Attitudes Driving Newsgroups
Insane... What's that?
Instructions For
This Report
Aggressive Drivers
on I-495 Beltway
"Aggressive Drivers"
or MORON DRIVERS!
USA Today "Road
Rage" Article
Lousy Drivers
(people) On Roads
Power Dressing And
Road Rage
My Research Shows...
Funny Story... Bike
Gets Back
Photo Radar Defense
Myth And Facts of
Speeding
Road Warriors
Beware!!!
Road Rage-Prevention
Better Than Cure
How To Prevent Road
Rage
Solution To road
Rage? No,
Opinions On My
Classmates Reports
Suggestions For
Future Generations
Comments
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Aggressive Drivers On I-495 Beltway
Subject: Re: Aggressive drivers on I-495 beltway
Date: 1997/06/09
I drive on I-495 to work every day and I am getting tired of aggressive drivers. The speed limit on beltway I-495 is 55mph but, EVERYONE goes 80 (eighty). I try to go as close to the speed limit as I can, but it is nearly impossible, even in the right lane. Everyone here speeds.
The thing that's missing in this thread is any sort of common courtesy or common sense from either side. Personally, I feel safe at 120 mph if the traffic flows like it does on the Autobahn. Here in the US, I rarely go past 80. This fact, however does _not_ give me the right to tailgate, or otherwise try to intimidate slower drivers to move out of my way.
OTOH, slower drivers do _not_ have the right to try to be a vigilante and enforce speed laws while driving in the left lane because "it's the law," and "my tax dollars" pay for the road. Those who do are as big an A-hole as the aggressive drivers.
You know what, 90% of the drivers on the Beltwaty are A-holes! The speeders, the left lane hogs, the aggressive drivers, the vigilantes, even the cops! That's the problem. It's not the fact that most people feel how they drive is safer, it's the fact that they feel they are so in the right about how everyone else should drive, that they're willing to endanger everyone to prove it!
If someone's in your way, back off and wait for a safe opportunity to pass. If someone wants to pass you, get out of the way. It's that simple, and it has nothing to do with the speed limit. The excuses that the Beltway is too crowded, has too many exits and entrances, too many lanes, whatever... are just that, excuses! Sections of the Autobahn near big cities have similar layouts.
We don't drive like we're in a race for Christ's sake, we drive like we're at war with each other! Most of us are civilized, friendly people in person, but put us in a car on the Beltway and we turn into a cluster grouping of giant A-holes!
On my drive home from work, for example, a 4 lane road merges down to 2 lanes. I've nearly been killed (actually forced onto a gravel shoulder used by pedestrians and cyclists) by idiots fighting for position at the merge point who've crossed into the oncoming lane rather than back off and lose a position. The frightening thing about it is that traffic slows to a crawl at rush hour at this merger, so that position probably equates to about a saving of 2-3 seconds in the daily commute home. For that, people are willing to kill each other. What the hell are people thinking??
This kind of behavior is what is so dangerous on the highway; the self-righteous bunker mentality of the speeders _and_ the do-gooders. Folks, if your not a cop, it's not your place to enforce traffic laws! Move over and let the speeder go before you agitate someone into a rage! If you're not an emergency vehicle, it's not your place to curse every left lane bandit and weave around slower traffic endangering others! Patiently wait your turn. If you're late for work, you should have left earlier. If you can't handle the speed in the left lane, you should be in the right.
In either case, if you can't respect the rights, differences in driving skill, and driving preferences of others, you should (as Dennis Miller says) "lean into the strike zone and take one for the team!"
My comments:
This article displays the fact that Road rage is common in many areas Nationwide. I believe that R. Katona has many interesting, yet desired views on dealing with road rage. In his second paragraph he states that, "the thing that is missing in this thread is any sort of common courtesy or common sense from either side." I believe that this is true. We must be considerate to others, as well as to ourselves. The third paragraph firmly suggests that slower drivers (drivers that drive at or slightly above the speed limit), do not have the right to try to be a vigilante and enforce the speed laws just because, "it's the law, and my tax dollars pay for the road." In general, I feel that we can't change the aggressive drivers or the law-abiding drivers by endangering others. We can only change our driving styles through self-modification and hopefully the other drivers will learn better driving skills too.
"Aggressive Drivers" or MORON DRIVERS!
Subject: Re: New
Debate: "Aggressive Drivers" or MORON DRIVERS!
