Outline of My Fifth Additional Outline

The Road Rage Spectrum

This is a presentation of “Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare”; Written by Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl; Published by Prometheus Books, 2000; Pages 97-108; Web Link: www.DrDriving.org

By: Constance J.K. DeCaires

 

I. Automotive Vigilante

            A. The automotive vigilante is one who is a bully and aggresses against other motorists,          chosen at random or for some specific reason, with a constant stream of verbal abuse,           offensive gestures, and threatening maneuvers with the vehicle, sometimes going to extreme vehicle violence.

            B. Such an incident occurred to my boyfriend just after he had bought a used, lowered, black 1994 Honda.  Reason for targeting is probably due to the type of car being driven        by my   boyfriend, as it looked like a “racing” type of vehicle the aggressor assumed so          and acted upon him.  The vigilante was later caught and taken in to custody.

            C. Are you a vigilante?  Has this ever happened to you?

 

II. Scofflaw

            A. A person who flouts a law, especially an unsustainable one

            B. It also refers to the cynicism on the roads and the automatic disregard for certain       traffic laws, regulations and signs.

                        -entitled to break regulations

                        -compulsive rebellions

                        -stopping at a red light or stop sign is a sign of weakness, in that you’re bowing                          down and obeying the law.

            C. Do you fall victim to such peer pressure or thoughts?

 

III. Real World Driving Tips

            A. Here is what you can do if you’re raged upon:

                        -Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver.

                        -Don’t take your eyes off the road.

                        -Consider the effect of your driving on others.

                        -If you’re followed, either drive to the nearest police station or call dispatch at                           911 on your cell phone.

                        -Keep away from erratic drivers.

                        -Understand that you can’t control traffic, only your reaction to it.

                        -Stay cool- turn on your air conditioning.

                        -Driving is transportation, not competition.  Want to compete?  Find a race track.

                        -Go with the flow, no matter how slow.

 

Helpful Links:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/wwsco2.htm

http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/p-drv.html

http://www.sos.state.il.us/publications/rr/rr_chap10.html

 

Home page:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409af2004/decaires/home.htm