Attitudes Driving Newsgroups:
What I learned on this journey.
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Newsgroup 1
Subject: Re: Radar Detectors: (Was: Re:
Road rage, drivers tests ect...)
Date: 1998/02/24
"I've been stopped at 'drivers license check points' in Baltimore Maryland and Triangle Virginia. I've heard of them also being set up in Columbia MD and other places around Baltimore. Yeah, sure, I know that they're _really_ sniffing my breath for alcohol. But the legal basis they use for setting up the barricades is a drivers license
I have been stopped in Herndon (Farifax Country VA) and asked if I have had anything to drink, I said no, they waived me through. I don't feel that it was an intrusion onto me rights. I want them to catch drunk drivers more than it bothers me to stop and whip out my licence.
Although I think there should be roads were it is legal to drink and drive... in fact there would be no rules on them... no rules, no cops.. you drive on em.. you take your chances.... NAH IT would never work.. A road with no speed limit.. who would do such crazy shit? [ http://www.dejanews.com/ ]
Comment
I think this responder is being open-minded with letting his imaginations run too wild. He suggests that there should be road for drunk drivers to drive at their own risk. To me, its like giving a murder a gun so he could use it to kill more people. An idea like that is totally absurd. As far as his comment on having police pull over people at random, I think that's a great idea. Maybe then we can have safer roads to drive on without drunk drivers.
According to this posting, I think that our society
has not yet accepted that there are drunk drivers out there. Most of us assume
that we are safe while driving and it is up to the police to do their job by
catching these drunk drivers. I believe that this is up to the individual to
improve their self-witnessing skills on the road. For example, they should be
more aware of what's going on around them, rather than only what's in front of
them.
Newsgroup 2
Subject: Re: Driving in Great Britain
Date: 1998/02/22
At night, British drivers seldom dip their lights for approaching traffic. The glare can get very bad at times.
I learned to drive here in the UK about 2 years ago and I believed the same thing for quite a while. Until an approaching car didn't dip their lights and I realised that most other drivers lights' *were* dipped but still very bright.
Maybe European headlights are brighter than in the US ?
Driving seems to be more aggressive and dangerous in the cities. Personally I try and avoid driving into a city unless it is really necessary.
Comment:
I totally agree with this person that as a driver in the city, you become more aggressive, therefore it can be dangerous. I use to enjoy the fact that driving at 50 mph on the freeway is far better that on a four lane highway in a same town where the speed limit is 35 mph. Since I live in the city, I have no choice to drive through. I wouldn't want to waste my time going through side streets because I'd feel uncomfortable driving through neighborhoods that are unfamiliar.
This posting indicates that driving in different
cultures are different. People are raised in a different way and the rules or
laws are different everywhere. Driving aggressive in the city is a social norm
because most people don't like being in the same area where they work for a
long period of time. I believe that it is an attitude formation because people
when people enter a city, in order for them not to be run over or yelled at,
they must act more aggressive to get their way.
Newsgroup 3
Subject: Re: 65 MPH! The Finally Did it!
Date: 1998/01/26
By which I mean of course, let's all do allw
ecan to stop the very serious social problem of speeding in D.C. "Stop
Speeding NOw" must be our motto. we must denounce speeding, advocate increased
police actions, etc etc. aslo aggressive driving and other bad things. WE CAN
DO IT!! YES!! IN DC!!
We must all obey all the laws all the time. Otherwise, disorder increases -
a very bad situation for driving in dc.
Hey, Gibbous, let me educate you on something. It is socially acceptable to speed. Many of us consider the laws against speeding to be as ridiculous as the laws prohibiting oral sex between two consenting adults.
So you want increased police actions, huh? Okay, yeah, great idea. Let's pull the cops off investigating real crimes, like rape, murder, arson, robbery, assault and the like to write tickets. Oh, that's a really good idea.
And speeding in and off itself is not aggressive driving. Get that straight.
Obey all laws at all times? Yeah, right. Did you know that in some states, it's illegal to have sex on Sundays? Ever violate that law, Gibbous?
Comment
I think that this writer is trying to prove his point about obeying the laws, but I don't agree with him when he mentions that that pulling cops to control the speed limit would affect the real crimes. I think that the police are supposed to be able to handle all crimes. They can't be a two places at a time, but they are always trying their best to help protect the community. About the sex issue, there are different laws in every state. It is your choice whether or not you obey them or not. If you don't, just be ready to pay the consequences if you ever get caught.
According to this posting, this person seems to be
upset because of his last comment, "Ever violate that law, Gibbous?" He is
being sarcasitic to get his point across. This person's personality seems to
be focusing on sex. He has a Freudians way of thinking because he relates
speeding to sex and why both can be a violation of the law.
Newsgroup 4
Subject: Re: car phones
Date: 1998/01/31
Aggressive tailgating can actually reduce the damage in an accident.
And you teach driving? Aggressive tailgating
can *cause* an accident in the first place. I prefer to reduce damage by not
being involved in those situations. And my passengers appreciate that
approach, too.