Date: 1997/08/23
You need to take a step back and take a good look at how you approach driving. I'm sure you don't mean it this way, but it sounds a lot like you're trying excuse people's incompetence and when lives are at stake. I just don't buy that. I'll take an 'aggressive driver' over an incompetent driver any day of the week. Aggressive drivers are simple to deal with. Just move over for about 10 seconds and they're out of your hair.
I do not excuse incompetence, and I do not excuse drivers who are just not paying attention. I simply state fact: There are MILLIONS of poor drivers out there, people who were taught to drive by their parents, who are simply handing down bad driving habits. That's a fact. They're there, and you (as "superior driver") have to deal with it. HOW you deal with it defines what kind of driver (and what kind of person) you are. I prefer a "professional" approach to an "aggressive" approach. Like I say, Aunt Dolores can do 55 in the left lane, and I'll just wait for my opening. I fully understand that Dolores is not comfortable at speeds over 55, and she shouldn't be over there in the first place. Rather than rant and rave, I'll simply bide my time and get around her eventually. No hurry.
If you want the "right" to speed, then you must also defend another person's "right" to NOT speed.
The fact is the passing lane system is set up specifically to deal with this. It lets everyone select the speed they are comfortable with and allows traffic to maintain effective flow. Squatting in the left lane destroys this entire system and causes a whole host of negative side effects (tailgating being one of many). That is why so many people are upset with left land bandits. Including me.
It almost looks like you're blaming tailgating on "left lane squatters" there. That's where I draw the line. There are NO situations where tailgating is justified (other than NASCAR races), and tailgating is the ONE thing on the roads that gets me crazy. You seem to want some kind of Utopia out there, where all traffic moves smoothly, everyone cooperates, and traffic parts like the Red Sea when you come up at 75mph. See this is where I have my problem. I have yet to see this road, don't know what state it's in, and wouldn't believe it if I saw it. Also, I would bet real money that it's your "Aggressive Drivers" (god I hate that term) who are doing more to disrupt traffic than Aunt Dolores.
Every traffic situation presents its own unique paradigm. (Puts on professor's cap.) As a "superior driver", you should be aware of this. You talk about the morning commute; well of COURSE nobody's paying attention! You know this. You're the "superior driver". Deal with it.
Stop blaming everyone else. If the situation dictates that you stay in your lane, catch the red light, allow someone to pull out in front of you, then what's the big deal? And on that morning in the summer when it seems that everyone's on vacation and the road is free and clear, sit back and enjoy it.
I drive a Mustang. I must look like a total moron when I drive that car, 'cause I'm always smiling. With a Mustang, I don't have to Road Rage all the time, I can let people turn in front of me, I can stop and let pedestrians cross the street, I can allow another car to change lanes and get in front of me (as long as he asks with his blinker, of course), and life is good. I tell my 17yo son, that unless I'm going to the Emergency Room, there is no call to be rude on the roadway.
I think I'm right.
My comments:
Personally, I feel that this article makes a lot of sense. The third paragraph says it all, "If you want the right to speed, then you must also defend another person's right not to speed." I believe that this statement might be the basic idea in which all forms of conflict may me solved. You have the freedom to do what you want and they have the freedom to do what they want (within reason of course.) In other words, you might not respect the another person's ideas or actions, but you have no right to force your ideas onto them.
USA Today "Road Rage"
Subject: Re: USA
Today "Road Rage" article
Date: 1997/08/07
·But my acid test as to whether I am affecting other drivers is to ask myself "would I be bothered by someone driving like me if I were them?" Most often the answer is no.
That is also my acid test. There are a number of maneuvers that I almost never perform (in traffic :-), including quick multiple lane changes and crossing the gore(?) in a merge lane (i.e. merging early). In some cases, I don't think the maneuver is aggressive, but I think other drivers might become nervous if they see it.
I have to admit crossing the "bumpies" (gore) often on my morning commute entrance to I-495N. When I'm, following a slow line on the ramp and we bend around and I see virtual emptiness on the 3 laner behind, I can't resist. I'm usually riding a 3000+ on the tach in 3rd and the ramp and the following interstate are downhill. I'll blast over three lanes wide and rip up the left lane to leave as much pavement as possible for the rest of the cars to sort themselves out. So I ask myself "how have I affected anyone?" So what if they think I'm aggressive? Have I encroached on anyone's safety space or cut any one off? No. The only time I think people are really pissed is if they wanted to jump out first. My theory is "No signal, no chance". If they are not willing to exert a little force on the lever to indicate their intentions (I indicate mine) they can stay there forever for all I care. If someone ahead is signaling, I won't pull out and trap him or her and make them wait until I pass.
