Digital Narcissism is annoying
There are many trends regarding driving in NJ that should tick most sensible vehicular operators off. There are too many to list – we’d be here all day!
But we have some that we run into daily. Such as hesitant, slow, unassertive drivers. Their fear and over-cautiousness actually make the roads less safe for everyone else who understands the “natural pulse” of a road – and not just posted signs from some horrific “authority.”
Another is what we call the “digitally narcissistic pricks” who forgot (or never knew) the unwritten laws of the road when it comes to reaction time.
More specifically, I mean PAYING ATTENTION TO TRAFFIC LIGHTS.
For anyone who has an ounce of observational skills, answer this question:
How many times have you missed a light because the “line” who was waiting their turn to GO – moved so SLOWLY (a literal crawl) – that only a few cars “made” the light?
This happens DAILY for us. Often multiple times PER TRIP.
GET OFF YOUR PHONE!
Digital addiction is getting worse by the day. People just CANNOT stop looking at their phones.
While driving. As they’re slowing down. Or even at full speed. And especially at STOP LIGHTS. Completely unaware that there are often other people waiting for their (lack of) actions so they can continue on their journey.
I don’t even know what it is they need to look at. Most of the time it’s social media – or stupid texting about nonsensical things. Doesn’t matter what it is – most certainly it is about THEM, at your expense.
Back in the day when we learned to drive – we did nothing BUT pay attention to the traffic signals. Heck, drivers from our time anticipated everything, and often got rolling BEFORE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN! And this was before “delayed” signals that supposedly make us safer and prevent collisions (delayed greens are quite smart, by the way).
Today, the slow crawl / delayed start at most traffic lights is unnecessary and wasteful. All that time that technology was supposed to save humanity – is probably all lost just because of the hangups the rest of us get because of these self-centered dickheads that cannot pay attention to the roads or have courtesy for other drivers.
This has to be addressed somehow. I know people will not change unless their comfort-zone gets disturbed.
Any suggestions on how to fix this that is not illegal?
