Isn't it amazing how safety is a relative concept?

[Kurn]

As a trucker I see it every day.It's not just the cell phones or other distractions,it's mostly the arrogant,"me first" attitude most drivers have today.Speeding,cutting people off,going around the gates,and a host of other idiot moves.People actually think a train or a truck will stop just for THEM.But rarely will you see a news account blaming the moron driver,usually it's just "truck crash",or "train wreck".

[jchnhtfd]

Risk perception is a fascinating field, and the perception of risk by most folks has almost nothing to do with the actual risk level. Their are a number of things which appear to influence risk perception, but the most common are familiarity (oh yeah, another accident on the highway -- so what?) and control. People will accept astonishingly high levels of risk when the risk is familiar and commonplace, or when they feel in control. On the other hand, if the risk is unfamiliar (such as a serious rail accident, or an airplane crash) or they don't feel themselves to be in control (which applies to rail accidents and airplane crashes, but also to such risks as hazardous chemicals in the environment and the like) people will usually first estimate that the risk is much higher than it actually is and, second, not accept the risk.

We also see this in the case of war casualties or even more emphatically the casualties resulting from terrorist acts.

This is just human nature -- it's always been that way.

Just to get some life here (grin), a good example is the overall risk to the population of various forms of power generation (considered from the beginning to the end of the process -- from initial construction and initial extraction of the energy source to the end -- final disposal of any and all wastes created). Taken that way, and properly assessed, nuclear power is several orders of magnitude LESS risky than coal fired power -- and yet the general public assessess nuclear power as far more risky than coal fired.

The more common example has been pointed out above -- the relative risk in getting from point x to point y by car is far greater than in flying or taking the train, but...

[jchnhtfd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kurn

As a trucker I see it every day.It's not just the cell phones or other distractions,it's mostly the arrogant,"me first" attitude most drivers have today.Speeding,cutting people off,going around the gates,and a host of other idiot moves.People actually think a train or a truck will stop just for THEM.But rarely will you see a news account blaming the moron driver,usually it's just "truck crash",or "train wreck".

Amen, brother Kurn. See also my remarks under the 'Retards' thread...

[dharmon]

"Me First!" is the California state motto..........

I didn't realize how bad it was until I went to South Carolina for a conference.........I started to swear at a dumb driver for poking along, unitl I realized he was motioning for me to pull out ahead of him. .....I wasn't quite sure how to react to courtesy!

I would attribute the Me First mentality to 80% of CA's traffic problems. The "I've got to get one more car ahead", the "I'm not going to allow anyone to get in front of me, so I'll follow too close..", the "I'll drive whatever speed I want in whatever lane I'm in (both too fast and too slow)", and the "I have the the more expensive car, therefore right of way" approach, really help smooth the traffic flow, not to mention reduce the overall safety of all.....

[kevarc]

YOu ought to go to south Texas - I wasn't ready for them to drive on the shoulder to let you by.

And over in Mississippi , I was working out in the sticks and every one passing you going the other way waved.

[dharmon]

I am from Texas.......

[daveklepper]

I'll try to be as considerate as the examples posted myself. Thanks for the tips!

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

"Me First!" is the California state motto..........

I would attribute the Me First mentality to 80% of CA's traffic problems. The "I've got to get one more car ahead", the "I'm not going to allow anyone to get in front of me, so I'll follow too close..", the "I'll drive whatever speed I want in whatever lane I'm in (both too fast and too slow)", and the "I have the the more expensive car, therefore right of way" approach, really help smooth the traffic flow, not to mention reduce the overall safety of all.....

Lincoln must have a lot of California Drivers! Take 'em back!

[spbed]

Well for sure that is the motto of the drivers in Florida![:p][:D]

Originally posted by dharmon

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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