Why Do People Speed Through Busy Parking Lots?

Why do drivers speed through busy parking lots? Google doesn't seem to know why, but it's SO dangerous to everyone--peds can get hit, people backing out might not see them, and property can get damaged. Most accidents occur in parking lots, so why do people go out of their way to be a menace to other people by being so reckless?

What are your pet peeves of other drivers on the road?

Sometimes I scream, "thank you for not looking!" at drivers when I'm crossing the road.

And sometimes I tell people, "thank you for plowing through me instead of saying excuse me" when people are jerks IN THE STORE after I nearly get run over trying to get INTO the store.

People are always annoyed at me for going the speed limit (no more than 10 mph in parking lots), but I'd rather be safe.

I watch the Bad Driving youtubes - people admit they just dont pay attention while they are driving.

Indeed that is a good question speeding through parking lots is a very common thing over here too.

Another reason too, is if some drivers can take a quick shortcut to avoid the red traffic light at the intersection they were just approaching, they might whip through a car park to beat the traffic lights. I've seen that many times. Silly and dangerous.

Tailgating is the worst!! Seeing people speed on a street where people walk or kids may play!!

Yes I go the speed limit too, unless it’s the highway, then it’s ok to go a few miles per hour over the speed limit. I’m careful and got a ticket once when didn’t realize not allowed to turn right at a particular light. Then another time was new and didn’t know the highway speed limit and received a ticket. Try to always be careful and pay attention to the road, other drivers. Do cuss at other drivers who often really irritate me.

Thanks, LL for bringing this up. I'm relieved I'm not the only one who gets really irritated by these behaviours. It bugs me more now because I'm slowing down. My knees are not what they used to be, and I can't dodge and weave like I used to.

I don't know what's going through their minds, but it's definitely not courtesy or safety.

What irks me is that because of bad speeding drivers in parking lot’s someplaces now put irritating high speed bumps that everyone has to drive over. In someplace’s they spit speed bumps on the roads too. 😡

Yeah I definitely go the speed limit. There's something nice about driving the speed limit. Like I know some people are generally in a hurry, but I'm not about to risk my life because I'm late to some appointment or something.

Safe driving and Defensive Driving are definitely the way to go! Practicing this has saved my life, and very likely others, on several memorable occasions.

I've seen that too. Or through gas stations, especially if the right lane isn't just for right turns only, but to also go straight.


Sorry to hear that. But also glad it's not just an American thing which I thought it was. People are always in a hurry: They drive fast, walk fast, talk fast, etc. Auto repair place might advertise "10 minute oil change." Geez, I'm not in THAT much of a hurry.

Yes it IS! Happens to me all the time. Not only is it annoying but dangerous, as they could plow into me if I stop suddenly! One time I was on a curvy, 1 lane road that had no lights or stop signs for at least 2 miles. I had a convoy of cars behind me but there was no where for me to pull over so they could pass.

And if they risked going around me anyway, they could have a head on collision with opposing traffic. Since it was a "blind" corner, I wasn't going to go FAST. (And that wastes more gas too, and I don't want to do THAT) And even though there was undeveloped land on both sides, I was still afraid I might run into (literally) someone on a bike or a pedestrian in spite of no sidewalks.

My heart was pounding and I was SO RELIEVED when it became 2 lanes again. Of course those cars whizzed by me then.

And not even speed bumps or those "dips" slow people down enough.

I try not to drive unless I have to. Been driving 45 years and it didn't use to be this way. It seems everyone goes fast now, not just some people like when I started driving.

Yes, people are very impatient in Houston. And they don't use red light cameras, so they run red lights a lot.

We have them here too, especially at busy intersections. But it doesn't stop people. I see people run them all the time, both as a driver and a pedestrian.

When I walk and need to cross the street, even if I have the right of way I make sure drivers stop. Just cause they see me doesn't mean they will. I've had drivers make a right turn right in front of me. Drivers making left turns as just as bad, as they are trying to beat the oncoming traffic and have practically run me over. One time I had to run because it seemed like this ***** was coming right at me. And another time one had to nerve to honk and yell out her window at me to "hurry up".

And when did brake-checking become a thing to do? Are people insane? Ive only seen it on youtube but thats because ive stopped driving.

Do you mean riding the brakes?

Yeah they do that and maybe it's to keep tailgaters off their tail! I sometimes slow down when people ride my bumper or tailgate. They immediately go around me.

Sometimes I'll get behind something going slow (like a catering truck or city maintenance truck) on purpose, since I know impatient people will go around BOTH of us. And that's what I want.

No, i mean when they zip in front of somebody who they perceive has slighted them in terms of road courtesy and JAM on their brakes.

I look at being on the road as a ballet - i want all the other dancers a good space around me, so at any time i can take an evasive move in any direction, front, rear, and sides. Maybe its more like chess?!

Maybe so, as chess requires advance planning and anticipation of what your opponent(s) will do, as well as being prepared for the unexpected! A lot like driving.....it's stressful and I allow a LOT of extra time to get to my destination. Sometimes it's road work which causes traffic jams...and speaking of speeding people speed past construction work too.

I've had people cut me off only to arrive at the same red light I'm approaching. Or if I'm in the right lane to turn right, they will zip into the left lane and get in front of me, in the right lane again, only to turn right like I'm doing anyway! Makes no sense.

Interesting. I'm terrible at chess and not a good driver either.

Hope you don't tailgate or cut people off! As in chess, I try to anticipate what another driver is going to do.....

I never actually played chess but have heard it is hard to learn, as each piece can only do certain moves. A match can last hours and I know they have tournaments too.

Sort of wanted to learn a few years ago but found it too hard. I do like the way the pieces look though.

Like Rainman, i'm an excellent driver! But i never had the patience to learn chess. I dont really like games, altho i can still get sucked into a night of card playing or bingo or Monopoly or Scrabble.

I used to play Monopoly as a kid, and until recently I played Scrabble regularly. I do like games, mostly "thinking" games or ones that require strategy (as long as it's not too hard like chess!).

The moves in chess are pretty straight forward what got me was all the strategy that they expected you to remember. Names of players and the moves they made, just play the game. However 3D chess was too complicated for me, cool as heck, but complicated. I used to buy old games from goodwill. I had a cool collection of games including one that was for ESP. One player help one of three objects behind their back and the other players had to guess. I think that one was from the 60’s. I think my favorite was trivial pursuit.

…..or maybe life, that could be fun.

I learned the rules easily enough and can play. But I don't strategize or think far enough ahead to actually win.