SOME PEOPLE THINK that driving and writing about cars for a living is a dream job, and whilst it certainly does have its perks, one of the worst parts of my job is that I have to spend so much time with other road users.
You see, many Irish road users seem to be missing the gene that recognises road markings, the reflexes to flick indicator switches and the receptors to distinguish red from green.
In fact, just thinking about the careless and selfish driving I encounter every day is making my heart race. I am therefore going to have to keep this article short and sweet, otherwise, there will be smoke coming from my keyboard due to my ferocious angry typing.
Here are my top driving peeves:
6. People who speed up when I try to legally overtake them, and then tailgate me when they were previously going slower than me. Am I hurting your pride that I am going faster than you? Grow up.
5. People who slow down or stop on the onramp joining a motorway. (I’ve seen it happen, more than once.) Do you know how dangerous this is? Get advanced driving lessons.
4. People who speed past the cars waiting to exit at a junction and try to nudge their way in towards the top of the queue. Your journey is no more important than anyone else. Get in line.
3. People who drive in the middle lane of the motorway screwing up lane discipline and safe driving for those in all other lanes. Do you feel safer in the middle lane? Well, your driving is inconsiderate and dangerous for others. Move over.
2. People who seem surprised that green follows red. Listen up people, those red lights are only temporary. You will have to start driving again, soon. Do you really need to check your phone, flick through the newspaper, or reapply your lipstick? Pay attention.
1. People who won’t let me pass.
I often ponder the psychological issues of those who cruise along in the overtaking lane. Is it an ego problem, control issues or is it a safety behaviour? One thing I do know is that it is extremely frustrating and it is my number one pet driving peeve.
Let’s get one thing straight, it’s called the OVERTAKING LANE. It’s not the ‘outside lane’ nor the ‘fast lane’ nor the ‘oh but I’ll be overtaking someone in a few minutes’ lane.
Some people seem to think that if they are driving at the speed limit they can hog this lane. That’s not how it works. Why are you so shy of the left-hand lane? There is no shame in driving there. In fact, I admire those that know how to use the three lanes on a motorway correctly. Hat tip to the awesome drivers in the left-hand lane, even when the other lanes are all clear. Now, get out of my way.
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