There’s nothing better than the feeling that comes along with passing your driving test and trading in your provisional for a fully fledged pink driving licence. You’re then left to your own devices, with no driving instructor by your side for when things go wrong. You just have to deal with it yourself, we’re afraid!
There’s no need to worry though, it will all come naturally with time. Soon enough, you’ll be well on your way to becoming confident behind the wheel. But sometimes, there’s just a few things which spoil the enjoyment of driving. This is usually thanks to a minority who fail to conform to the rules of the road (both official and unofficial), as well as a few other factors. So, read on as Karting Nation goes through our Top 10 pet peeves when it comes to driving.
Drivers Who Don’t Indicate
I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware that you were about to make a turn. Oh wait, it turns out I’m not actually a mind-reader! It really doesn’t take much to indicate – just a simple flick of the hand makes all the difference, and will stop someone ploughing into the back of your car too!
Driving At The Wrong Speed
There’s nothing worse than contending with a driver who has no concept of speed limits. They have them for a reason, you know! Whether it’s getting stuck behind a driver who fails to go over 20 in a 30 zone, or the driver who thinks it’s a good idea to tailgate you, it’s something that really puts your patience to the test!
De-Icing Your Car
As the winter months draw in, and cold, dark mornings turn into an unwanted reality, leaving the comfort of your warm bed is something that becomes all too much to bear. But, do you know what makes it worse? Having to de-ice your car! This is something that no driver looks forward to – especially as you have to get up even earlier than you usually would to beat the traffic, not to mention having to deal with numb fingers!
Potholes
Costing British motorists a reported £2.8 billion each year, potholes are the bane of all drivers’ lives. No matter how often they are reported, they take weeks, months, or even years to get fixed – and that’s if we’re lucky!
Traffic Jams
Whether it’s on the dreaded commute to work or trying to get home after a long and tiring day, the last thing you want to come across is a traffic jam. Moving along at a snail’s pace and watching pedestrians move along faster than you is not something that you signed up for! Those never-ending roadworks don’t make things any better either!
Speed Bumps
Sure, these things are great in the grand scheme of things – they serve a purpose and that’s stopping people from speeding unnecessarily. But, these things are something you definitely don’t want to come across unexpectedly – especially when they’re less visible at night!
Not Giving A Thank You Wave
Obviously, this isn’t a requirement that’s stated within the highway code. But, when you let someone out at a junction and they fail to acknowledge you, it’s just downright rude! We didn’t have to commit such a kind act. So, a little show of appreciation is the least that you could do, right?!
Middle Lane Hoggers
When driving down the motorway, one of the biggest sources of frustration is when you come across drivers who simply won’t move out of the middle lane – forcing you to either over or undertake them. Everyone knows you should stick to the left lane unless you’re overtaking or the that particular lane is closed! Luckily, this has now been made illegal, so it hopefully won’t happen too much any more!
Drivers In Their Own Little World
Many drivers are guilty of singing along to their favourite song on the radio when they’re behind the wheel. But, when you’re stuck behind a driver who fails to go when the light turns green, is too engrossed with their sat nav, or doesn’t go at roundabouts when they have right of way, this is something which undeniably frustrates other drivers. Stop getting so distracted and pay attention please!
Drivers Who Use Their Phone At The Wheel
Not only is this downright dangerous, it’s also illegal too. Yet, even with a heavy penalty for when you get caught, people just can’t seem to let go of their phone even when behind the wheel. Just stick it in the glove compartment and get a hands-free kit. Is that so much to ask?!
Conclusion
Well, that concludes our Top 10 annoyances behind the wheel, folks! Do you think we’ve missed out your biggest pet peeve as a driver? If so, let us know in the comments section below or on Facebook!
Alternatively, you can vent your frustrations by pushing the pedal to the metal at any one of our epic circuits up and down the country. Some of the best racers in the business started out their career on the karting circuit, including the one, the only Lewis Hamilton – who just so happened to make a name for himself on the renowned Hoddesdon circuit in Hertfordshire! You can read more about the journey of professional racers in our Former Karters Who Reached F1 blog. Happy racing!
Photo Credits:
dieselcar.com
theramppeople.co.uk
express.co.uk
bt.com