land of the free and home of the aggressive driver…
Survey results came out today on the driving habits of Americans and it is interesting to say the least.
Let’s see…
Men complain of drivers who talk on cell phones and drive while distracted, while women are more bothered by aggressive behaviors like speeding and tailgating.
“Hey, I may speed, but at least I pay attention!”
Even parents driving with children take some surprising risks, including speeding, distracted driving, and allowing children to ride in the front seat or without a car seat.
Sixty-six percent of parents say they speed with children in the car.
These results tell us something, but I’m not sure what. Is it that we think speed limit laws are arbitrary or a hindrance? I don’t think so. Is it that we think we can break the speed limit as long as we don’t get caught. Maybe, but I don’t think that’s the big picture.
I think we are just not thinking too much about it. Probably more people die in highway accidents each year than just about anything else yet we feel that getting from point A to B in just a few minutes less time is worth the risk of driving carelessly and gambling with our lives and the lives of others on the roads. We are worth more than that, infinitely more than the risk involved or the meaningless time gained on the road by driving this way.
