2005: Traffic deaths in the US have reached a 15 year
high.
This
survey was written nearly six years ago. At that time the term 'roadrage' was
applied to a small percentage of drivers who drove with wild impunity. They failed
to stop at red lights, stop signs, tailgating was their norm, they changed lanes wildly,
they would speed more often than not. When another driver would get in their way or
be any type of nuisance, the roadrage driver would become offensive and do something to
confront the other driver. Five years ago roadrage was an interesting subject for
surveys.
Today roadrage is no longer the
exception. The uncaring drivers who apparently want to inflict damage on other
vehicles and occupants insist upon speeding and refuse to stop at red lights and stop
signs. They refuse to obey traffic laws and seem to drive with the intent to cause
death and destruction. They aim their vehicles at pedestrians who have the courage
to cross the streets.
We who review the obscene, rude, aggressive answers to this
survey are appalled. We wonder why?
How, in the civilized world, can so many drivers of both
genders have so much anger built up and believe that inflicting pain upon others will make
them feel better? Don't these drivers realize that there is no gain in driving like
this? Don't these drivers observe that, even with speeding, running red lights and
stop signs and cutting off other vehicles, they may gain only a small distance and
possibly save only a few minutes?
How can they not understand that the potential reward for
aggressive driving is far out-weighed by the potential of inflicting death, damage, pain
and, if nothing else, incurring insurance costs and time delays to complete accident
reports?
Copyright
Technology America Corporation 1996-2008 USA
Aggressive Driving
Road rage is a
ubiquitous phenomenon that shows signs of growing acceptance as the driving mode of
choice. If guilty drivers thought about their actions and potential dangerous
results, they would logically modify their habits. Drivers do not apply rational
thought to their behavior. There is no analysis by drivers that might provide limits
to their behavior. Also, there is virtually no effective traffic-law enforcement to
provide external limits.
We believe that road rage is a derivative disease spawned from
primary stresses. Primary stresses are caused by: 1.) Poor understanding and
fear of the information age; 2.) Violence presented in living color and stereophonic
sound in movies, music and television; 3.) Breakdown in appreciation of living in an
orderly, lawful society.
These primary elements are an omnipresent mental overhang for many people today.
When an individual takes control of his vehicle, which provides power under his
control, then combines his fears with today's easily unbounded behavior, the temptation to
use that powerful vehicle overcomes his desire to be civil. Frustrations are thrown
at other drivers who are subconsciously perceived as impeding progress. The result
is road rage: The breaking of traffic laws, a loss of civility with disregard for causing
damage, and a desire to inflict pain upon others.
In a world governed by failing and negative role models, hope for a cure will be most
likely obtained through heightening of educational standards instilled from
childhood. People need more important things to work for than racing to and through
the next red light.
