31 violent deaths in California over the weekend: Road wars rage on.

[azul]

Just saw it on the news 1300 arrested for DUI and 31 fatalities. Acceptable enough?

But this is a war where average people get to wield deadly weapons in varied states of impairment, physical and moral, and display bravery and skill in the face of rage and foolishness and danger. Bloodsport, with rubbernecking.

Overpopulation of human racers, or under black-topped? (The authorities keep promsing to build more and better roads but the state is like bankrupt.)

[ejpoeta]

1. the number of roads isn't going to change the fact that idiots drink and drive.

people drive like idiots. it's a fact of life. under the influence of alcohol or not, people still drive like idiots. whether in california or NY (where i am). Just in the 20 minute drive to the store i tend to have at least three people either pull out in front of me, cut me off or otherwise try to cause an accident on any given day. no matter the weather. in the winter with the ice.... in the rain.... doesn't matter. like i said when they gave me my license back in 1991.... they must have been handing them out to everyone. they must still. i was a horrible driver. at least i have improved. some have just gotten worse.

[Echo In Light]

8. On my way to work just now...

I come upon a fleet of cars all stuck doing about 25 in a 40 - in a two lane, nonetheless!!! ...yet no one makes any attempt to go around.

Okay. So, simply by doing the speed limit (which, to be fair, I tend to be heavy-footed, only in this case I'm doing about 40) I pass the long line, only to get stuck at a red light.

Light turns green, and suddenly the s l o w - m o driver who was just holding everyone up for well over a mile is in all kinds of a hurry to stay side by side with me, like she thinks she's racing me or something. Just goes to show it's usually vindictiveness at work with such A-holes, and not merely being aloof.

[azul]

10. Rage. Many people self-medicate. nt

[Echo In Light]

12. The telling, all-American aspect is how no one would attempt to simply go around

for me that's very revealing: it's fair to suppose that not every one of those, say, ten drivers 'stuck' within a very slow moving lane for a long stretch of road were content driving 15mph below the posted speed limit, yet NONE made any attempt to switch lanes and go around. And then when one does, the manipulator controlling the fleet's speed was angered. Seems pretty obvious as to why.

[ejpoeta]

14. i believe it. i have to confess i get mad at other drivers passing me

but when i am doing the speed limit or over... i have taken to using my cruise control when possible to try to stave off that feeling. people are like that though.... i don't quite know why. i have had people pass me going up a hill and pass me and other cars i am following just to not get any father then we did. it's crazy!! i try to give myself plenty of time whenever possible and also remember that my goal is to get where i am going and do so in one piece. i have kids in my car... i think people,instead of defensive driving are using offensive driving.... you'll get out of my way or you'll get hit.

[Recursion]

2. You can't pave your way out of traffic congestion

Every state that tries it finds that when they build more roads, more people drive on them and the problem gets worse. Yet another argument for mass transit.

[Blue_Tires]

7. +1

Atlanta is a great example

[azul]

15. build the roads and they will come.

And make big messes. Mostly because the growing population is not offered reasonable and sustainable choices of lifestyle are we saddled with this non-stop bloody roadway wishing for a better path.

[sui generis]

3. I'm going with overpopuluation of the underintelligent

We should require a license to reproduce. I mean really, adoption agencies check your underwear for appropriateness before you can adopt; analyze your spending habits, white-glove your kitchen, give you dozens of psych tests, require you to attend parenting classes.

How utterly fucking stupid when the slack jawed gap toothed gun totin' loose nostril no neck motherfucker next door can just fuck his fetal alcohol cousin and squeeze out another piece of brain dead piss poor protoplasm.

Seriesly.

:P

[snooper2]

4. well, if your state gives out enough DUIs

you may get your budget under control :evilgrin:

[azul]

11. Too bad the gropenator will have to cut the CHP

just to threaten the state with lawlessness if he doesn't get his budget concessions.

And release more DUI convicts back onto the race track to boot.

[JVS]

5. Hardcore!

[havocmom]

6. Seem to recall the Memorial Weekend Toll being higher in CA when I was young

Perhaps the lower number is due to the banning of cars? :evilgrin:

[EFerrari]

9. 1300? That's ridiculous. n/t

[lies and propaganda]

16. Its kind of... the biggest state in the union

not really taht shocking.. Im sure Alabama had about half that total too, and they are a fraction our size.

[EFerrari]

17. And those are only the drivers that were picked up.

I didn't hear much in the way of deterrence ads this year. There's probably no money for them.

[L0oniX]

13. Sorry ...we're too busy catching up on Susan Boyle to be interested.

:sarcasm:

[sarcasmo]

18. While Marijuana is still outlawed, Alcohol is A, OK under the law.