Okay I'll explain right now that I think racing is stupid and I just want to get where I want to go. I always hate being the first one at a traffic light because I know someone will pull up beside me to race. Is that supposed to be cool? Difficult? Fun? Someone please shed some light on this for me.
2007-06-19 06:20:15 · 12 answers · asked by wise_guy_81 2 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
People are in general so competitive, it makes them want to be first, and its kind of a power move. Gives them a sense of control in traffic, where everyone knows the rage and frustration that commuting can make. Or maybe they think that being fast makes them a bigger person. Usually they are lacking in some other area and need a fast car to be cool.
If you want to stay out of traffic jams, do like my Dad taught me. On the freeway, go the speed limit, use your cruise, and stay in the middle lane. You will get to your destination with way less frustration, and unless traffic is actually stopped, you hardly ever get stuck in one of those traffic bunches. Way less frustration.
Just ignore the racers. You have no obligation to even pay attention to them. Don't even pass them a glance, and it will bug them worse, and you can just get where you are going. Racing is not only stupid, its also illegal and dangerous.
2007-06-19 06:30:54 · answer #1 · answered by 2 Happily Married Americans 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fun, sure it is. A car is more than a vehicle to take you from point A to B. When you buy a car, almost 3/5 of the money goes for the suspension and and the horses in engine (horsepower) so it wouldn't make sense if you don't use the them. That would be like a blind man who owns a mirror, so you ought to use speed up a little, that doesn't mean go extremely above the speed limit. If you don't, the engine and suspension would be a waste, you would be better off spending your money on a bicycle. So it's not racing, it's just enjoying the benefits of your hard earned money.
2007-06-19 07:12:54 · answer #2 · answered by Frankie T. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do not know much about Racing at a stop light? Perhaps in some sort of James Dean demension.
However, your question on why people speed is interesting. While I disagree with you on the drag racing at a light, I think there is merrit in the fact that being passed or the act of passing is an act of domination. In a sense, it's an Alpha-Male mentality. at a sub-concious level are we saying to ourselves when passing..."hehe...I'm better that you? I can go faster? I'm more fit that you because I'm faster"
Perhaps it's a Darwinian survival of the fitest concept.
2007-06-19 06:33:16 · answer #3 · answered by TheGarlicButterSaw 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where do you live that someone's always trying to race you at a stoplight? Sounds like something out of Grease...
OK, anyway, I think it's because nobody has any free time anymore, and we live in a society where we're always late for something because we're trying to pack in everything into a 24-hour day. We have to balance careers which are increasingly more demanding, children who seem to have a different after-school activity every day, spouses, and then we still have to find time to eat and sleep. We have to speed when we drive just to get home and maybe have 15 minutes to just relax. It's sad but true.
2007-06-19 06:29:01 · answer #4 · answered by fizzygurrl1980 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have noticed over the years (I drive about 50,000 miles a year) that when you pass someone they speed up. It seems to be an unintentional act but it is true.
If everyone that is passed speeds up just a little, after a 50 miles trip, you could be doing well over the speed limit when you get where you're going.
It seems everyone these days are in a hurry to get somewhere then probably don't even want to be. I suggest take it easy and let them go. Be safe and live lone.
2007-06-19 06:27:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some people want to be first, the leader of the pack.
Some people are always in a hurry.
Some people are what used to be called Type A personalities.
2007-06-19 06:28:09 · answer #6 · answered by nickipettis 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is an ego thing. My car is better than your car or I am a better driver than you are. I always enjoy when someone zooms by me on the interstate and I see them pulled over by a state patrolman getting a ticket. Evil, but enjoyable.
2007-06-19 06:28:46 · answer #7 · answered by don n 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Driving is like surfing. Some of us don't want to just sit in the water & wait for a wave...we keep moving so that when the swell is just right, we can catch it before someone else does! OOFAH.
2007-06-19 07:32:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's too hard to drive over the top of them,
altho I do laugh when I see a Hummer sitting in traffic jam.
It's like "Hey, go for it! Why did you buy that thing?"
2007-06-19 08:53:17 · answer #9 · answered by pops 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part of this is perception. The comic George Carlin said it best: "Ever notice when you're driving that everyone going faster than you is a maniac and everyone going slower than you is an idiot.".
2007-06-19 06:48:36 · answer #10 · answered by CanProf 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