Road Rage, Safety, etc.(tad long)

[DaveNcj <DaveNcj@aol.com>]

I just read the Road Warrior article in the new QQuarterly, and would like to
hear the general concensus from anyone interested.
First let me say that essentially all of what is decribed is outright
obnoxious behavior for which there is no excuse.  I think we all agree that
safety on the highway (and the track, too!) is numero uno priority-wise.  By
that I mean reasonable speeds for conditions, courtesy to other drivers, and
recognition of higway laws.  That and paying attention to what you're doing.
That being said, I submit that a popular cause for "road rage" is the
frustration generated by the majority of drivers' lack of knowledge of
driver's etiquette and guidelines (laws, or long-assumed assumptions).  Too
many drivers don't know or acknowledge passing and driving lanes, merging
methods, or even how to signal.
What may be construed as rage by way of a flash of headlight may simply be a
reminder that the left lane is for passing, and one should return to the right
lane once that's done.  There's a difference between a courtesy flash and a
drive-up-the-exhaustpipe-and-keep-pushing technique.  I'll flash someone if
it's obvious they have no intention of getting over when there is no reason
for them not to.  Likewise, I'll flash a semi when it needs to get in the lane
in front of me.  
  Generally speaking, technology of the recent computer revolution has made
life speed up in general for the general public..  Seems to me that more of it
needs to be applied to the urban traffic control systems, and better efforts
to educate all on what is expected of them on the roadways should be
implemented.
I could justify my position with more bandwidth, but this is too long already,
and I'd like opinions on this.
Thanks for making it this far,
-dave
'86 4kq