Comment
I agree with this writer about how tailgating can cause an accident. I've been in situations when I was a passenger who almost had an heart attack because the driver kept tailgating anyone in front of him. I've also seen accidents because of tailgating. If people weren't in a rush all the time to get to where ever they are going maybe we would see less tailgaters on the streets.
This report indicates that his individual is very
aware of what's going on around him or her while on the street. He or she has
repressed to tailgating because this person might have seen or have been in an
accident where someone was tailgating this person. This person seems to try to
avoid situations that might led them into an accident.
Newsgroup 5
Subject: Re: Car Drivers ARE reckless!
Date: 1998/02/05
Yes, alot is being done to catch the aggressive
drivers. Special teams have been formed in many cities to combat the problem.
There is also a campaign to encourage drivers (with cell phones) to report the
aggressive drivers.
Aggressive drivers are a "timebomb" just waiting to explode. And you could be
their next target! (victim) [ ken ]
I propose
that the aggressive drivers should start a campaign to report the people on
the darned phones. With regard to the last sentence, if aggressive drivers
are a timebomb, what are cell phone users (considering that cell phone use is
being shown to correlate with higher accident rates)?
Comment
I agree with this writer about how car phones can be a threat to other drivers. I see a lot of drivers on their car phones who get so wrapped up with their conversations that they don't pay attention to the what's going on on the streets. I agree that cell phones are a timebomb because it bothers the drivers concentration and can lead to an accident at any given time.
This article indicates that our society is becoming
careless with any type of new technology. A good example is car phones. Car
phones are used by many drivers today. In fact, it is becoming a social norm
to use the phone while driving. I believe that people who use car phone while
driving limits their concentration to one thing. Concentrating on the road
should be the number one focus while driving because it can help prevent
accidents from happening.
Newsgroup 6
Subject: Re: Driving in Austin
Date: 1998/02/23
Amen. sounds pretty accurate to me. these are
just about the rudest drivers in the country; or europe, for that matter!
Never been to Boston, have you? Austin drivers are pretty calm and
considerate by comparison.
Since I'm a native Austinite, I thought the same thing the first time I drove in Boston. Then I watched carefully. Boston drivers are aggressive and ruthless... but NOT hostile! There are rules to the madness. Rules like:
-Turn signals are perceived as unnecessary, but
respected if accompanied by decisive driving
-Eye contact is a sign of weakness and causes you to forfeit the right-of-way
-The bumper thats ahead wins, even if its the smaller bumper
BUT- if you "win" an encounter with another driver at one of those crazy junctions where six lanes narrow to two with no pavement markings, the amazing thing is that no grudge is held. The guy won't follow you for blocks just to get another chance to cut you off. He won't ride your butt so close you can see his nose hairs in the rear view mirror. No honking, no high beams in the mirror. You played by the rules, you won, its done, life goes on.
The current crop of transplanted Austin drivers is a FAR cry from that. They're hostile, vindictive, and they DO hold grudges for miles. They don't play by the rules, they bend the rules. BIG difference between here and Boston.
[ Applied Research Laboratories, The University
of Texas at Austin ]
Comment
This writer wants everyone to know that in Austin the drivers there are very good drivers. Are they all that way? I think not. Every town or city has a handful or more drivers that are aggressive or can pose a dangerous threat to other drivers on the road. Boston is a larger and busier city compared to Austin. Of course there is a greater chance of having aggressive driver on the road. Everyone tends to bend the rules sometime, but the fact of the matter is how well they can handle the consequences if any.
This article indicates that our society finds it okay to bend the rules once an a while, just as long as they don't get caught. This reflects a social norm because morally everyone should know what is right and wrong, but it is up to the individual whether or not they are willing to face the consequneces if they get caught. This person seems to be frustrated with other drivers who get away with breaking the law.
Newsgroup 7
Subject: Re: Who are the most arrogant
drivers?
Date: 1998/01/23
I know I sound like a troll, but since this NG
is based on driving then this question should be appropriate.
I'm being serious by the way.
Who do you think are the most arrogant drivers?
I've read articles in Car and Driver, Road and Track, etc sent in complaining
about BMW drivers.
From my experiences, I'd have to say that Honda, Toyota, Nissan drivers are
the most arrogant. Especially the ones that drive Accords and Camrys and
Maximas.
Pretty much the most expensive car drivers tend to think they should own the road; and are the most arrogant. Read BMW & Mercedes, for example (actually, the over-the-top ones like Rolls Royce are so rare I've never noticed them!).
The most aggressive are females under 25, and the most unobservant are SUV drivers.
"A blind man cannot judge the colour of flame."
Comment
Let me start off by saying that I am a female under the age of 25 and I totally disagree with this comment about being an aggressive driver. I am not an aggressive driver. I am a defensive driver who is always aware of what's happening around me. On the other hand, I do agree about the arrogant drivers being those who own expensive cars. They are the very ones who get into more accidents because they are afraid of getting a scratch on their cars. It seems as though they care more about their cars than their own life.
This article indicates that this individual is discrimination or is stereotyping about expensive cars and women drivers. This reflects the individual's personality who is probably letting out personal frustrations he had with people who drove expensive cars or women under the age of 25 because of his comments toward these types of drivers.
