Saturday, July 12, 2014

PET PEEVES #1 - ON THE ROAD

Even the most liberal, easy going, peace loving person has pet peeves. Unlike some people who exhibit road rage or go postal by shooting up a place killing a bunch of innocent people, my petty pet peeves aren't fuel for much more than a series of blog posts or a real life bitch session with my friends.  Yes, for the most part I'm an easy going, live and let live type of person.  I do, however, have a few pet peeves that not only ruffle my feathers at times, but sometimes have me scrambling for heartburn medicine and a muscle relaxer as well. 

I'll kick this series off by saying my sources of discontent aren't listed in any particular order.  I'll just write about them as they pop into my otherwise "kumbaya" mellow existence.  Although my most recent trip to North Carolina was enjoyable in so many ways, it also was a refresher course for several of my pet peeves.  While they're still fresh in my mind let me kick this series off with ranting about my drive from Florida to North Carolina and back again.

Like most people who are driving a long distance, I take the fastest route by traveling on the Interstates between point A and point B.  I have to admit I don't adhere to the speed limit and perhaps I could be categorized as having a lead foot at times, but I mainly drive about as fast as the flow of traffic...give or take 10 or 15 miles per hour. What makes me crazy is getting behind someone who can barely see over their steering wheel and who drives 30 miles per hour slower than everyone else on the Interstate.  Why are these people even on the Interstate and not on some secondary road if what they want to do is sight see?  If you drive like you have nowhere to go and have trouble putting pressure on the gas pedal, then I think your ass belongs on a bicycle or dog sled and not driving a car that's holding up holiday traffic.  My mother always gets a kick out of me ranting about F.O.P.'s (fucking old people) and kindly reminds me that I'll be one myself someday. I'm sure she's right...she usually is!

My second "on the road" pet peeve is the availability and cleanliness of rest stops.  Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina have ample rest stops, but Georgia doesn't think people should have to urinate or stretch their legs in their state without getting off the Interstate and buying gas or food.  The rule of thumb where rest stops are concerned seems to be that the further North you travel the filthier the rest stops become.  Some states (Connecticut is the guiltiest, by far) should bulldoze their rest stops completely and replace them with a porta-potty and a spigot to wash your hands.  

Call me old fashion, but I think anyone who texts while driving is not only crazy, but is unsafe to be behind the wheel of a car.  I used to think the same thing about women who applied their make-up while driving, but I was accused of being jealous because I could never master that skill.  People have become so plugged into their electronic devices that they've forgotten how and when to act sensibly or how to be courteous when in the company of other people.  Is any text message really that important that it's worth putting people's lives at risk? Say what you will, but I think anyone driving should be focused on the road and not be playing Russian Roulette with their vehicle.  Driving is a privilege, not a right and maybe if the laws were changed to revoke a person's license if they're busted for texting while driving then more people might think before they reached for their cell phone.   LOL or :) really can wait for an more appropriate time. 

14 comments:

  1. Ah...the slow pokey driver...close relative to the 'glued to your bumper' driver. We could fill a book with our complaints about other drivers couldn't we? My pet peeve is the 'indy 500 driver' who frequents our street. One of these days we'll find him embedded in our tree.

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    1. Yes, I should have included the "glued to your bumper" driver in my rant because they are equally as annoying as the other.

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  2. The older I get the more I hate interstate driving. And riding in a car as a passenger isn't any better. Don't like it when others are taking MY life in their hands! Hugs, Linda@Wetcreek Blog

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    1. Since I like visiting old friends and family and exploring new places, I put up with the annoyance of the road. If I didn't, I'd just stay home...maybe that's the answer. Stay home and let people come to me.

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  3. Texting while you drive IS illegal here. Which doesn't stop rather a lot of people.
    And don't get me started on the public facilities question. One of the worst ever was locked - I had to ask in the garage for the key. And then realised they had locked it out of shame. Or should have. Only a nuclear blast could have cleaned that toilet.

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    1. It's illegal in most states here, but when has making something illegal ever stopped people from doing something?

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  4. Georgian here: Well, just get off the interstate and find yourself a Cracker Barrel. Good food and clean rest rooms. Stretch your legs as you walk through the old country store. What's your hurry? But seriously (I think), sometimes when I'm on the road I think I'm about the only one left who practices safe, courteous driving any more.

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    1. Doug, Georgia is such a lovely state BUT it really needs to build some rest areas along the Interstate. The only hurry I was in was to get to the next state so I could use the bathroom! It was good hearing from you! How have you been?

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    2. Thanks for asking. I've been run ragged at work and my mom has been very ill recently, which combined to make me scarce.

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    3. I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I hope you live close to her so you give her the emotional support she needs in person.

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  5. A young woman here in Colorado, very recently, lost her life while texting and driving, so sad!
    My husband and I took a trip to Kansas a few weeks ago and it was all smooth-sailing on the highway, I am happy to report. No pokey drivers and the rest stops were 'up to par'

    Good post!

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    1. I'm glad your trip was without any unpleasant incidences and yes, it is sad that so many are being killed due to distracted driving these days.

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  6. No texting and driving - ever! (said in my best Mommie Dearest voice)

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