I love to drive, and Carol likes to ride. Exploring new country is one of our favorite things to do, and taking a five thousand mile, two-week road trip is an annual event. Over the years, we have visited all fifty states, Washington D.C., and four Canadian provinces.
I pride myself on my road skills and have driven approximately 1.5 million miles with only two very minor, slow-speed fender benders. Neither one was my fault.
Unfortunately, not everyone pays as close attention to the road as I do, and some interstate highway drivers try my patience with their inconsiderate behavior.
Recently, we were on the road and I was fussing about a particularly aggravating driver. Carol had heard it all before and finally said, “Why don’t you just write about this in your column and get it out of your system.”
Challenge accepted! So, here is a countdown of my five pet peeves about interstate drivers.
5. Drivers who are unable to maintain a constant speed. Cruise control is pretty ubiquitous these days, so why are some people unable to drive at a steady speed? Oftentimes, someone will pass me and then gradually slow down until I’m forced to pass them. This usually repeats itself until they take an exit or I gun it to get far ahead of them. My guess is that they are on their cell phone and can’t focus on two things at one time. For the record, I don’t care if someone wants to pass me (I don’t drive particularly fast) but do it already and get out of the way!
4. Drivers who start to pass but then stop even with me. For whatever reason, these drivers start to pass but then drive side by side with me instead of going on around. Not only are they creating a dangerous situation by denying both of us room to maneuver in case of an emergency, they are also preventing anyone else from passing. I will give them a little time in case they are just momentarily distracted, but if they don’t move on, I will accelerate to get away from them and then resume my cruising speed. They usually then fall back behind me where they were to begin with.
3. Drivers who try to break into a line of cars passing a vehicle. How many times have you been in a long line of cars passing a slower vehicle when someone roars past you on the right and then tries to force their way in? I guess they think their time is more precious than everyone else’s, and it’s worth the dangerous maneuver to save a few seconds. Many drivers must share this particular pet peeve because I’ve noticed that the line of cars will often close ranks as if on command and not let the impatient driver get in. It’s rather satisfying to pass them by and watch them end up farther behind than if they had stayed in the queue.
2. Drivers who slow down to pass an eighteen-wheeler. This really aggravates me and I have no idea why they do it. I will be behind someone who is passing a big truck, and everything will be fine until they actually get to the truck. Then they slow down and just creep along, taking forever to get around the eighteen-wheeler. Once they’re past the truck, they resume normal speed. Does driver’s ed no longer teach students to get around a truck as fast as possible in case the truck swerves or one of you has a blow out? Geez Louise, “Punch it, Mildred!” and get around him!!
1. And my number one driving pet peeve? Drivers who stake out the fast lane and jam up the whole interstate. The left-hand lane is supposed to be used for passing only, yet that doesn’t stop some inconsiderate people from using it as their regular driving lane. They putter along, completely oblivious of everyone else. If traffic is heavy, vehicles often stack up behind the slow poke because there’s not enough room on the right to get around them. If I were a state trooper, I would love to have an unmarked unit and spend my shift looking for these people and educating them on proper driving etiquette.
Okay, rant over! Enjoy your summer, but please be courteous to others on the road.
Dr. Terry L. Jones is a professor emeritus of history at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. For an autographed copy of “Louisiana Pastimes,” a collection of the author’s stories, send $25 to Terry L. Jones, P.O Box 1581, West Monroe, LA 71294.
