"How's My Driving?"
Do you know a bad driver who just won't admit when they're wrong? No matter what you say, some people defend their driving skills even while everyone else in the car grips their seats a little tighter. The truth is, nobody starts their day planning to be "that driver." But if you find yourself or anybody else using these 20 excuses quite frequently, maybe it's time for some honest reflection.
1. "I'm not tailgating; they're just driving too slow."
If you can recognize what brand their air freshener is, you're too close to that car. A good driver remembers that two-second rule they learned in driving school. So, it doesn't matter if you're running late for work. Braking distance is very important.
2. "The speed limit is just a suggestion."
It's the classic "everyone else is doing it" defense. Yes, that 45 mph sign might feel like it was set by someone's overprotective parent, but it has more to do with that blind curve ahead than society trying to ruin someone's drive.
3. "I don't need to signal when there's nobody around."
There's nobody around except for that one person you didn't see. We shouldn't forget that, along with other vehicles, turn signals are also for pedestrians and cyclists who are waiting to cross. Those lights are for every moving thing on the road, leaving out cats, of course.
4. "My phone was only in my hand for a second."
A driver said that, and in that second, their car traveled the length of a football field. People who justify using their phones while driving might also say that holding the phone at the steering wheel level makes it safer.
5. "Yellow means speed up."
These people might just take it as a challenge. But no, yellow doesn't mean "floor it before it turns red." It means you need to slow down and prepare to stop. This is what they teach at the school, but many people conveniently forget.
6. "I'm actually a better driver after a drink or two."
Said every person who wasn't. Driving is not like bowling, where a drink helps you relax and improve your game. Your reaction time is still getting affected by the laws of biology. If someone thinks that drinking gives them driving superpowers, they're way off the mark—and they're putting everyone (including themselves) at risk.
7. "The right lane is for losers."
Occupying the left lane for 10 miles because you're "going to turn left eventually" is not a traffic strategy. It's just making everyone else's drive more frustrating. The left lane is for passing, not for your personal cruise control sanctuary.
8. "I can totally fit in that parking space."
Just because someone says they can squeeze the car into a spot with geometric precision doesn't mean they should do it. If there is a chance of scratching the doors to get out of the car, a good driver will understand that in one look and find another spot.
9. "Merge signs are just suggestions."
If someone waits until the last possible moment to merge, get the hint. It's not "maximizing the use of available road space." This is unsafe driving that makes everyone else's blood pressure spike. And no, forcing your way in while avoiding eye contact with other drivers doesn't make it better.
10. "The GPS said to turn right NOW!"
You see, GPS is not always that accurate, especially if connectivity is an issue. A good driver knows that. So, if someone tries to gear back right away after missing a turn, tell them this: It takes 5 seconds to find a safe place to turn around, which is better than becoming a viral dashboard cam video.
11. "I have perfect vision, so I don't need lights in light rain."
Those who say this are ignoring the fact that light rain can still affect visibility for others trying to see their car. If wipers are on, lights should be too—it's that simple. This is about being seen, not just seeing.
12. "My car handles great in the snow."
All-wheel drive helps you go, not stop. Having a big SUV doesn't make physics take a holiday. When someone brags about their winter driving skills, they probably haven't met black ice yet. Great drivers respect the weather conditions, regardless of their vehicle.
13. "I'm just going around the corner."
The seat belt excuse never gets old. However, crashes don't keep a calendar to see who's making a quick trip. Moreover, most accidents happen close to home, and that "quick run" to the store isn't worth the risk. The belt takes two seconds to click.
14. "My car, my rules"
This is alright until those 'rules' affect everyone else on the road. Playing music so loud you can't hear emergency vehicles or horns is a public safety issue. If you hear this excuse, it's time to remind them that they might own the car, but the road belongs to everyone.
15. "I multitask better than most people."
Any sensible driver would know that eating breakfast, doing makeup, or typing emails while driving is gambling with lives. The human brain can't actually multitask. It just switches between tasks quickly. Even the redlight time demands attention on the road.
16. "Nobody uses their mirrors properly anyway."
Spoiler alert: good drivers do! Just because other drivers forget about their mirrors doesn't make it right. Those little glass rectangles are for knowing what's happening around your vehicle. In fact, you should keep checking them every few seconds.
17. "Other drivers should know what I'm planning."
If they think mind reading is every driver's job, it's possible that they were not paying attention while getting their driver's license. If a driver is changing lanes or turning without signaling because "it's obvious," they are a part of the problem.
18. "That's what insurance is for."
No, insurance does not cover reckless driving, and it's not easy to convince them if carelessness is involved. Insurance is there for accidents, and it does not justify risky behavior. When someone uses this excuse, they're usually about to do something they know isn't safe.
19. "I've never had an accident."
Every accident was someone's first. A great driver knows that past performance doesn't guarantee future results. So, experience should teach caution, not overconfidence. We have not seen tomorrow, and we won't be able to see it unless Elon Musk decides.
20. "These rules are just for new drivers."
Driving laws are not like training wheels. People need to understand that laws don't disappear as you gain more experience. If anything, experienced drivers should set better examples. The rules exist to keep everyone safe, not to upset people who think they've "mastered" driving.
