l-economics

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Faulty Economics

Like many of us in this world, I still try to obey the traffic laws.

Your Aug. 17 story (“The Economics of Bad Driving”), which featured comments by some irresponsible people who put their own wishes before the safety of others, is, we fear, indicative of a rising number of selfish individuals who don’t wish to follow any “rules” but their own. These laws were written for a reason.

Every day we hear of terrible accidents, and no doubt many were caused by people with attitudes like this. They “cut off” trucks, causing jack-knifing; their speeding causes death and destruction. Those “few seconds” which they try to put into every day might just end up costing them, and hopefully just them, their lives, their cars, their jobs, their homes, their insurance, their legs, their children … the list can go on.

We have nearly all been victimized at one time or another by people like these. Many innocent people have suffered and paid the ultimate price. Police should not have to be “everywhere” watching traffic. Responsible adults should watch their own driving behavior so that police could do their own work.

“Getting caught” might just cost these persons more than they realize at the moment. As long as they think only along selfish lines, they had better think what one big accident will cost them. The price of a traffic ticket will seem like peanuts when they or their victims have to go to the morgue.

EILEEN SCHENCK

Downey

???

While it is difficult to make generalities about the people who exhibit aggressive driving behavior, I think your subhead on the “Economics of Bad Driving” article, “Why Do We Race Around Town? Hint: It’s Not Just a Matter of Being Rude” is a stretch. It is just a matter of being rude. Cutting motorists off, pressuring pedestrians in crosswalks, honking the moment a light turns green, tailgating and fuming behind a slower-moving vehicle, and so on, takes its toll on everyone. Instead of becoming upset and equally riled up, I try to concentrate on the courteous people on the road fortunately, they are the majority. I will make way for someone who’s “beside him/herself” it’s hard, but, in exercising a little empathy, I actually breathe a sigh of relief that I’m not under that kind of pressure. But bottom line, whatever the reasons that drive it, the behavior is rudeus maximus.

JANICE CONVERY

Los Angeles

If the J.J. Yores, Mark Levins and Allison Blinders of the world were risking only their own lives and property for the dubious economic “benefit” of a few minutes saved, frankly I wouldn’t give a damn. Unfortunately, they’re risking the lives and property of everyone else on the road as well. With some 30 years experience behind the wheel, I’m challenged daily by impatient drivers darting into traffic, blasting through intersections and tailgating at 70 mph on freeways. And I can’t help but be terrified that my newly licensed 16-year-old daughter doesn’t yet have the skills to save herself from becoming a victim of their reckless disregard for the rules. I can see no economic justification for playing fast and loose with other people’s safety.

CHRISTINE WIPFF

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