If I weave through a 2 car length gap to change lanes (ALWAYS signaling), I don't believe that I have affected them as long as they don't have to brake or even slow down.
I don't really agree here. Many drivers maintain a separation in heavy traffic that puts them on the verge of unease. When you or I enter that gap, we shrink the separation to the point that the following (and perhaps leading) driver is suddenly uneasy.
The real reason why I wanted to reply. I was thinking about this thread on the way in, and noticed that I was following a car at about 2 lengths. There is NO WAY I would weave through such a gap. It is more like 4-5 lengths min. *I* would be pissed if someone cut in front of me in such a space. I stand corrected.
And that "safety" space is a delicate area. Everyone has theirs and it may very day to day depending on your mood. If someone's space is 7-9 lengths, I have no problem slipping into that. Usually, if I can "match speed" and not interrupt the flow, I don't think I have encroached on anyone. Again, I just "test myself", but sometimes my limits are not acceptable to others.
Hearing "aggressive driving" makes me think of my own driving. My natural driving style involves maneuvers that might scare the crap out of nearby drivers unless they assume that I'm fairly skillful. Of course, a defensive driver usually learns to assume that other drivers are buffoons. I think that's fair, so I usually perform only maneuvers that a buffoon could perform safely. That way, other drivers (who assume I'm a buffoon) won't be startled However, there are a few drivers who assume that everyone in a certain category (say, sports car drivers) are not just buffoons, but reckless maniacs. Those folks will be startled no matter what I do, so I don't worry about them.
My comments:
I chose this article because, in my view, it shows that our automobile is an extention of ourselves. In psychology, we learned that we all have our own "personal space" and if it is intruded then we feel uncorfortable. I believe that it is the same when we drive, If someone enters our "personal space" we feel uncomfortable and tend to become defensive (especially if they cut us off, or tailgate us). Some of us try our best not to let anyone into "our personal space" by not letting them cut in front of us. This sounds funny but, I know it's true. We see it all around us. Think about it and you will realize that our personal space, inadequacies, and morals are what we are defending.
Lousy drivers (people) on roads
Subject: Lousy
drivers (people) on roads
Date: 1998/01/28
The latest news from Phoenix. I wonder if more cities might not also try laws such as are described below, to address the problem of lousy drivers (and failures as people) who are making the roads a dangerous as well as a polluted environment.
Some people on USENET have, believe it or not, tried to "defend" aggressive driving and mindless stupidity such as tailgating. As I've said before, such people form the back side of the IQ bell curve. If the problems caused by these people continue to grow, perhaps more cities will consider legislation such as is described below, if not take further, stricter measures.
Dave Simpson "Road Rage" Bills Target Overly Aggressive Driver By Chris MoeserThe Arizona Republic Wednesday, January 28, 1998
If there's one thing worse than crawling along on a jam-packed Valley freeway at rush hour, it's watching the clown behind you drive inches from your back bumper before swerving to the shoulder to pass.
But don't reach for your weapon. Grab the car phone and call the cops.
Under two proposals that picked up powerful legislative endorsements Tuesday, drivers could be cited by police for driving too aggressively. The measures are designed to cut down on the growing carnage on the roads caused by "road rage."
One bill would define aggressive driving and set up stiff penalties, including a 30-day license suspension for first-time offenders. The second would make it illegal to drive across the white-lined triangles at freeway ramps, known as "gore" points. The word is derived from a triangular pattern, as on a piece of land or a garment, not from a description of an accident scene.
DPS Officer Doug Knutson was killed earlier this month when a pickup plowed into him as he stood in a gore point on the Red Mountain Freeway.
Proposals designed to curb "road rage"
"While we cannot undo the tragedies of the past, we can enact laws to change our future," Gov. Jane Hull said at a news conference Tuesday morning. "The issue of aggressive driving is serious. And this bill will leave no doubt about it."
Hull was joined by House Speaker Jeff Groscost in supporting the proposal. Senate President Brenda Burns is generally supportive of the bills, but hasn't had a chance to review the details.
Supporters say the aggressive-driving legislation gives police new and needed tools to prevent road rage. Drivers could be charged with aggressive driving if they are cited for a combination of any three of the following charges:
* Reckless driving.
* Excessive speed.
* Passing on the right or on the shoulder.
* Tailgating.
* Failure to signal lane changes, improper lane changes, or failure to signal.
* Failure to yield the right of way.
* Running a red light or stop sign.
