We’re driving far too aggressively

You’re driving the main road to town so you can get donuts on a Sunday morning. Your peaceful trip ends abruptly when you’re nearly sideswiped by a driver in a six-ton vehicle. The other motorist is either rushing to an accident or he’s about to cause one.

The “almost” car wreck upsets you, but you control your temper by mumbling under your breath.

Just as you’re regaining your composure, you find other aggressive drivers who won’t let you on the freeway. You spill your coffee.

Obnoxious motorists continue to plague you all the way home. You’re about to explode with anger. You’re on the verge of becoming just another badtempered Southern Californian who’s trying to get somewhere on our overcrowded and gridlocked streets and highways. Somebody should write a book on how to deal with aggressive drivers.

Making an obscene gesture, flashing your lights or blowing your horn are out because they can and do provoke road rage. What’s causing it? Maybe we’re watching too many movies, too much TV, and playing too many video games. Violence and aggression are everywhere. Even worse, the fuses on our tempers will be even shorter with summer heat waves. And maybe we’re drinking too much caffeine.

It’s hard to be happy on America’s streets and highways of today. Common courtesy is no longer fashionable.

It’s a bad reflection on all of us.