Top 10 Pet Peevers for Interstate Driving
Let us all make the road a better and safer place for all!
As we were traveling down the interstate recently, I started thinking about the many reasons why we typically avoid interstates if at all possible.
Since we travel full-time, we aren’t tied to a specific agenda; we can take our time and drive the back roads as we go from place to place across the country. We always enjoy that so much more! It’s a slower pace, there are more things to stop and see, and we don’t have to worry about some of these pet peeves. All can’t be avoided on the back roads, but some can!
Every once in a while, we either decide we don’t really want to take the extra time it would take to stay off the interstate or, in some cases, there’s just really not much of an option other than the interstate.
As I mentioned, we recently found ourselves on the interstate, and here are the thoughts I had about what keeps us away from them —without any particular order.
People who drive in the left lane.
In many states, you’re technically only supposed to use the left lane to pass. Once you’ve passed, you’re supposed to move back to the right lane. This helps keep traffic flowing smoothly and prevents bottlenecks on the highway.
So many people ignore this and just drive at whatever speed they want in the left lane, while traffic piles up behind them because they can’t get around. Don’t be that person. Move over and stay on the right. 😡
People who fly down the road at dangerous speeds.
I know some will disagree with me here, but I’m not a fan of the super-high speed limits. And despite how high some interstate speed limits are, many still go way faster!
Considering how many accidents there are on our highways and how many deaths result from traffic accidents per year, it amazes me that people feel comfortable flying past other vehicles like this. You’re just one wrong move away from death and destruction when you do this. That’s my 2 cents at least.
People who drive way too slow for the highway.
On the flip side, those who get on the interstate and then proceed to drive so slowly that people have to put on their brakes if they come up behind them — that’s just as dangerous!
If you can’t keep up with traffic, an alternate route might be a better option for you.
Trucks attempting to pass and then go the same speed for miles and miles.
My brother-in-law is a truck driver, so we’ve learned a little bit about the trucking industry over the years. It’s not an easy job.
I do feel for truck drivers in some ways and I know there are many things people do that make their job harder, but when a semi decides to pass another semi and they’re both going at or under the speed limit and tons of traffic gets stuck behind them because they stay side by side for ages, that’s so flipping annoying!
People who weave in and out as if they’ll get anywhere faster.
Okay, people, listen up. If you are driving in an area with heavy traffic in all lanes that stretches for miles, constantly changing lanes and weaving between others isn't going to get you there any faster.
It always amazes me to see people do this — especially when they do it dangerously! There have been many times when we see someone driving like that, just sitting back and sticking to their lane, and then we end up passing them farther up. Always makes me laugh. 🤭
Motorcycles that ride the center line and split lanes.
I don’t understand this at all. You’re so much more vulnerable when you’re on a motorcycle, yet we see so many motorcyclists hug the center line and almost go into the other lane — sometimes with cars all around them. So bizarre to me.
In addition to that one, we’ve seen so many motorcyclists drive on the lane lines in between cars as they’re driving down the highway. Thankfully, it’s usually when traffic is slower, but still — that just seems incredibly irresponsible and dangerous.
Rubberneckers who slow traffic down for something on the other side.
You know, I get it if there’s something happening on your side of the road and you have to slow down to work your way around it or avoid the debris in the road. But for crying out loud, if there’s nothing on your side of the highway to impede traffic, please don’t stop and be a looky-loo! 👀
You’re just raising the risk of something happening on your side, too. Keep with the flow of traffic and don’t worry about what’s happening on the other side.
Tailgaters who drive way too close.
Aggressive drivers who practically attach themselves to the back of another car just blow my mind. If that driver had to swerve to avoid something or if they had to stop quickly for any reason, it’s not going to end pretty if you’re attached to their back bumper.
There’s a 3-second rule for a reason — please use it.
Texting and driving.
It amazes me that people will do this while driving 75 miles an hour down the interstate. Or at any speed for that matter. There isn’t anything you need to be doing on your phone that’s worth someone’s life. And if you’re not paying attention to your driving, that’s exactly what could happen if you don’t put the phone down — you could take someone’s life.
If you need to be on it for some reason, please use common sense and pull over somewhere.
These are my Top 10 Pet Peeves for Interstate Driving.
What about you?