A first-time offender would face a misdemeanor charge. But a second conviction would be a Class 6 felony with an automatic license suspension of one year.
Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor's Office of Community and Highway Safety, pointed to a AAA study showing that people are more afraid of road rage than drunken driving. Nationally, the American Automobile Association reports that aggressive drivers have caused 10,037 incidents from 1990 to 1996, with 218 people being killed.
"The problem with aggressive driving is that it leads to road rage," Gutier said. Sen. Tom Freestone, R-Mesa, who is co-sponsoring the bills, agreed. The cost of the proposals is unknown. By making it illegal to drive across gore points, the state would have to re-stripe freeway ramps using yellow paint instead of white. Hull said money can be found to pay for the changes.
My comments:
This article holds a very true statement, "The problem with aggressive driving is that it leads to road rage." Aggressive driving leads to road rage in many ways. Some of you may have similar experiences; I almost always drive sanely, at first. Until somebody does something stupid like to tailgate me when there are other cars ahead of me or cut me off, when there's a lot of space in front to cut in. Why do they do that? I don't know...But it pisses me off. The next thing I know, I'm doing everything I can to piss the other driver off. I block them in, I tailgate them, I cut them off, etc...
Whatever they did to me I do it back to them. I often find myself following them till they lose me or till I see that they're scared. If they tell me, "What!" and act tough, I usually pull over off the road or into a parking lot to fight them but, they hardly ever follow. Only once, a guy came out of his car, looked at me running towards him, jumped back into his car and drove off. Well, basically as drivers we must be cautious of who we upset while driving, because, you just might find out what kind of INSANE people are out there.
Power Dressing and Road Rage
Subject: Re: Power
Dressing and Road Rage
Date: 1996/09/21
I realize I may leave myself open to accusations of sexism here but, as I amble about the highways and byways of the cream and pheasant land at a stately pace in my sensible car, it occurs to me that many of the people rushing about at speed in GTIs, cutting up other folk, and generally driving in an aggressive fashion are women in their 20s.
A friend of mine in the insurance trade tells me that 20-something women are becoming the fastest growing at-risk sector of the motoring market.
I hate to be a "mee tooooo" but as a motorcyclist commuter a longstanding observation of mine is that young (under 40) female drivers have a great propensity to jump red lights, pull out of side turnings forcing the mainstream to take action and generally ignore the consequences of their actions to smaller vehicles (m/cycles, scooters, cyclists) and pedestrians - there's one good old girl I see occasionally on the commute who regularly goes across pedestrian crossings when the traffic stops to let pedestrians cross! One day she's going to bag herself one.
My comments:
This article seems to be very true when it states that, "20-something women are becoming the fastest growing at-risk sector of the motoring market." I said it once and I'll say it again, "Many women drivers are more nuts then men!" Being a passenger in any of my (female) friends' cars, is a roller coaster ride. I often find myself putting on the seatbelt while riding in the back seat. I try to ride on the middle, just incase we get into an accident. Often, I find myself being thrown around when they make a turn or press on the brakes. In general, women drivers seem to be much more aggressive than men, it might be due to the lack of knowledge. Most cars are not made tough enough to go over a speed bump at 45 mph and you can't believe everything you see on television or in the movies.
My research shows...
Subject: My
research shows...
Date: 1998/02/24
Speeding is NOT the #1 cause of accidents on the roads. It's AGGRESSIVE DRIVING, and a lot of times that is mess up with speeding. My research clearly shows that speeding is only 1.7% of total accidents contributed. So everyone.......... speed away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My comments:
I surely hope that this article is not taken seriously. It might be true that speeding only contributes to 1.7% of accidents but, it's still 1.7%.
Funny Story Bike gets back
Subject: Re: Funny Story Bike gets
back
Date: 1998/02/19
Another simple deterrent that works on those that are hassling you, but are generally law abiding (e.g. the driver who is temporarily suffering from road rage or the teenager out in his parents car), is to simply repeat their license number out loud, as if memorizing it (in fact do memorize it). Write it down as you do so if you have pen and paper. Say it loudly enough so that they can hear and know that they can now be identified. The anonymity factor has now been reduced and other than a few cuss words, you will probably be left alone. Pulling out a cell phone just after doing the above would probably add to the effect, but the few times I have had to use the above technique, I didn't need to heighten it any.
I agree. I've used this technique once on the bike, and twice riding in the car while my wife was driving. On the bike, I repeated the license number over and over. In the car (for viciously aggressive tailgaters), I very visibly wrote it down on paper. In each case, the offending driver's manners improved very quickly and noticeably. The bike incident actually caused the teenage girls in the car to apologize!
