Relatable Drivers
The open road can tell you a lot about a person, and there are certain driver archetypes that any road user can identify. We’ve all met them. The joyrider speeding through school zones, the timid learner driver, and the overly aggressive tailgater are just some of the road types you’re sure to encounter if you spend any length of time behind the wheel. So with that in mind, here are 20 relatable driver types for the wrong and right reasons.
1. The Tailgater
This driver tailgates you, thinking they can push you to go faster. They have a hard time backing off, and they can unnerve even the most assertive driver. This type of driver can create a very hostile and dangerous environment on the road.
2. The Sunday Driver
Slow, careful, and blissfully unaware, the Sunday Driver sees every drive as a parade. They never go more than 20 mph over the limit, and they cautiously creep into every intersection. You have to be patient with them, or you'll feel the rage.
3. On the Phone
Half paying attention to the road, this driver is always on their phone. Texting, social media, or calls are more important than traffic signs and pedestrians. Their distracted driving is reckless and leads to more accidents.
4. Road Rager
Road Ragers are easily provoked and go on the attack when faced with the slightest annoyance. Horn blasting, screaming, and reckless driving are their trademarks. Navigating near a Road Rager calls for great patience and a relaxed mental state.
5. The GPS Driver
This driver won't trust their own intuition and just follows the GPS blindly. They panic if it's off by a block or signals a detour. It makes them take some ungainly or circuitous routes.
6. Still Learning
The driver is still gaining confidence; this driver is very careful and unsure. They may be overly cautious and over-think every action. Merging, changing lanes, or parking can all be big issues. Although some may find this very frustrating, it can help them avoid crashes.
7. Car Show Enthusiast
Every trip is an opportunity to show off their ride. Cruising slow, unnecessary revving, and showing off can be a distraction to other drivers. They focus more on style rather than efficiency or road safety.
8. The Speed Demon
This person is always living on the edge. Driving in and out of traffic with just a few seconds to spare. They love the adrenaline rush and do not care much about speed limits, making other drivers nervous. It is fun to watch from a distance, but another matter when driving with them.
9. The Lane Hopper
Zigzagging from lane to lane, this driver is convinced they can always find the fastest lane. Unpredictable, it's hard to know where they will end up next. Sure, they are saving time, but they are causing congestion and frustration for all.
10. Overly Polite
They stop for everyone, wave too much, and let you merge when you don't need to. Their intentions are good, but this driver can really clog traffic. They're over-politely considerate, and it can try your patience.
Now that we talked about drivers we hate, here are 10 types we probably recognize in ourselves.
1. Forgetting the Blinker
We like to think that we are diligent drivers, but we all forget to use our blinker sometimes. That one time when you forgot to signal can make other motorists nervous or cause petty road rage. It is a harmless but very common driving mistake.
2. Shifting Speeds
We are either too nervous or a tad reckless, depending on the road or our mood. One second we're crawling, the next we're speeding to get back on track. We've all been both drivers.
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3. Never Satisfied
Fiddling with mirrors and checking blind spots. We all do it more than we need to. Can't help ourselves. It still feels good even when we don't need to. Safety first. Or at least, we say we are.
4. Backseat Driver
We’ve all been in the passenger seat lecturing other drivers on what to do. It’s somehow both satisfying and ironic to point out other people’s mistakes or offer advice you don’t need. We all secretly play the backseat authority.
5. Singing on Road Trips
When we're in the driver's seat, singing along to the radio or belting out a tune at full volume, music makes us a different person. For a little while, we're the star of the show, and we don't even notice how much time or distance has passed. It's everyone's guilty pleasure when driving.
6. The Drifter
We have all gripped a coffee mug while cruising through traffic, trying to balance caffeine and control. Spills and near-disasters are frequent, but the drink is worth the risk. This driver type is both relatable and slightly chaotic.
7. Where to Park?
We have all, at some point in our lives, done numerous attempts to squeeze into a parallel park or a tight spot. It is a challenge and can make one feel small, and it happens to the best of us from time to time. All motorists can relate to this scenario.
8. Super Cautious Merger
We often stop too long when getting onto a highway or into traffic. You can hold up traffic and get beeps if you're too "safe." All good drivers have done this at least once.
9. The Explorer
Drivers everywhere take the occasional wrong turn or scenic route, just to see where it leads. Adventure always trumps practicality for me. Why go the direct route, when you can have a little fun rebellion?
10. To Brake or Not to Brake
We brake just a hair later than we should. Testing the water, to see how close the car in front will let us get. Fun and a little scary; just a touch of anarchy. Most drivers will secretly confess that they do it too.
