11 Comments to 'Attention selfish drivers…'
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Attention selfish drivers…
Posted By jake
As I’ve long suspected, research is indicating that selfish driving patterns result in more traffic for everyone. I’ve contended that the jerk waiting until the last second to merge is making it worse for all of us, and in weaker moments, uttered a few unkind words about what his parental lineage must be.
I’m happy to see research into this topic. It ties into another topic I’d really like to see researched: patterns of group behavior based on unspoken communication and the inability of some individuals to successfully navigate said group behavioral systems.
You see it all the time–the huge backup headed up to a road construction site. You see the cars long before you see the signs. Most of us see our opportunity to get into the appropriate lane and do so instinctively. Then there’s the guy who goes coasting by, oblivious until he practically smacks into the construction, who then struggles to get into the appropriate lane. Fellow drivers usually presume he’s the sort of rascal who thinks the rules don’t apply to him. In calmer moments, I have another theory: I think he’s clueless.
Another scenario in which you see widespread unspoken group communication is in the Metro stations in DC. During the most crowded times, you’ll notice that people waiting to get on the trains dynamically gather near but not in front of the doors. Instead they form “tunnels” of egress for the people getting off the train–and the more impressive part is that those tunnels typically point toward the exit of the station, funneling the disembarking passengers out.
No words are spoken, yet people seem to spontaneously organize.
And then there are the people who don’t get it. The person standing haplessly in the middle of the tunnel, practically getting knocked over by every disembarking passenger. The person who absentmindedly is constantly in someone else’s way. The person who wonders why there’s no one ahead of him in the left lane but dozens immediately behind him.
Here’s my premise: I think there’s a specific type of social intelligence, devoted to the navigation of non-explicitly arranged social situations. And I think some people just don’t have it.
Now to get that research grant…
Sep 4th, 2008
Here’s an animation to help demonstrate your point. See also Traffic “Experiments” and a Cure for Waves & Jams. You might also enjoy watching No traffic signals necessary. And definitely lookup Hans Monderman’s concepts.
I’m sure by now your spam filter has called 911, paged you, made an appointment with your administrative assistance, and called your sister to let you know that this post has too many links. Woohoo! It escaped moderation!
I have to disagree that drivers who travel to work daily along a road that has ongoing construction for a sustained period of time leave it to the last minute to try and merge into the correct lane because they are clueless. It is my contention that they have an egotistical mindset and truly believe that merging into the correct lane early enough to promote a smooth and SAFE passage for everyone, though this may tack an extra 15 seconds of drive time to their journey, is beneath them. I’m sure as they fly passed all of us drivers who do merge safely they are chanting out loud “What are you losers waiting for?” They know EXACTLY what they are doing, they are just so arrogant that they don’t care their actions ahead cutting in on someone at the last moment will cause everyone who waited to have to brake suddenly and maybe cause an accident in bad weather conditions. They are self obsessed oafs who have no business behind the wheel of a go cart let alone a car or more often than not a truck.
Amen! Some people just don’t get it. Many intelligent people seem to lose 50 IQ points the minute they get behind the wheel of a car. The only thing that drives me crazier than stopping at the end of a merge lane is not ever using a turn signal. They put those on cars for a reason.
thanks you
thanks a lot.
thanks for sharing
Yes, indeed! Such species do exist, one of which is Asperger folks! They are awesome people, but socially are absolutely clueless!! Their brains are wired a little differently. Once you get to know them, they’re great, but boy can they wreck havoc in a social unspoken scenario!! And about the merging thing, my mother-in-law is definately one of those people who honestly would not notice that she needed to merge until she was right up on it! Riding with her has always scared me to death!! And I don’t think she has ever learned what a turn signal is! Gee!!!
thanks…
thank you well
thanks
And I don’t think she has ever learned what a turn signal is! Gee!!!