My comments:
I often find myself writing down the make, model, color, and license plate of the drivers that annoy me. Not only to stop them from acting stupid, but to track them down if anything happens. I feel that it is a good way for the police to find the person if I get seriously hurt or killed.
Photo Radar Defense
Subject: Re: Photo
Radar Defense
Date: 1998/02/21
Duh. Ever try not speeding? Yes! REALLY! That works even better and is foolproof! Though driving the maximum speed limit and no faster takes more courage than most people posting here have.
Cheers.
Mother told me there would be days like these.... Ok I will try to make this real simple for you. Photo Radar not accurate. If you driving at limit, you still could get ticket, because photo radar is not accurate.
Once again, if you are driving at the limit, you may still get ticket, because photo radar not accurate. Are the words too big? Not accurate=wrong. Wrong to the high side. Wrong is bad. Because photo radar is not accurate, you may still get ticket. Now, a quick review, and exercise in logic. If you are driving the speed limit, and you still get a ticket this is because.. _____ _____ __ ___ ________. Good God, and the politically correct have the nerve to say that only the intellectual minority have access to the net.
Ouch! Someone touch a nerve?
So let me get this straight, you're saying that photo radar is not accurate? :)
This may be so but could it be so out of whack that it is triggered by a vehicle that is travelling at the speed limit? Usually there is a cushion allowed for what speed triggers the unit. I'm not sure what the figure is, somewhere between 5-15 km/h I would imagine. Let's just use an average of 10 km/h. By what you're saying, that would mean that there is a possible error margin of 20 km/h. I find it hard to believe that something that could have that large of an error margin and still be accepted as usable.
I think, IMHO, that the inaccuracy defense is more often used by people that were actually speeding as opposed to someone who is doing the speed limit. I, myself, have never gotten a speeding ticket, photo or otherwise. Not that I stick strictly to the speed limit. Anyone who says they never speed is probably lying. However, I try to control my "urge" to speed and use common sense when driving. If you need to get somewhere allow yourself to time to make the trip, five or ten minutes one way or the other is not going to make that much of a difference.
There are too many aggressive drivers on the road today. People who feel that they must be at the head of the flow of traffic. People who have to be the front car at the next red light. I sometimes fall into this category myself, but the first step to curbing this behavior is to recognize that it occurs in one's self (sorry that sounds kind of preachy).
What it all boils down to is "don't speed and you won't get a speeding ticket." It's that simple, I'm sure you can do the math. That's what I think any ways.
My comments:
I chose this article because I feel that it is very informative, if it is true. Here in the State of Hawaii, we soon might be affected by the radar cameras. The cameras are set up all over the Island of Oahu, and if it is implemented, we soon will be bombarded by unjustified traffic citations. However, it may free law enforcement officials to pursue more serious matters and boost Hawaii's economy by reducing crime.
Myth And Facts of Speeding
Subject: Myth and
facts of speeding
Date: 1998/02/24
OTOH, as I'm sure you've noticed, many of the readers of this NG will readily admit to breaking the speed limit on occasion. Why? Because in their judgement, it is safe to do so. Why spend good money for a car if you're never going to drive over 65 MPH? It's human nature to explore limits... this is a Good Thing.
I'd rather people didn't "explore limits" when they are sitting 6ft behind my rear bumper at 65. I fail to see what is good about that. Go find a skid circuit or a racetrack, not a public road.
Wrong Jamie. Let's review a little history. There was once upon a time when there IS NO SPEED LIMIT ON FREEWAYS. People just drive and everyone was happy. Then the Arabs threaten to not sale oil and the country panic and set this ridiculous 55-mph limit.
Now, let's review the MYTH that speed kills.
A research by Car and Driver shows that the fatality rate of US Highways is actually a bit higher then the Germany Super Freeway (no speed limit.) In Germany the avg. speed is 75 mph, in US the avg. speed is 58 mph. And yet despite the "save speed" avg. US still have a slight HIGHER fatality rate on highways.
Another study by AAA shows that gov'ts and recording agencies a lot of times mistaken AGGRESSIVE DRIVING from speeding. For example: a car driving at 35 mph (say at speed limit of 45 mph road), makes a dangerous cut and hit another car. Guess what's the charge on record? ACCIDENT CAUSED BY SPEEDING! As you can see, speeding is getting blame for a lot of accidents that is more aggressive driving than speeding.
