By Tom and Ray Magliozzi, Car Talk
Last week, we took a look at tips for a more civilized commute. Here are ten annoying habits of other drivers.
1. Talking on a cell phone
When you're talking on your cell phone, you're as likely to cause an accident as when you're legally drunk.
Don't Be a Jerk: Put the phone down while you drive. You know about voice mail, right?
2. Driving too fast for road conditions
Just because a speed limit is 65 mph doesn't mean that's always the right speed. Weather conditions can dramatically reduce your car's braking and handling abilities and limit visibility.
Don't Be a Jerk: There's always someone driving like a jerk in bad weather. And if you notice you're passing everybody, you're the jerk.
3. Not cleaning snow off cars
How would you feel if someone heaved a 3-foot-diameter, 40-pound dinner plate at your windshield? Not too swell, we're guessing. That's exactly what happens when a rooftop of snow and ice goes airborne.
Don't Be a Jerk: Take five minutes to clean the snow off your car before you drive away.
4. Not signaling when turning or changing lanes, or leaving a signal on
Signaling your intentions is one of the most basic acts of courtesy one can engage in. If we can't predict what other drivers are going to do, we can't make informed decisions about what we should do, and the result is mayhem. And insurance claims.
Don't Be a Jerk: Use your turn signals, Bub.
5. Leaving high beams on
Driving at night introduces a variety of risks, all related to the fact that our vision becomes limited. So when someone oncoming cruises past you and shines the equivalent of a 100,000-candlepower lighthouse directly into your retinas, he's definitely being more than annoying — he's compromising your ability to drive safely.
Don't Be a Jerk: Understand that your high beams are a dangerous weapon when aimed at oncoming traffic.
