Lance Baker Engl. 1 Ms. Humphries March 4,2001 Road Rage These days, cars are necessary for everyday living. They take us where we need to go. They are the method of transportation for everyday traveling. Road rage is an increasing problem in America. Incidents of violent driving have been rising for many years now. Many people identify themselves by the car they drive, because of this; road rage is only increased. Potential problems should try to be avoided.
Some would say that speed limits are not adequate, or certain laws should be changed. Reports have shown that the majority of Americans have no problem with speed limits or the laws; new drivers are not helping either. There are key things that are liable for joining or causing road rage. For example; loud music, honking the horn, tailgating, and changing lanes without signaling all have been known to increase tension while driving.
The actual causes can be traced back to different forms of stress. Such as being called into the boss' office for discussion of work performance, making bad grades in school, or having just been dumped by your girlfriend/boyfriend. Road rage is a result of an outburst of all the stress in ones life. Cars are a status symbol in our time. Nice cars give others the impression that the driver has money. Fast or flashy cars give an impression of being successful. Males driving big trucks tend to think they are "king of the road." No one should mess with him or his truck unless they are looking for trouble.
If possible, it is best to try to avoid road rage. Using clever driving skills will decrease tension. Pleasant body language is also important in minimizing these conflicts. Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver, and do not make obscene gestures. While operating your car, don't tailgate, use your horn sparingly, do not block the passing lane, and do not block the right hand turn lane. Drivers tend to put themselves in a stress bind by constantly trying to beat the clock on their trips. Many drivers display a great deal of impatience with drivers traveling at or near the speed limit and can become very aggressive.
What is a good driver? Often this is based on level of skill, and males tend to see themselves as superior in handling motor vehicles than females. However, more women drive, own, or operate cars then men. Women have a better safety record, they have fewer deaths and hospital admissions and fewer violations are issued. The fact that women do have a better safety record appears to only encourage the idea that women are inferior. This points toward the society's conclusion that good driving is determined on how risky it is practiced. Women are generally more content with taking their time to get where they need to go, and less concerned about demonstrating the power of the vehicle or their maneuvering skills.
In conclusion, road rage is out of hand in America. We must find a solution for this problem. These days, cars are necessary for typical everyday living. Reports have shown that the majority of Americans have no problem with speed limits or the laws. Road rage has been increasing by 7% each year. Necessary precautions should be made to avoid problems. Use clever driving tips and pleasant body language to decrease tension away from you. Reports show that men are much more aggressive then women in an automobile. So you are more likely to have conflicts with male rather than female drivers. Cars are the ideal method of transportation for everyday traveling. We need to do our best to make the roads a little bit safer for everyone.
Works Cited 1. Redshaw, Sarah. Can speeding be justified? http://www.drivers.com/cgi-in/go.cgi?type=ART&id=000000353&static=1. 10/18/00 2. American Automobile Association. http://www.aaa- texas.com/members/ corpinfo/roadrage.html.