Road Rage On A Page

I have friends that have been driving since before they were legally allowed to. In our society, it's a right of passage to adulthood - especially for teenage males. My dad always owned a license and renewed it regularly even though we never owned a car. When driver's ed became available to me in high school, I quickly jumped at the opportunity to learn this skill that my friends already knew. Instructors teach you the skills needed to drive the car and the rules of the road. So why are there so many people out there who don't know the basics to driving? I know there will always be bad drivers, but there are certain rules which I believe all drivers should comply with to be civil to each other and decrease the amount of road rage on the roads.

First, you need to use your turning signals. My ESP doesn't always work and I can't decipher that by pulling all the way to the right, you are actually planning a left turn or a U-turn. Even worse is the driver who slows down the driver behind him, makes him miss the light and then speeds through a red to make a turn.

If you can't pass a parked car you shouldn't be driving. I understand that sometimes morons stop in the center of the street, but if you pull as close to the car next to you on your side, you should have tons of space on the other side. Most roads are made to squeeze in one to two more cars side by side if need be (in case emergency vehicles and such need to get through). Use the space. Let's take it a step further. Yes, there are garbage trucks that stop in the middle of the road, but when you see the truck pull to the side and the driver tries to wave you past - GO! You have at least two feet on each side of your car and the twenty vehicles you've backed up behind you can ALL see this.

A yield sign only turns into a stop if another car is approaching and you cannot go. THEN you yield to the incoming traffic. Otherwise, DO NOT STOP. Slow down and go if no one is coming. There is a reason I am honking behind you. It's because I'm about to yield right past you since there is absolutely no traffic on the road.

Finally, save the drama and the stupid faces when everyone looks at you like you're a moron. You are. Accept that you're a substandard driver and move on. If it were up to me, there would be a follow up test a year after you get your license and if you can't pass a garbage truck or double parked car, or don't know how to yield, then we're taking the license back. The world is overpopulated and the roads are crowded. Getting you off the road is the best bet to keep traffic moving and decrease road rage by stopping someone from killing you.

I won't justify my comments with reasons or any sort of explanation. By definition, rage is visceral - so why bother. Besides, at least I'm not starting an argument on the road...