Top 10 Pet Peeves 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, and for the most part 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 around 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!

But every once in awhile 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.

So as I mentioned, recently we found ourselves on the interstate and these are the thoughts I had regarding things that make us stay away from them — not in 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 the flow of traffic moving well and prevents bottlenecks on the highway.

So many people ignore this and just drive at whatever speed they desire in the left lane, meanwhile traffic can pile up behind them because people 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, there are still many who will go way faster even!

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 who attempt 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.

I do feel for truck drivers in some ways and I know that there are a lot of things people do that makes 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! grrr.

People who weave in and out as if they’ll get anywhere faster.

Okay people, listen up. If you are driving in an area that has tons of traffic in all lanes and it goes on for miles like this, changing lanes constantly and trying to weave in between others is not 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 that we see someone driving like that while we just sit back and stick to our lane and then we end up passing them further up. Always makes me laugh!

Motorcycles who ride the center line.

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.

Motorcycles who drive in between cars.

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 make sure you avoid stuff 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.

Do you have additional pet peeves on the interstate? Are you like us and you stay on the back roads as much as you can? Please share.