My top 10 driving pet hates
A year or so back I wrote an open letter to stupid drivers, I had been on my way to work and could not get over the shocking driving behaviour on our roads. Is it just me or are things getting worse? I cannot get over some of the behaviour currently displayed on our roads. I wonder if some of it comes down to simple manners and courtesy? I believe that if every person showed consideration for every other driver, our roads would be a much safer place to be. But for now, I am going to list my top ten driving pet hates. We did a poll on driving pet hates and most people hate slow drivers in the fast lane. Not surprising really is it? But I have many others!
Send us your pet hates to [email protected]
My Top Ten Driving Pet Hates
10. Litter bugs
How were you brought up that makes it acceptable behaviour to throw your trash our of your window? And do not even get me started on cigarettes being thrown out the window. No one can be that ignorant surely?
9. People who don’t pull over when lost
But instead crawl along at a snails pace, brake unexpectedly, and never under any circumstance utilise an indicator. Pull over people!
8. Tailgating
I don’t mind if you drive up behind me when I am doing the legal speed limit and I can pull over in to the left lane to let you pass. But do NOT tailgate me when I have a driver in front of me and to the left of me and have no where to go. You are putting my life in danger! Exercise just a smidgen of patience and I will move over as soon as I can.
7. Illegal U-Turns
Guys come on! There is a reason a sign shows you that you are not to do u-turns in certain areas. It is dangerous! And no, you are not a better driver than anyone else so able to do it “just quickly,” obey the rules of the road. Period!
6. Drivers who have no clue how to navigate a traffic circle
It’s really not rocket science. Give way to cars coming from your right. Look at the lane markings, it will tell you where you are allowed to exit while in that lane. And use your indicator people! Simple!
5. Slow drivers in the fast lane
I spoke about tailgating and how I will pull over when I can for someone driving up behind me. I am only in the fast lane if I am over taking other cars, which is the only time you should be in the fast lane as well. If you are not passing anyone, you are driving too slow and you need to move out of the way of those who are driving faster.
4. Cutting in
If I have waited patiently in the turning lane for 10 minutes and then you come along in your arrogant way and just cut in ahead of me because you are too good to wait, I will be hurling insults at you from the safety of my car. Swear words will certainly be involved.
3. People driving while on their phones
Guys! It is illegal to be on your phone while you are driving! That is it! Stop texting, stop dialling and stop talking on your phone when you are behind the wheel of a car. I cannot count the amount of times I have almost been taken out by a driver who is texting and didn’t realise they were drifting in my lane. It kills!
2. Not using an indicator
This is where consideration and courtesy comes in to play. The indicator is not for you, it is for every other driver on the road. It informs me of your intention! It is not an optional feature on your car. Show me which way you are turning guys, please!
1. Blocking an intersection
This is my all-time number one pet hate on the road. If the robot is green but you can see that the cars in front of you have stopped due to not being able to go any further, then WAIT on your side of the robot. Please don’t be that person who chances it only to get stuck right in the middle of the intersection. It is the number one cause of traffic congestion in our city at the moment! If you do this, you are contributing to the traffic congestion in Cape Town and therefore not allowed to complain about it.
Please send us your driving pet hates to womeonwheels@assocmedia,co.za. We would love to hear from you.