If there's a lot of space, and visitation clear, I don't see why we couldn't drive 80 mph but have to stick with 55 mph. The Arab oil crisis is over.
Also a research by AAA + AutoWorld shows that more speed on roads can help drastically cut down traffic time. There are two ways to ease traffic, build more roads (until you run out of space), or simply raise the speed limit. A test on I-66 in Northern VA shows that by increasing the speed limit from 55 mph to 66 mph, the traffic jam time in the afternoon were DECREASE BY 40 MINUTES!!! And yes they compare the traffic accident curve AND IT STAYS THE SAME!!!
As for the claim that people will simply speed away when there's no control. Wrong. A study by the psychiatrist-driving test shows that every driver has a "buffer zone" that they will not pass. For example: Mr. John Doe's "zone" may be 65 mph, meaning he won't go over that zone no matter what the speed limit says.
As a final word, speeding actually HELPS pollution. More cars on the street means more pollution. When someone can drive and stop at a shorter time, it's LESS pollution.
Once again, Arab is not threatening with any oil crisis, and we have plenty of gas. Let's SPEED away!!!!!!!
My comments:
This article clearly shows that the author displays a lack of emotional intelligence. Although increased speed can reduce travel time, it will inevitably lead to an increase in traffic accidents because the driver's field of vision and reaction time is reduced. The author shows no regard for the lives of others and does not consider the safety factor. As for pollution, increased speed burns more fuel which does not aide the pollution problem.
Road warriors beware!!!
Subject:Road
warriors beware!!!
Date: 1998/01/30
Hello Everyone!
Granny Grunt doesn't like waiting on indecisive drivers, so yesterday as she was commuting from her home on the northside to Costco, and when a day-dreaming driver in front of her didn't speed up when the light changed, Granny leaned out the window and let loose with a burst of vitriol that would melt metal. She'd learned a lot of bad habits from her two sons who are Teamsters over the years. When that didn't work, she leaned on her custom- made horn button, thus releasing a terrible blast from the set of diesel air horns she had mounted beneath her hood for just such occasions. Finally, after several more blasts of vituperation and a honk or two on the air horns, the lazy driver finally got her get-up and got.
Washington State Lawmakers think their ought to be a guideline for what is and is not "bad manners" on the roadway, a sort of Miss Manners for the express lanes, if you will.
A measure proposed by Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma, would make road rage a misdemeanor for a first offense and a gross misdemeanor for second and subsequent offenses.
A driver can be charged with road rage, officially called "aggressive driving," if he or she acted out angry behavior - by slamming on the brakes or yelling at another driver, for example - at least twice within five miles, according to the AP article. Although it isn't specifically mentioned in the article, one would presume that flipping another driver off would qualify under the new law, but that might set the ACLU champing at the bit since, I believe, that gesture is protected under freedom of speech.
The story went on to say that a first conviction would mean at least a day in jail and a $350 fine. Subsequent convictions would bring a minimum two days in jail and a $500 fine. Personally, I think the courts would be better served if they ordered the miscreants in court to pull down their britches for a quick swat with a board, much like the "board of education" that the superintendent of schools used when we were foulmouthed young kids, instead of adults with bad attitudes.
Of course, in Granny Grunt's case, what would the judge do in lieu of paddling her behind?
What do you think? Is "road rage" a real crime, or just another merciless attempt to collect our pocket change? [ Dave]
Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression. Do not repeat them in the future. Sivananda (born 1887)
... Heaven sends us good meat, but the Devil sends us cooks.
My comments:
Road rage has become a huge problem in Hawaii as well. While stiffer punishments may influence some individuals to control their tempers, the solution lies in changing the morals of today's society. The ever increasing competitive nature of people today has led to blatant disregard for others. As individuals we are smart but as a society, we seem to be becoming insane. Road rage is a crime and it should be dealt with accordingly, either through fines, revoking of their license or even imprisonment.
Road Rage - Prevention Better Than Cure.
Subject:Road Rage -
prevention better than cure.
Date: 1998/02/25
I was almost the victim of road rage the other day, although the incident occurred in a parking lot. The gentleman who almost hit my parked car while turning into the adjacent parking spot did not take too kindly to my suggestion that he take greater care. He immediately became defensive. I defused the situation by apologizing for "over-reacting" to his apparent lack of parking finesse. If I had become aggressive as well, the result may have been a physical altercation. I strive to drive by the following Golden Rules:
1. Let impatient drivers pass. You'll soon catch them up. They will have revved the hell out of their cars, increasing wear and tear, not to mention their blood pressure.
