I got to thinking today, after the guy in the baby blue Honda Accord gave me the finger, that road rage is a serious problem in our society. I know, I am certainly not the first to point this out, but I think it is worth asking the question "Why is road rage so common in our culture?" I have done some traveling and noticed that the driving in other countries makes the driving in America look like those old cars at amusement parks that only go about 5 miles an hour and have that track between the wheels so you can't steer off the path. In these other countries, Thailand and Guatemala, to be spicific, Red lights are merely a suggestion; following too closely, the norm; merging, a personal challenge. Yet with all the cutting off and such that takes place, you see almost no road rage. It is simply a way of travel, even a way of life. So, to boil it down, what does road rage say about our culture? Too impatient? Too busy? Too stressed? Too carnal? You tell me.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
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4 comments:
I think most people subconsciously consider their car as an extension of themselves. Getting cut off in traffic is like being shoved when your in line at the cineplex. In Thailand and Guatemala, people have a much smaller personal space. When they get into cars, that translates into what we would consider tailgating and other traffic sins. So raod rage is really persoanl rage at having your personal space violated.
I think our strict rules of he roadmcreate a high expectation of how driving should be conducted. When those rules are disregarded, the high expectations are unmet. That high level of disappointment is what creates road rage. When expectations are low, you have little disappointment. Just think of how little road rage exists where the rules are few, like on a gravel country road.
Road rage is extremely disturbing to me. You never know when you'll run into that guy (or girl) with an anger management problem and a loaded 38mm under his seat. In our society, I think that people are generally stressed out, and sometimes all it takes is that one more incident (insert cliche about the straw and camel's back) to set someone off. More often than not, it's probably misdirected life frustrations and anger.
Life is too short to let other people's anger issues affect me in a negative way. I just bless them and keep on driving.
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