If you’ve driven across Lubbock for more than five minutes–whether it’s the Loop, 19th Street, or that special brand of chaos known as ALL OF MILWAUKEE AVENUE…you’ve probably developed a sixth sense.
Good drivers in Lubbock don’t just drive: They spot bad drivers from a mile away. And honestly, it might be less of a talent and more of a survival skill.
READ MORE: Exploring Lubbock’s Truck Culture Through Vehicle Sales
Someone recently asked the internet a simple question:
“What’s the first sign you notice that someone is a bad driver?”
The answers? Painfully accurate… especially if you’ve ever driven anywhere in the Hub City.
The Confidence vs. Awareness Problem
One of the most popular responses summed it up perfectly:
“Overconfidence mixed with zero awareness.”
You know this driver. They’re bold. They’re decisive. They’re also absolutely clueless. In Lubbock, this often shows up as someone barreling through traffic like they’re the main character–while everyone else slams on their brakes.
The Turn They Will Never Miss
Another classic response:
“A good driver sometimes misses their turn. A bad driver never misses their turn.”
If you’ve ever watched someone cut across three lanes on Slide Road because they refused to miss a turn, congratulations–you’ve witnessed elite Lubbock bad-driver behavior.
On-Ramps, Speed, and Panic
This one hits close to home:
Not accelerating to highway speed on the on-ramp
Constant speeding up and slowing down
Hard braking at every stop
If you’ve ever merged onto the Loop behind someone going 45 with traffic flying past at 70, you felt that fear in your soul. And your horn probably had ZERO effect.
The Universal Red Flags
Some signs of a bad driver are timeless, no matter where you live–but you see them a lot around town:
Bonus points if they do all three at once.
“It’s the Car’s Fault” (Apparently)
One response simply said:
“They’re driving a Nissan.”
Others nominated Teslas or Ram trucks, which feels like the internet doing what it does best. Fair? Debatable. Funny? Absolutely.
The Passenger Tells the Story
One of the most relatable answers:
“When the passenger-side ‘oh crap’ handle is worn.”
Also mentioned: A worn spot on the floor where the passenger’s been slamming their imaginary brake pedal for years. If your car tells a story of fear–that’s not a great sign.
Lane Drifting = Phone Scrolling
Another major red flag:
Drifting out of the lane, then jerking back suddenly. Repeatedly.
That’s usually someone more focused on their phone than the road–a move that turns any Lubbock drive into a defensive-driving obstacle course.
The Final Boss of Bad Driving
And then there’s this one:
“They crashed into a stationary car.”
At that point, no explanation is needed. In Lubbock, they like to slam into buildings and houses as well!
Lubbock Drivers, Stay Sharp
Driving in Lubbock means dealing with construction, college traffic, wide roads that invite chaos, and the occasional mystery maneuver that makes you question everything.
READ MORE: Only in Lubbock: Women, Football, and a Fight Against Alzheimer’s
The good news? If you recognize these signs instantly…you’re probably doing something right.
The bad news? You’re going to see all of them on your next trip across the Hub City.
Car Colors Matter for Resale in Lubbock
Gallery Credit: Landon King
Which annual event in Lubbock do you look forward to the most?
Gallery Credit: Landon King