driving me crazy

I heard a comedian talking once about how people change when they are driving. There is so much truth in that statement. I mean, I realize that some people may always be rude and selfish, but for most people, I think the driving changes them. It's like people have driving alter-egos. Someone can be one way while in any other situation, but put them behind the wheel of a car and they go Incredible Hulk on you. With a few examples, I hope I can enlighten you about this fact. I will try to describe a scenario that is common when driving and then paint an "out-of-car" scenario where most people would not act the same way. In our examples, Lester will represent an average individual. Example 1: Waiting in line

• A long line of cars is in the right hand lane coming up to a traffic light. Lester decides it's not worth waiting in the line, being stuck in the line during a few light cycles. Lester proceeds to drive up the left hand lane which turns into a "left turn only" lane ahead. Seeing a small opening, Lester pulls in front of an unsuspecting car, cutting it off. Lester goes through the traffic light just before it turns red.
• A long line of customers are waiting their turn in a bank. Lester decides he does not feel like being stuck in line waiting for a teller for the next 10-15 minutes. Lester proceeds to walk past the line barriers towards the front of the line. Seeing a small opening, Lester steps over the line barrier in front of an unsuspecting customer, cutting them. Lester arrives just in time to hear, "Next!" and take care of his banking business.

Most people probably read the first scenario in ex. 1 without even batting an eyelash. You many have even said to yourself or aloud, "Yep. I've done that." or "Happens all the time." Reading the second scenario, however, most people probably thought it was preposterous. Let's look at another example.

Example 2: "Move it!"

• Lester is driving down a small state highway with a single lane on his side of the road. Lester is coasting along at 59 (a mere 9 above the limit of 50) when he is forced to suddenly hit his brakes. He is stuck behind a car being driven by an elderly man who is going only 50 (the nerve, right at the speed limit). Frustrated that the car in front of him is traveling so slowly, Lester begins pressing the horn and yelling at the old man to "move it!" Finally the road adds another lane and Lester flies by the elderly driver, staring him down as he goes.
• Lester is walking down a narrow corridor at a nice steady pace when he is forced to slow his pace and almost stop. He is stuck being an elderly man who is walking at a slow pace with the assistance of a cane. Frustrated that the old man is walking so slowly, Lester pulls out an air horn and begins blowing it into the elderly man's ear. Lester also began yelling at the old man to "move it!" Finally the corridor leads into a large atrium and Lester paces past the elderly man, staring him down as he goes.

Once again, scenario one in ex. 2 probably felt a little familiar and scenario two probably felt a little unbelievable. Let's look at one final example.

Example 3: "Your fault!"

• Lester is driving down the highway in the passing lane when he decides to merge into the 2nd lane. A driver in the 1st lane also decides to merge into the 2nd lane at the same time. At the last second, each driver realizes the other is there, and swerves to avoid the other. A near miss. No damage done. Still, Lester pulls into the 2nd lane and through a closed window becomes animated yelling at the other driver. He even flips the other driver off before tailing the car and driving aggressively. Finally the person pulls off the highway and each driver goes his separate way.
• Lester is pushing his cart through a grocery store when he goes to turn down Aisle 6. Someone is pushing a cart from Aisle 6 to the main aisle. The two carts almost collide but in the last second each shopper sees the other and avoids it. Lester then begins following the shopper around the store, tailing them, pushing his cart aggressively. Lester becomes animated and begins yelling at the other shopper, even going so far as to flip him off. Finally the shoppers each check out and go their separate ways.

Once again, many people will have a familiarity with scenario 1 in ex. 3. But let's face it, most if not all of us have never seen anything like scenario 2. Let's face it, usually the exact opposite occurs. People usually both say sorry and look to take the blame. "Sorry, I didn't see you." "No problem, I didn't see you either. I wasn't paying attention." "Have a good day." "You too, sorry."

People simply become different when driving. I will admit, I am guilty. Such is life.