Top 10 Dumb Driving Moves

6. “We’re Ready For The Restart!”
On rural two-lanes, it appears that many drivers don’t want to exceed the speed limit until you pull out to pass. Then it’s like a NASCAR spotter shouted in their ear: “Green, green, green!” And the race is underway! A car that had been traveling 54 mph will accelerate to 75 or more. That makes what should have been an easy pass dangerous. I’m not sure what—or if—they were thinking. If oncoming traffic or a double-yellow line approaches, I become my own spotter: “Clear high!” and slide right. Perhaps shocked awake, the other driver usually returns to his 54-mph pace.

5. The Memphis Merge
If you think your city has the worst drivers, it means you haven’t driven in Memphis. It’s fun to watch Memphians make a left turn onto a four- or six-lane surface street. (All destinations in Memphis require a left turn onto a major surface street.) Memphians don’t need a polite driver to stop for them, they just creep out and make other drivers stop for—or hit—them. A skilled Memphis driver can block three lanes.

4. I’m A Hazard
When driving conditions are at the absolute worst—thick fog, heavy rain, blinding snow—some will turn on their hazard warning flashers. They continue to drive, often 10 or more mph over the speed limit. Have they been told the hazards activate a magic force field that’ll prevent them from crashing into unseen obstacles? Maybe they’re just saying: “I’m a hazard!” You can switch them off: We already know.

3. But I Missed My Exit
Backing up on the freeway shoulder is not only illegal and dangerous, it’s just plain dumb. Back-up lights tell a cop a mile behind there’s a numbskull ahead. “Give ME a ticket,” say those lights. Besides, almost always there’s another exit just ahead. (The previous sentence does not apply in parts of Utah, Nebraska, Texas and other western states.)

2. I’m Turning, Or Maybe Not
A flashing turn signal means, “I’m turning this way.” Or it might mean, “I’m turning the other way.” Or, possibly, “I’m going straight.” One of the favorite things around here: Drivers use their turn signal to indicate they’re not going to turn right at the street you’re attempting to turn left from. Instead, they’re turning into the driveway just past. Ordinarily, these drivers would never consider using a signal until at least halfway through a turn.