Clueless drivers need to pay more attention

Everyone's got their pet peeves.

Mine seem to focus more often than not on other people's driving.

The thing that irks me the most is when a vehicle pulls out in front of me, forcing me to slam on the brakes and make my life flash before my eyes. Then that motorist proceeds to drive only a short way before turning off again, usually without turn signals.

Most of the time, I'm the only vehicle in sight, yet some hurried driver can't wait the extra two seconds until the coast is clear.

It's even worse when the roads are bad. A few weeks ago, while negotiating ice and slush on U.S. 93, a hummer with Texas plates pulled off a side street in front of me, causing me to swerve and nearly hit a light pole. I know they say, "Don't mess with Texas," but come on - if you've moved to the Flathead from a southern clime, please understand that no one can stop on a dime when the roads are icy.

And just because your car, or armored vehicle, rather, is bigger than mine, doesn't give you the right to put my life at risk.

America's supersized vehicles are another pet peeve. I say this with some caution because my own husband drives an extended-cab pickup and I know such vehicles are necessary for those of us who haul firewood, lumber or other cumbersome items on a regular basis.

But I can't help but think we'd be in less of an energy crunch if more of us drove smaller cars or hybrids.

My modest Dodge Neon gets me back and forth from Kalispell to Whitefish for about $35 to $40 a week, not that I'm bragging. For commuting purposes, it's just fine. I, too, drove bigger vehicles (minivans) when my kids were growing up and I needed to haul half a softball team here or there.

Gas guzzling aside, monster pickups also are annoying when they're parked in spots marked for "compact cars only." In downtown Whitefish, for example, it's impossible to see around the lanky vehicles when you're crossing Central Avenue. I quietly applauded City Council member Shirley Jacobson's recent suggestion that oversized pickups be banned from downtown. Her proposal fell flat, but I give her credit for even bringing it up.

And here's another thing. The law dictates that drivers pull over to let emergency vehicles pass, yet I constantly see oblivious motorists who don't get out of the way.

I have a lot of other issues with fellow drivers:

. Tailgaters are just plain rude. Pass me already or back off.

. Cell-phone use in heavy traffic. I'll admit I've used my cell phone in the car on occasion, but it's always on an open stretch of road. People who are chattering away or texting while trying to make a left-hand turn at a busy intersection aren't just rude - they're idiots.

. Beating the stoplight. It's one thing to sprint across an intersection when the light is yellow, but I've seen as many as four cars race across after the light has turned to red. Accidents waiting to happen, I say.

There are so, so many annoyances out there on the roads.

People who throw still-lit cigarette butts out the window, people trying to eat a Big Mac while they're behind the wheel, people who don't wait their turn at four-way stops, motorcyclists who believe there's a third lane called the center line, and hasty drivers in general. I've had people pass me at full speed not on the left, but the right side of U.S. 93.

It's no wonder road rage is running rampant out there. Road & Travel Magazine said a recently released national survey showed that when a driver "gets the finger," is cut off or tailgated, 50 percent of the victims respond with horn honking, yelling, cutting-off and obscene gestures of their own.

People, I implore you. Slow down, pay attention and be nice to one another out there. Now that I've got that off my chest, I feel better. Think I'll go for a drive.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com