That's it. I've comepletely HAD it with all these people who seemed to have slipped through the driving test. Who 'grades' these people, anways?!
Now I don't normally blog my rants...but it seems never ending. All last week (also including today) I had a total of probably 6 'almost-wrecks'. At first I begin to wonder if it was me...but I got to thinking...and I'm 100% sure it was not (don't believe me? Ask me about it and I'll gladly tell you the stories). And people are only getting worse...so I've decided I'm going to tell you some tips on driving.

Who am I to tell you how to drive? Well, for pretty much 11 years (that would be me at 5, folks) I wanted to drive...so when I got my license at 16, I vowed that I would actually be a good driver. Not to sound 'holier than thou', but honestly, with almost 6yrs with no tickets or warnings or anything to back it up, I think I can safely say I am a pretty good driver.

I know how to operate the lights, brights, blinkers, gas, and brakes properly. I usually try to stay at 5 miles over the speed limit at most (10 occasionally, I've caught myself when in a hurry). I use my blinkers ALL the time (even when there's no one around - just in case), try not to pull out in front of others (sometimes it happens), the whole 9 yards. It's really not all that hard, people. My only true vice is that I have very little patience and a mild case of road rage (that's only ever came to muttering, yelling in my car, a few angry glares if I'm lucky enough to pass them, and little fantasies of following them home and slitting all four of their tires. :P)

But I think that the more rude and self-centered this society gets, the more they don't care about others. And obviously, the more they don't care about others...the more careless they're going to be with other drivers.

But I digress...

Here are some tips. You're not getting the whole driving manual they force you to read (because I'm willing to bet you didn't read it - otherwise I wouldn't be ranting about this) but a few tips that hopefully you can actually use and just maybe avoid KILLING someone.




Blinkers:
First, let's go over why blinkers are so important. Blinkers are on a car for you to use (gasp! I know!) to inform others that you're changing lanes, turning, or that something is wrong with your car or that you'll be driving slower than you should so that they can go around you (hazard lights). Car makers don't put blinkers in ALL cars for decoration.

-Please, for Pete's sake, don't get into the turning lane and THEN turn on your blinker! That defeats the whole purpose. You're in the turning lane...we know you're turning. But we'd all like to know that you are getting into the turning lane so that we know that you're slowing down. It's kind of common courtesy.

-Also, don't slow down to turn and then hit your blinker. Again, it defeats the purpose. We'd like to know you're slowing down so that we don't hit your sorry rear. Adding to that...hit your blinker in ample time.

It's pretty simple, here are the steps:
1) Realize you're turning
2) About 100ft, turn on your blinker
3) Begin to slow down
4) Turn!

-Hit your blinker BEFORE changing lanes. I don't know how many times I've seen people almost get clipped because someone changes lanes and the other driver has no warning of it. If you at least value YOUR car, you'd hit your blinker. Because some of us (*ahem*) have cars they're not afraid of hitting you with.




Lights/Brights:
Again, these aren't for decoration. They are not only there so that you can see while driving at night, but for other drivers to know you are there.

-When it's foggy in the morning, when it's raining...pretty much anytime you can't fully see the sun...turn your lights on. Most cars made now automatically have lights that are on when the car is on, but for those whose car does not have that feature...turn them on! Did you ever think that maybe someone is colorblind or having a problem differentiating the color of your silver Prius to the road? Didn't think so...and that is exactly what is going to get you hit.

-At night, it's obvious they need to be on. But sometimes you can't quite see; that's when you need your brights. That's fine and good...until another car comes. So, how about not being a jerk and turn off the brights until the other driver passes? I don't really appreciate being run off the road because you're too lazy to use 4 muscles to move your arm to turn them off and right back on.

Just on a side note: Fog lights are just as bad.

- Just because you're behind someone doesn't mean your stinkin' brights aren't in their rear-view mirror, blinding them. Turn them off.

-Also, it doesn't matter how far away the car is from you...if you see headlights (or backlights), turn them off until they pass. It's just common courtesy.




Gas/Brakes:
The two most essential things to do with a car is also the most mis-used.  I constantly either have someone driving to fast and on my rear bumper, or driving too slow, causing me to struggle not to ride theirs. So here are some tips on how to use those two peddles under your steering wheel.

-I realize it's hard to stay off someone's bumper when they're driving super-slow. Notice I said 'super-slow'. Not 'Omgdnss-they're-2-miles-under-the-speed-limit' slow. If they're driving the speed limit, then get over yourself. You're not so important that you're going to absolutely DIE to obey the law. Deal with it and don't be a jerk and ride their bumper because you're upset because mommy didn't teach you that things can't always go your way.

-That also goes to the person in front. At least go the speed limit. No need to inconvience everyone because you're trying to find a road. You can always turn around if you pass the road. Or you could always pull over to let everyone by. And if that's going to just KILL you...then quit being such a tightwad and buy a GPS.

-DO NOT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER. I'm pretty sure this doesn't need any explanation.

-Don't slam on your brakes unless you've just realized you're about to drive off a cliff. No animal or missed road is worth anyone's life.

-STOP AT STOP SIGNS. It's not hard. So sorry it takes up a total of maybe 5 minutes of your day to stop at a stop sign. And no, 'pausing' is not the same as stopping. Because, again, some of us have nothing to lose with our cars and will not hesitate to take their turn anyway and hit you.

Another side note: Don't pull out so far that people on the roads can not see around you. That'll get them, someone else, or you hit.

-STOP AT RED LIGHTS. Same concept here. I'm guilty of running yellow lights, sure, but there is no reason to blatantly run a red light because you're in a 'hurry'.




Miscellaneous Tips:
Some more that didn't really fit into a category...or took up more than one category.

-DON'T PULL OUT IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE. Especially if you plan on going slower than the person you're pulling out in front of. This will more than likely result in someone riding your bumper. You should really learn to judge distance.

-Don't stop to check your mail in the middle of the road. It's fine when there's no one around (hey, I do it to), but if you're hindering someone else then pull into the driveway and get your lazy rear out of the car. If you're too lazy to do that then you probably need to be getting out and moving around a little anyways.

-At a green light, if you don't have an arrow and there is a car going straight...that is not you're cue to go!! I actually almost hit a guy tonight because he thought he had the right to turn when I was going straight. Do not assume that someone is turning too. If they turn without a blinker...then that makes them the idiot.

-Give someone a second to hit their gas to turn before being a jerk and honking. Also happened to me today. Two seconds is not ample time for someone to get out of your way, precious.

-DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE. In fact, if possible, don't talk on your phone and drive. Or do your makeup. Or eat. Or whatever else is going to distract you from the road. Just because you think you can multitask doesn't mean you can.

Oh I'm SOO sure I'm leaving so many things out...so check back often as I add more as I go through  my daily vehicle adventures. And feel free to leave your own tips and rants.

...calling me every morning during your work week.
...always making a point of seeing me at least once a day.
...always making me feel beautiful (even on my "fat days").
...plugging up my phone before you leave if I fall asleep.
...just holding my hand.
...putting up with constant attitude (lol. it's really not that bad lol).
...wearing your "hot pants" :)
...seeing in me what others can't.
...feeling your love all around me.
...knowing you're here...even when you're not.
...the butterflies I get when I look into your eyes.
...you wiping any tears away...and making sure they're not coming back.
...discovering the greenest grass is right where you are.
...falling for you over...and over...and over...and...
...seeing me the way I am...and still in love with me.
...giving me your clothes (yes, I sleep with his hoodie like a blanket lol)
...a sigh of contentment.