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Published Saturday, August 01, 2009 12:08 AM

The commuter rant 
Getting revved up on the road

The title of this piece promises a rant, but I’m going to try and keep an even temper.

 

The reason? I’m not currently in my car and I’m actually able to keep an even temper. I commute two hours each day in my car, and I don’t like what it does to my personality. So, I try to be as good a person as possible while I’m not driving to make up for it. Later today I’m going to groom puppies at a soup kitchen.

 

But back to the “rant.” Anyone who drives to work has a list of the top driving sins that other motorists inflict upon them. What are mine? I’m glad you asked:

 

Using the turn signal to squeeze into the fast lane

No one needs to merge left on the highway the way they would need to merge right to exit. People merge left because they want to go faster, and this is certainly understandable. But what gets me is when someone in the middle lane puts their left turn signal on and expects a car in the left lane to slow down so they can merge in front of them. The left lane is a privilege, not a right. If there is no immediate opening, wait until there is one. 

 

Fast drivers/slow drivers

If you’re going 55mph in the fast lane, you’re driving too slow and holding up traffic. If you’re weaving in and out of traffic at 80mph, then you’re going to fast and endangering those around you. So, please hear my plea: if you prefer to drive slower, stay in the right lane. If you like weaving through traffic, find a sponsor and join the NASCAR circuit.

 

Traffic on the highway

Okay, everyone hates highway traffic, but aside from accidents, how does traffic ever come to a complete stop? There are no stop lights or stop signs. Shouldn’t traffic keep moving at reduced speeds? Yes, there are people merging onto the highway, but there are also people exiting the highway. I’m sure there is an explanation, I just can’t figure out what it is. If anyone knows or has any theories, please speak up!

 

Disagree with me or have some of your own pet peeves regarding your work commute? Feel free to share.

by tinadh
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Comments

# BFranklin said on Friday, August 07, 2009 11:42 AM

You're....... confused. Driving in and of itself is a privilege NOT driving in the left lane.  Maybe if people (perhaps including yourself) departed from their point of origin earlier, they wouldn't need to tailgate in the left lane to the point of where I can see their eye color in my rearview mirror.  A little driver courtesy goes a long way to save life and property.  Chronic left-lane drivers take heed and stop tailgating, flashing high beams/honking and behaving as if no one else needs the lane but YOU.  I might be in the left lane momentarily to avoid a potential collision or debris in the remaining lane(s).  I too have loved ones who expect me to come home from work in one piece, OK?