I remember as a child driving with my dad, he showed me how to use the "accelleration lane" to merge with other traffic; how to move close to the left side if turning left to allow others to continue on if space allowed; how to let one car from the left then one from the right go if there is a back-up or merger of two lanes to one. He also taught me to dim my lights as soon as we saw oncoming traffic or if we saw another vehicle in front of us. So many little tidbits of useful information that by itself doesn't mean much, but a person using all of these together make life much easier for all. That is the point.

I have spoken to many young individuals from all over these united states, and when I ask them if they have learned these things in Drivers Ed, they say they have not. They are being overwelmed with all this road rage stuff, and not being taught the basics of courteous driving. I hope these letters end up with someone that may institute some changes or persuation for the general public.

I see road courtesy getting worse every year. Courtesy has been forgotten as many drivers feel it is their right to do as they please on the roadways. I feel campains structured like those in Europe would be more effective. They actually have commercials showing some of the problems, and how drivers should behave while sharing the roadway.

Thanks for your time.

i think if people could get out their road rage in video games then the world would be a better place. sad but true.

I believe that if drivers increase the fresh air that enters their vehicles, and get rid of them toxic, pine tree-shaped air-scenters hanging from those rear views, they'd be able to think clearer and have more patience to enjoy their ride and to accept others they share the road with. All that junk that they're breathing is actually contributing to their fatigue - not the obedient and cautious drivers ahead of them. Take it from me, I practice a non-toxic lifestyle, therefore I am able to enjoy driving, take it easy, and have peace of mind. Don't envy me, follow me - but please don't tailgate, it's rude!!

all this road rage....
Could it possibly be the toxic materials these modern vehicles are made with, causing outgassing of chemicals that effect the brain?
I do a lot of driving and I have observed 98% of motorist who drive in sealed shut vehicles, their windows not even open a crack. Good Lord, the air quality inside their vessels must be so contaminated it's no wonder they're in such fury to get to their destination. I wouldn't want to hang around longer in an environment posing a health hazard.
My suggestion is that people open their windows, don't use artificial air scents, and prefer the older vehicles over the modern - so they can enjoy their ride and be more patient on the road.

I can't stand how road rage is considered to be some new social phenomenon with complex underpinnings. Bull! It's simply a matter of increased numbers of cars, on roads that haven't been expanded enough, and aggravated by insufficient enforcement.

Photo radar and red-light cameras have been proven effective, and since Big Brother arrived with a bang on Sept 11, the civil liberties argument is pretty much evaporated. Use the damn cameras.

The drinking/driving awareness campaigns have shown that public perceptions can be altered. How about some public campaigns that raise awareness of safe following distances, proper use of lanes, merging, avoiding gridlock etc.?

Finally, governments owe it to their citizens and to the world to properly fund mass transit, and get people OUT of their cars. More people would use public transit if it was truly useable, not the barely functioning systems common in North America.

Roadrage isn't a matter of video games and such because let's face it... if we take them away the anger alone that that would create would cause even more "rage" on our nations roads, which I do agree have become vastly over populated without the necessity of expansion over the past decade.

People have to understand, though, that our government cannot take care of all our transportation problems at the moment with our "war" on terrorism, the debates circling around campaign finance reform, and so on. That leaves it up basically to the average driver to combat road rage.

And god, I'm not talking vigilanteism!

what are you talking, IGNORANCE? ACCEPTANCE? GLUTTON FOR ABUSE?
How should the obedient drivers combat road rage? I got an idea....Take down license plate numbers and give them to the police. BETTER YET, mount video cameras on our dashboards to capture the life threatening maneuvers these maniacs pull on us every time we drive!
And it's always the BAD GUYS that hide and justify for their actions by accusing the targetted GOOD GUYS of road rage for whatever menial thing they did to respond like stupidly flashing their head lights? Wow, can't compare that to the near side swiping they pulled on that GOOD GUY!

Oliver, time for your meds. You're getting foam all over the keyboard.

For the problem of drivers who are going fairly fast in the left (passing) lane---but not as fast as the person coming up behind...

Some people have suggested spreading the word about a technique to indicate your desire to pass. Turn on the left side turn signal indicator for a few blinks, then off, then on again. If that doesn't work, try a very brief flash of the headlights.

Do you think that might work for the majority?

Anyone know of any Citizens' Task Force Organizations that work in conjuction with local police and highway patrol departments to identify and apprehend aggressive, wreckless, & unsafe drivers? I had the idea that citizens could report offenders to the organization's hotline where the information would be entered into a database. Car tag numbers could be flagged after multiple reports of offense and the car owner and traffic enforcement agency both notified. This solution would bring back some community accountability, keep drivers mindful of the law, assist the law enforcement agencies (traffic seems to be their least concern with the more serious crimes rising), and would improve safety for everyone on the roads.

I remember a local radio station, here in Pittsburgh, rewarding courteous drivers. Maybe giving the "good guys" more public attention would help. We all know about road rage and most of us have been there ourselves at one time or another. Good intentions often don't make it past our own driveways. It's all a state of mind.

Blanche

Yes, some police forces do this as well, giving out coupons for free pizza or donuts etc. to drivers who did a good deed, or were just driving well when the officers saw them.

Can you tell us how the radio station found the drivers? And what kind of rewards did they get?