Newsgroup 8
Subject: Re: Why can't poeple be nice to learner drivers
Date: 1998/01/21
I generally found driving the US to be much less aggressive than in Europe. People don't seem to have the same ego problems over there.
The driving was not altogether terrible, although some simple thought, like not putting your lights on full beam with oncoming traffic, was completely absent. The most worrying thing was the simple inability of American's in general to even know what a manual car is!
You should try driving in Northern Ireland.
Because of the political troubles over there, the Police have not had the same
focus on road safety - prosecutions, warnings, etc. I think this is a major
reason why the standard is so low. If you can learn restraint on those roads,
you can drive anywhere without ever getting irritated again.
Comment
I think the writer wanted to warn US drivers who plan on driving in Europe and what differences we should be aware of. There are some things that we are accustomed or we expect other drivers to do when driving on the roads. For example, turning down the headlights to on-coming traffic. For US drivers, it is a common courtesy to other drivers who share the road. I guess what the driver wants us to know is the driving etiquette that we have here in America is not the same as other countries.
I think this individual has had bad experiences while driving in Europe. This reflects this individual's personality who is unable to change his ways. He forgets to think about when being in a different country, there are different rules or regulations from the US.
Newsgroup 9
Subject: Re: Road rage, drivers tests ect...
Date: 1998/01/21
Aggressive driving? Certainly -- but POOR aggressive driving on the pickup drivers part. "Road Rage"? I don't know his motivations. Something which requires new laws, penalties, and crackdowns? Certainly not. Had a cop actually seen the incidents, they'd have been covered under existing laws (speeding, tailgating, illegal use of high beams, etc).
*dreamy sigh*
How I'd LOVE to see a cop pull someone over for tailgating. But I never have
yet. Even when there are both cops and tailgaters around.
I was exiting off one highway onto another with a woman riding my bumper. I've never been tailgated that closely before (though some of the folks who needed the extra two seconds came close).
Imagine my total surprise when I checked the rear view mirror, and saw that BOTH of her hands were off the steering wheel as she fussed with her hair. Around a curve. Riding my bumper. At 55-60 MPH. Still trying to figure out what she was using to steer with.
*George Carlin once noted that "Anyone who drives slower than you is a moron, anyone who drives faster than you is a maniac".
Yeah, that sums it up very nicely ;)
I'm also trying to figure out the motivation of people who whip around you solely for the sake of being able to jam on the breaks at the red light ahead....
Comment
The writer of this response is trying to tell us that tailgaters have always been a problem on the roads. There are too many of them who get away and continue to do it again. Are they trying to get caught or what? I agree with this writer that we need more police to monitor the roads. Tailgaters have been a factor in causing accidents and if they can catch them, maybe it would teach them a lesson to not tailgate anymore
This article indicates that our society is very hypocritical when it comes to law enforcement. Some want more law enforcement and some feel that it is not necessary. This individual seems to be thinking of herself. I think that this person wants to see justice served to drivers who deserve it and she is frustrated with the system being unfair. I believe that being in the wrong place at the wrong time or right place the right time is the only way cops will crack down on these drivers.
Newsgroup 10
Date: 1998/01/31
Nope. Speeding isn't unsafe.
Of course not. Those NASCAR drivers take all those precautions just in case an Aggie should wander onto the track. It has absolutely nothing to do with speed at all.
Now come on Earl. If
No ifs. Why do you suppose they wear all that stuff?
Because it is expected that they will make aggressive contact with other vehicles while going 200+mph.
Comment:
The writer here is trying to prove his point about NASCAR drivers taking all the precautions when speeding at 200+mph. I agree with the person who responded to this because he makes the writer aware that these drivers wear gear to protect themselves and these drivers were aware before hand what kind of precautions they would need to take. Being on a race track is far more different than being on streets in the city. One big factor is the speed limit is far less than on a race track.
The article indicates that our society has learned to accept that within certain areas, drivers are allowed to speed, but under precautions to the drivers as well as the audience. This reflects a social norm to speed in restricted areas because the drivers are expected to know the consequences.
Comparisons with Classmates
After reading the newsgroup files of my fellow classmates, I felt somewhat intimidated by some. Once again, I kept my report as simple as possible. I was impressed by the creativity their reports. They added graphics, they were well organized, for example, their reports included useful information, their information was clear and straight to the point. In content, their reports were well expressed. Most of the postings were short and their reactions reflected their true feelings. For approach, their reports were also as followed in the directions. No one seemed to go beyond what was expected, expect when expressing their reactions. For presentation, I thought everyone (the one's I seen) was very well done. They went beyond what was required by adding in colorful backgrounds and fonts to make it more appealing to the eyes.
Conclusion
For the future generations, my report is simple and easy to understand. If you want to stick to the very basics of doing a report, my report is a good example. I hope my report has helped you understand what newsgroups are all about and how they can express simple ideas to the world and get feedback for all over the world. There are no limits to what can be discussed in newsgroups. I thought if I had more time, I could do a more creative job with this report. If you have any suggestions, e-mail me and I'll take into consideration of your suggestions.