2. Be courteous where PRACTICABLE! Courtesy at the wrong time can prove as dangerous as aggressiveness.
3. Listen to relaxing music that complements driving. I love punk, hardcore, and some metal, yet do not listen to these in the car, as they make me over-confident, aggressive, euphoric, and therefore more likely to cause an accident. My choice of driving music is as far removed from punk, etc, as you can imagine: Seventies disco and other catchy tunes!!! No..I'm not a split personality!!
4. Always expect the WORST of other drivers! That way, when they do make an error, you won't be disappointed.
5. Travel at a speed consistent with common sense. The sign might read 80, which is fine on a sunny, dry day, but lethal on a wet day.
6. Use cunning to escape from tailgaters playing games. These WANKERS are driving with their dicks, not with their brains. Don't antagonize them. You never know the mental state of these drivers. They may have just split up with their lover, they may be bursting for a piss, have a bad case of hemorrhoids, or simply be too FAR GONE to be of any use to man or beast.
7. Playing your CD player too loud is an invitation to thieves. It's as though your saying..Hey, aren't' I cool! Check it out when I'm out. As Martin/Molloy would say : "mistake gone wrong!"
8. Resist the temptation to follow the well-intentioned but often misdirected advice of backseat drivers. Threaten to expel them from the vehicle if they don't shut their cakehole. Best of all, drive on your own. I drive on my own most of the time, and prefer it, as I can listen to my music and sing along, swear(only if unavoidable, and of therapeutic value).
9. Using these principles, I hope to be able to maintain a safe and incident-free driving record until the day I retire from driving.
Any comment, suggestions?
My comments:
The advice that this author gives are good but, I feel that you should always be courteous. It suggests in "Golden Rule" #2. "Be courteous where PRACTICABLE! Courtesy at the wrong time can prove as dangerous as aggressiveness." But, I feel that courtesy will never fail. If we, as drivers, were courteous to others at all times then, most of our problems would be solved. Road rage and aggressive driving will only end, if we learn to respect others...
How to Prevent Road Rage
Subject:Re: How to
Prevent Road Rage
Date: 1997/12/31
Road rage is easy to prevent. Here is how you do it.
In one step:
1. Leave enough time to get where you're going. Done. Finished. You KNOW you'll encounter delays. Build them into your schedule.
Aggressive driving takes place on streets with speed limits of 25 MPH as well as highways with speed limits of 65 MPH. Read on.
1. The left lane is the FAST lane. It's not a place for geezers and the otherwise terrified to hide from chaotic traffic patterns.
If an emergency vehicle needs the "FAST" lane, YIELD. If someone is attempting to pass you, don't speed up. YIELD. It is not the place for hot-rodders and daredevils to compete, "defend their lane" nor hog the lane.
2. It is neither your job nor your right to enforce the speed limit. It is not your privilege to hog a lane with the attitude "why is everyone in such a hurry?". If you are not in a hurry, walk.
When there is not sufficient room to pass, WAIT. If you're in such a hurry, fly, or live closer to work, work closer to home, or leave earlier. It is not your job to make everyone else responsible for your inability to organize your life.
3. You can't merge with 50+ MPH freeway traffic while travel ling at 25 MPH. Don't even try. If you don't know how to use your accelerator, take side roads.
If you cannot drive slowly through residential areas and past schools, learn about the other pedal: the brake. Or better yet, walk. It will help you with your frustration to stop and smell the roses occasionally.
4. Don't wait to start looking for your money *after* you get to the tollgate. If you don't know where the toll roads are, take a train. Or stay home.
5. When you get your toll change is not the time to organize your wallet or your purse grandma.
6. The toll taker is not there to make conversation with you. If you don't know where the hell you are going, learn to read a map. Or stay home. This also applies to "important" business calls on your cell phone. Or hunting through your briefcase for that important contract. Drive, don't talk or do your homework.
7. If you have nothing to do gramps, don't wander over to the store for coffee at 7 in the morning. This just gives those of us who have to get somewhere another reason for inventing Soylent Green. See number 2, which suggest walking: Yield to pedestrians. Do NOT go right on red just cause you can. There are people IN the crosswalk, some of which are "old geezers" and moving a bit slowly. Some people (like a 24-year old wheelchair user I know) move faster than most pedestrians, in many situations, but slower than cars in ALL situations. There are pedestrians who have been waiting through 3 light changes while drivers ignore the lights. One of them may be carrying a crowbar or something a little more dangerous. (Did you read about the cyclist that shot a driver who cut him off? Just because you wear a couple of tons of armor with wheels, don't make you invulnerable to pedestrian rage.)
