What is it about getting into the driver’s seat of a vehicle that makes so many people turn into complete jerks???

You aren’t putting on a suit of armor… or an invisibility cloak… So why do you suddenly become a rude, aggressive idiot? You would never walk up behind some little old lady and yell at her to get out of the way, or step right in front of her and cut her off. So why do it on the freeway? Where are you going in such a hurry?

Driving a car is basically putting yourself in command of a cruise missile… thousands of pounds of steel and glass and flammable fuel hurling down the freeway at speeds our recent forebears could only dimly imagine. It is a vast responsibility. You have your own life and the lives of other people in your hands.

So stop texting and making phone calls. Keep your mind on what you are supposed to be doing.

And for crying out loud, if you know you are using the next on-ramp or off-ramp, just get in line with the rest of us. You aren’t special. We all have someplace to get to. Don’t risk your life… and our lives… to get three cars farther ahead.  

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22 Responses to What is it about getting into the driver’s seat of a vehicle that makes so many people turn into complete jerks???

  1. You tell ’em!! Jerks!

  2. joehoover's avatar joehoover says:

    never driven, never wanted to learn. It would really interfere with my drinking schedule.

  3. 1jaded1's avatar 1jaded1 says:

    Can’t say it better. It is like you need to remove your flippin brain before turning the ignition. Morons.

  4. There is nothing else to say. You said it perfectly.

  5. List of X's avatar List of X says:

    You aren’t typing this while driving, are you?

  6. Private's avatar Doobster418 says:

    As Paul said, it gives you power. You’re sitting inside a couple of tons of sheet metal, moving faster than most animals can run. You’re anonymous, sitting there behind the wheel. You’re a busy person with places to go, things to do, people to see. You are in control. But then everyone else on the road is conspiring to get in your way. No one knows how to drive as well as you. You are surrounded by idiots and assholes and you must show them who the boss is, who has the power, who’s in charge.

    And so you turn into a complete jerk.

  7. Paul's avatar Paul says:

    It gives people a feeling of power and they tend to project it. Basically it magnifies the emotions, so if you’re an asshat IRL, then behind the wheel of an SUV you become an even bigger asshat. I drove tractor -trailer for years across North America – I know of what I speak. I also trained drivers and I told them explicitly, : “you have the power, and because you have it it is your responsibility to take care of all those around you. I catch you bullying anyone with that vehicle and you’re fired.” And I did. Mind you we were hauling fuel, so I specifically hired drivers who were laid back and calm to start. Out of 80 fuel drivers, we had 75 over 40 years old , 4 between 30 and 40 and 1 below 30.(and he turned 30 while I was there). When I’m driving, I pay it forward – always give them the benefit of the doubt, it makes them think.

  8. Bobby's avatar serins says:

    Amen to that.

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