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Here at Complex want you to know that you're the most amazing driver ever. Even if you're not, you like to believe that you are. We all do. As a result, we also like to criticize all the bad drivers we see, or pretty much everyone who isn't us. There's a core set of skills, or lack thereof, that makes up a bad and/or annoying driver. No matter what you drive or ride, we're pretty sure you've seen all these guys on the road. Here is our list of the 10 Most Annoying Driving Habits.
10. Straddling the Line
Other drivers can’t figure out what you’re trying to do, and are hesitant to pass you because they aren’t sure if you’ll be moving left or right. Also, if you’re paying so little attention that you’re driving along straddling lane lines, other drivers will have less confidence that you’ll notice and avoid hitting them.
9. Not Handling Intersections Correctly
You pull up to a four-way stop at almost the same time as another car that’s perpendicular to you. They got there a couple seconds before you, but they wave you through in order to be nice. If it’s just you and the other car, there isn’t a problem. But if there’s a lot of other traffic, not following the rules of the road can confuse and frustrate other drivers -- and possibly cause an accident.
8. Not Letting Merging Drivers in on Expressways During Rush Hour
Everyone’s already tense enough during Rush Hour. Not letting someone in just so you can go an extra two feet before you come to a dead stop for the next five minutes only makes it worse. Agitated drivers are less cautious and cause more accidents. Here’s where and when to be courteous; not at a four-way intersection where it’s confusing.
7. Pacing to Prevent Passing
Some do it consciously. Some do it unconsciously. Either way, it’s incredibly frustrating when you go to pass someone, either by speeding up or slowing down, and that car matches your pace. Are they doing it so you can’t pass them? Have they even noticed that you’re trying to pass them? You can’t know, because you’re not in their head. But it doesn’t make you any less angry.
6. Driving Under the Speed Limit
If you get stuck behind a horse and carriage, you know it’s going to be slower than your car. You’re OK with that, because you expect it. But other cars? There’s no excuse to not go the speed limit, unless it’s those few moments after your engine’s blown and you’re looking for a safe place to pull over and call AAA. Or you have a big STUDENT DRIVER sign or sticker on the car.
5. Tailgating
No one likes it when someone’s about to climb up their tailpipes. The only question is whether it’s more annoying if the person tailgating you is doing it because they’re an asshole, or because they’re simply oblivious and don’t realize they’re right on your bumper. You have two options: slow down so much that they pass you, or slam on your brakes suddenly in hopes that they’ll back off. We don’t recommend the second option, since it may result in your getting rear-ended and cited for causing an accident. But what if a little kid or an animal runs out in front of your car suddenly and you have no choice but to slam the brakes?
4. Jerk Who Gets Mad When You Call Them Out for Their Bad Behavior
You’re driving along, minding your own business, when some jerk cuts you off. You yell something like “Idiot” or “Nice driving” out your window to vent your frustration. Next thing you know, that asshole has pulled over, is getting out of their car, and is doing the macho cocksmack walk over to your car to start a fight.
3. Cyclists Who Ignore Road Rules
Bicyclists want to share the road with cars, trucks, and motorcycles. That’s great, especially if you’re concerned about fitness and/or the environment. What isn’t great is when they think they’re somehow above the rules of the road. Things like not using hand signals to indicate they’re turning, sudden lane changes, and other erratic behavior makes it more dangerous for everyone -- but they’re the ones who will end up in the hospital if an accident happens, and it’s your insurance that will go up.
2. Not Using Turn Signals
It’s annoying because it seems really arrogant. It says, “Turn signals are for chumps, and I’m too important to use them.” Sure, cars in general are much safer than they’ve ever been, but think of a turn signal as a safety feature. The more obvious you make it that you’re about to do something other than continue driving in a straight line, the less likely it is that you’ll have an accident. It doesn’t matter whether you’re driving fast or slow -- your turn signals are a valuable safety feature.
1. Distracted Driving
We’ve all seen close calls because someone was too busy texting/talking on the phone/reading a newspaper/eating breakfast with a knife and fork/watching a DVD to actually drive their car safely. This leads to erratic driving, sudden swerving, and a general lack of concern for everyone around the distracted driver. Not only annoying, but downright dangerous. Think of your car as a weapon, and treat it with that level of respect.