8. If you pull out in traffic and make everyone stop just to get off at the next intersection, perhaps someone should introduce you to Mr. AK47.
Bicyclists make left turns from the left lane. That's where they're supposed to do it from. Get a grip. Take a Valium, or get off the road.
9. If you can't see at night, get the hell home before it gets dark.
If you can't avoid driving slowly at night, get a life. (Your own, not someone else's.)
10. Not in a hurry to get to church on Sunday? Wake up bunky! Once those malls are open you better get out of the way or pray a lot harder than you seem to be doing now.
Again, see number 2, which suggest walking: Pedestrian traffic around churches tends to be slower than cars. If you need to hurry to the mall, you should seek therapy.
See how easy it really is to avoid inducing road rage!!
Some people don't have driveways that directly connect to the on-ramp of expressways. The road rage I see every day is on business and residential streets in the heart of metropolitan D.C.
My comments:
This author presents some interesting driving tips. I found that the driving tips that were given are very amusing. The road would be a safer place if more people followed such advice. However, it is obvious that this it not likely to occur. I feel that this person, however, possesses hate for society in general. This is evident by the terms and tones used to refer to individuals of different age groups, "gramps" and "bunky" are some examples.
Solution To Road Rage? No.
Subject: Re: solution
to road rage? No.
Date: 1998/01/30
We propose a much better solution: legislation designed to permanently revoke driver license for anyone twice convicted of speeding, tailgating, improper lane change, or reckless driving within a 10-yr period. First time DUI offenders should be permanently denied a license to drive as well.
We urge everyone reading this to support such legislation in order to stem the rising tide of very poor driving behavior in our country.
[ JD & Mona]
This sort of raises the question of whom to punish. If one guy goads another (yo mama wears combat boots, maybe a little shove, etc.) and the other guy swings at him, it is pretty tough to say who was more wrong. Is the guy who swung? Yeah, he probably should have contained his anger. But what about the guy who provoked? Surely he should not have been doing the provoking, or he could have expected to take a punch.
It seems to me that driving in the left lane without any intention to pass is the automotive equivalent of this goading. The message (amplified by a tap of the brakes) is that the guy behind is not important enough for you to inconvenience yourself to move over. Thus goaded, some people are going to swing, period. Expect it. Don't want it to happen? Don't goad. Then the equation is much more simple. If a guy pulls some random aggressive and dangerous move with no provocation, then he ought to be stopped, just like the guy who randomly pops someone ought to be punished. But I just can't bring myself to lay the entire fault with the guy who was goaded. It is just dumb to goad someone, especially when the reaction may be unknown/dangerous. If we should punish the people passing on the right for aggression, we should punish the left lane bandits for idiocy.
As for your proposed legislation, most of the people I know have a speeding ticket, many two within the last ten years (including my mother, who absolutely DOES NOT speed; she rarely breaks 54 on the highway). A permanent revocation of the licenses of these people will lead to exactly one thing: hordes of unlicensed motorists. Perhaps you prefer that state of affairs? Such revocation can only exist in a society with excellent mass transit--that is, a place where people do not NEED cars. Such a community is a long way off in this country. Back to the drawing board.
My comments:
I think that revoking a drivers license from having two traffic violations is very strict and such a proposal definitely will not pass legislation. Many of my friends have gotten a variety of traffic citations. A good friend of mine received a speeding ticket for going 32mph in a 25mph zone. It happened late at night, and with no other cars nearby. What I am getting at is the mere fact that there is no simple way to solve road rage and taking away driver licenses' will only create more problems. For example, many of these unlicensed drivers will continue to drive and being unlicensed, they won't be able to get insurance for their automobiles etc... Get the picture. ; )
Opinions On My Classmates Reports:
Please go to my classmates reports after you are done here. Their reports are interesting and very informative, it will help you to understand more about road rage, commute traffic, and aggressive driving.
Advice For Future Generations:
Be prepared for the worst. Start on your Reports as soon as possible. You'll be much happier that way. By the way did I mention to start your work early and as soon as possible? Well, Start your work as soon as possible! Please drive with respect and aloha, "can't we all just get along?" R.King
Taking this course and doing these projects made me realize, really, how bad aggressive driving and road rage has become. I found that my driving has improved greatly. I try to drive with the "aloha" spirit, and I hope that you will too.
Aloha and Mahalo,
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