I've been driving for a year now, and it is mind boggling to me how many people do not follow the basic rules of the road. It's even worse in Metro Atlanta. If everyone would abide by these concepts, it would reduce the number of car crashes and headaches.

1. If you drive slowly, stay in the right lane.

To clarify, by slow I mean the speed limit or slower. Slightly over the speed limit is also considered slow on busy roads, so it’s best to just watch the flow of traffic. I understand that some people want to take it easy. I also understand that some people are paranoid about speeding tickets and the like. Luckily, there is a place for this. It is the right lane. Unless you have a left turn approaching, please be considerate to all of us that are trying their hardest to get to class/work/everything else on time and stay in the right lane.

I am a very driven, and busy, type A. If you follow this, I thank you.

2. If you are making a two-lane left turn where the right lane promptly ends, do not pass the long line and then expect to be let in the lane after the turn.

You and I both know that the lane ends. You think you can outsmart everyone and play this little game. However, unless it is completely convenient for me (aka I don’t have to slow down whatsoever) and I am feeling nice, I will happily pass you while you are trying to get into the single lane.

There is a 90% you’re on your routine commute and knew this would happen, so you’ll just have to wait till we all pass you. If it isn’t, sorry but you should know something is up when 7 of us are in the first lane and none are in the second.

3. If you are first or second at a light, it is your special duty to pay attention.

You don’t get the privilege of relaxing unless you are a few cars back. If you choose to hesitate at the light, chances are you’ll be beeped at. It’s just a given.

As first in line, you are the designated leader. Lead us well.

4. Trucks/large vans/tractor trailers are NOT ALLOWED to be in the left lane.

Hauling a boat? Driving a moving truck for your house? Maybe working for FedEx? The right lane is your friend. The left lane is not, unless you plan on hauling ass along with whatever you are physically hauling (and that is not safely recommended… so just stay in the right lane.)

5. Know when to brake and when not to.

This one is serious. It is not only an annoyance when someone doesn’t brake well- but it can cause huge car crashes. Look ahead!!! If you see everyone is stopped please gradually slow down. There have a been a few frightening times (specifically on Barrett Parkway) where the cars in front of me went into a complete stop when we were going 50+ miles per hour. I have had a few close calls. The light was not red in these occasions by the way. It was the failure of those in front of me to see the cars ahead not moving.

Also, you all know that breaking reduces MPG right?? Stop tapping on your breaks all the freaking time! Big pet peeve! I’m trying to avoid wasting my gas and ruining my brakes

6. Stopping at red lights and stop signs ARE NOT OPTIONAL.

A victim of a disobeyed red light was my poor Camry. It was totaled after a man driving a mini U-Haul didn’t see the light was red. You have to pay attention to lights (especially when driving a freaking U-Haul).

Also included this is flooring it for a yellow light when you are far away. If you are too close to an intersection to safely stop, that is when you go through the light. Not when you think you can make it through without hitting anyone.

Lastly, can we stop this trend of blindly following huge trucks through lights?? If you can’t see the light, do not go through it! I don’t care if you have to slow down traffic. I have seen way too many cars follow a big vehicle and go through a blatantly red light (to the point where oncoming cars had to wait even though their light was green.)

7. Turn signals only work when you turn them on in advance.

Imagine if there was this thing that could communicate to other drivers what your next move is. Oh wait we already have that! It’s your turn signal! And it only works when you turn it on BEFORE you change lanes/start your turn.

8. Do not block intersections/other roads

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Just because you are sitting in traffic doesn’t mean you can block entrances to other establishments or other roads people may try to get onto/out of. It causes all sorts of issues. Don't believe me? Keep blocking other roads and wait until a line builds up. You'll have a group of angry people just staring at you. Leave a space for it.