A recent study noted that there was a link between aggressive driving and video games that promote aggressive driving. The facts were solid, but also flawed. It is hard to say where who what was really at fault since the only games that tested were “aggressive” driving games (games that reward you for driving aggressively and not defensively) and the people doing the test were an insurance company who had cause to link bad driving and video games anyways.
But, I submit to you this: drivers in general are more and more flawed. As I venture out on the streets daily I notice other drivers doing illogical/dumb things. Like cutting over from the left hand lane four lanes to make a right hand turn. Blindly entering a lane change. Pulling out in an intersection aggressively forcing the oncoming traffic to slow down for you. My guess is most of these people don’t play the games in the study, period. I’m more inclined to believe that many of these bad habits are taught or just lousy driving.
So, is it that we are teaching these bad habits or are they inherited? When we sit in our cars and rush the yellow lights, knowingly and unknowingly cut people off in traffic, or just make dumb behind the wheel decisions, are we rubbing off on our younger passengers? Or is it this country’s revenge mentality- “get them before they get you?” It seems easier to cut off a faceless car brand than it is to push someone into a wall as you walk down the hall at work, isn’t it?
I really don’t have an answer. All I know is that I’m sick of making all of you awful drivers look good by avoiding collisions with you, allowing you the right of way, and slowing down for you when I see you dart lanes and perform general stupid things. Are you that deaf, dumb and blind when you get behind the wheel, or are you just deaf, dumb and blind in general? I propose the latter. Not in the literal sense, it’s just that when we put on that shell that is our automobile we get so wrapped up in our universe that we don’t notice all the bodies rushing around our orbit until an extinction event happens. Or we don’t care, which makes matters worse.
I think its better that we think our cars aren’t just means of transportation- but also weapons. I suggest we start treating them with the same respect we give a hand gun.
