
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by ErikL
I need to vent. Having learned to drive in New York (not the city), I've always been accustomed to sound, defensive driving with an aggressive flair, and an ability to drive in adverse weather conditions.
Then I moved to Seattle. People here cannot drive. The worst habits:
1. Passive-aggressive behavior entering a highway via the on-ramp. There's no flow to the traffic, as insted of accelerating to highway speed, many people slow down to merge and then get pissed if you don't come to a near stop to allow them in. I do not like this.
2. The complete inability to drive in snow. A dusting of snow, and all the yuppies are sliding around in their AWD Mercedes and BMW SUV's, driving the same speed as in dry conditions as though there's a direct relationship between price paid for AWD and the degree of exclusion from the laws of physics. I do not like this either.
3. The most annoying habit is the lack of understanding pertaining to the different lanes on a highway. All too often, all lanes have cars going the same speed, typically below the speed limit. Even when this problem isn't present, there are drivers in the "fast" lane adhering to the speed limit, which is just plain ridiculous. There is no concept of a fast lane nor only using it to pass other cars here. I really do not like this.
4. Many drivers nearly skid to a stop to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the street, even when said pedestrian is still on the sidewalk and not yet on the street. This annoys the piss out of me. I do not like this.
I like it here, just not the locals' driving style.
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by ChrisD
I hate it when people dont put on their seatbelts till after they've driven off and hold up all the traffic behind them. im sure it feels to them like they've saved a bit of time!
The worst driving habit ever though has got to be having to wear a hat for driving!! (not really a habit i know, but i thought they deserved a mention). I always give hat wearers plenty of room on the roads.
Chris
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by MichaelC
All of the above plus...
In the instance of lane closures those who make no effort to merge into the open lane but push in at the very last moment. In these instances I often notice that truckers subtly position their rigs to prevent this sort of antisocial behaviour - respect.
Speed cameras (a habit of sorts).
Any one who has the temerity of being in front of me when I am in a hurry.
Any one who has added flashing neon lights to their cars.
Any one who has added big f-off spoilers or dustbins to their old bangers.
Cheers
Mike
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by MichaelC
Also those Nova (and the like) drivers with umpteen gigawatt sound systems...
Mike
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by MichaelC
Oh, and I forgot the Traffic Program feature on radios - a bloody lot of use that is. Better turned off.
Cheers
Mike
Posted on: 15 November 2003 by bigmick
People who are simply incapable of merging. When warned that a dual carriageway is reduced to a single lane in e.g. 600 or 400 yards, some people believe that the outside lane should instantly be abandoned and then will happily take the front wing of your car off to stop you from politely merging when the road narrows. we are satarved of road space in this country and should avail of every inch of it.
My uncle Kevin and many others of his generation in Ireland deem it necessary to turn and look at the person that they are talking to. Normally this isn't a problem but when we're weaving at high speed along some dry riverbed with himself talking to me in the back seat and waving at his mates, this scares the b'jazus out of me.
Posted on: 15 November 2003 by Steve B
Drivers who get irritated by other drivers bad habits.
Steve B
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by HTK
Right on Steve.
If you take the view that every other driver is either permantly distracted or an arrogant pig who thinks driving is a pissing contest, nothing you come across will phase you.
Probably.
I do between 1000-3000 miles a month, which means a significant ammount of my time is spent in the car. I'd be a raving nut case if I let other people's behaviour get to me.
Oh and btw - the outside lane of any three (or more) lane road IS reserved for BMWs. I'm sorry, that's just the way it is. Please drive accordingly.
Harry
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by David Stewart
quote:
Oh and btw - the outside lane of any three (or more) lane road IS reserved for BMWs. I'm sorry, that's just the way it is. Please drive accordingly.
I'm given to understand that because they share the same country of origin, special dispensation is also granted to Porsches to use the outside lane (NB: this dispensation does
not apply to VWs, Audis or Mercs).
David
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by HTK
OK so I'm generalising. Dispensation is obviously awarded, but the majority of drivers just don't seem to know what these lanes are for
Harry
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by GML
Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but this one occurs on a single carriageway. A vehicle overtakes you, no problem there. The driver then indicates left to return to it's correct side of the road. WHY? There is no option to go anywhere else. This signal is totally unnecessary.
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by andy c
quote:
What I don't understand is the fact that using a mobile phone while driving is an offence as is drinking or eating anything and as for smoking, which limits your dexterity the same way as any other activity using your hands does is not.
It is an offence if you can show they were driving without due care due to that distracting them....
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by Steve Toy
Annoying indication.I know it says to do so in the Highway Code, but I do find indicating to pass a parked car really annoying. So, there's a parked car in front of you, you're going to do one of three things:
1)Pull up behind it, in which case you indicate left.
2)Stop and wait for an on-coming vehicle to come through before going to 3) below.
3)Go round the parked car.
With the last two options, indication is unnecesary and is very confusing, especially if there is a junction to the right just after the parked car.
I've followed a 4 x 4 for two miles at 25 mph and he indicates to turn right just before a junction where there is also a parked car on the left just before...
The sense of disappointment and frustration.
Worse still, I'm turning right out of the aforementioned junction and I see the 4x4 to my left indicating right so as to turn into the junction from which I'm about to emerge.
I pull out, and next he's right up my arse with his main beams on (as well as his front fog lamps that were already on.)
There was nobody behind him and yet he still indicated to pass the parked car on his left.
This really happened to me a few years back and now I just give all 4 x 4s the wide berth they so obviously need, and I don't trust indicators used by other motorists.
Regards,
Steve.
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by monkfish
Hi Andy C
The difference I was pointing out is that it is an offence to be seen using a mobile phone, eating or drinking but not smoking.
Regards
Jim
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by Martin D
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by andy c
Monkfish,
I don't mean to be awkward but if by smoking a cigarette and being distracted from driving correctly when doing so then that is at least 'not being in proper control' or a 'due care'...
trust me on this one...
Now whether you'd get prosecuted for it is another matter...
regards,
andy c!
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by Steve Toy
There is still a lot of confusion regarding what is and what is not legal regarding the use of mobile phones whilst at the wheel of a motor vehicle.
I have even heard rumours that you will still be committing an offence even if you park your car before answering or making a call from a hand-held mobile phone.
If this really is true then it serves to demonstrate a pathological hatred by the government of drivers and mobile phone users that extends beyond the mere issues of safety.
If anyone has any detailed information on this new legislation could they please supply it here.
Regards,
Steve.
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by domfjbrown
quote:
Originally posted by alexgerrard:
PEOPLE THAT DO THE SCHOOL RUN IN A PEOPLE CARRIER WITH ONLY ONE CHILD IN! Buy a smaller car, for fucks sake!
You and me both - but then, this also applies to the school run full stop (walk the brats to school - that's what their legs are for); also, businessmen who choke up the roads on the morning commute in their "cars big as bars" with only one driver in each.
Oh, and all drivers in general - 'cos I'll never be allowed to - he he...
__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by Dobbin
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by Simon Douglass
Well this could all be a fine stab at getting cast in the next round of grumpy old men,however,as I happen to agree with most I'd just like to add 3 more observations,sorry if these have been done already:
1.Front fog light users:first sign of rain,they're on.Not exactly safe when they blind on-coming traffic[me]
2.Twats that drive right up behind you in 30mph limits,esp.by schools.Often accompainied by wild gesticulations and expressions of disgust that one should dare make them drive at the legal maximum spped limit.
3.Those interesting people that add small ultraviolet lights to their cars;saw one the other day with 2 long strip lights under the car.What are they for?Are these people seriously ill?
Simon.