Five Things Michigan Drivers Are Doing Wrong. Are you Guilty?

Except for four years, I’ve lived in Mid-Michigan all my life. When I lived out of town and would come home to visit, I noticed things that drivers didn’t seem to do elsewhere. I mean where else in the Midwest do you see people hit the state line and take off like a bat out of hell? I’ve compiled my list of things I can’t stand that drivers do wrong, and it’s always in Michigan!

Go the Speed Limit

In Michigan, all unmarked residential roads are 25 miles per hour, while unmarked country roads are 55. If you’re not going to go the speed limit and have what looks like a freight train of vehicles behind you, for the love of God please pull over and let them pass. Or even better, just go the speed limit! You may need to push harder on the accelerator (it’s the long pedal on the right).

Misusing The Left Turn Lane

The Left Turn/Center Lane is designed to allow traffic to get into the left turn lane and allow thru traffic to proceed without obstruction. When you pull out of a parking lot onto a road with a center turn lane, you are supposed to turn and merge directly into the thru lanes, not set up shop in the center lane waiting for a clearing in traffic. You should wait for a clearing both ways and stay out of the center lane when you turn. I hate it when I’m trying to get into the left turn lane and someone pulling out from the other side of the road blocks the lane. Stop doing it! It’s not cool!!

Getting the Hang of Roundabouts

Roundabouts have been popping up all over Genesee County, and the entire state of Michigan for the last decade or so. But it’s obvious that roundabouts were not a standard part of Driver’s Training until recently. For those that don’t know how they work, and as much as I hate them, here’s what you need to do: Don’t stop unless there is a vehicle prohibiting you from entering the roundabout. Proceed with caution and simply yield to traffic in the roundabout, not traffic a half-football field away. Then just go into the round about until your ‘exit’. Did you miss your turn out of the roundabout? No worries, you’re going in a circle, and you can try the next time around.

The Passing Lane

It’s one thing if you’ve got your cruise control set, and shift lanes based on your speed… but please shift lanes based on you speed! On the freeway, or any two-lane highway, pay attention! If you’re doing the speed limit you should stay in the middle lane if there are three lanes and the right lane if there are only two. Out of courtesy, don’t pass another 'slow-moving vehicle’ if you’re going to slow down the flow of traffic. The only exception to this is when there is an emergency vehicle on the side of the road. You should be at least one lane away from the road hazard.

Cutting Off Other Drivers

This is the most frustrating thing on my list. I can’t stand it when I am traveling at speed, and someone decides to pull out right in front of me. If that’s not bad enough, they don’t even go at the posted speed. To make it worse there was no one behind me. Why was there such an urgency to pull in front of me? If you’re going to pull out in front of someone, at least do the speed limit.

Do you agree with my list, or do you have something to add? Chime in with your thoughts on The Cars Morning Drive, or on the Cars 108 app.