KEN'S KORNER -MARCH 2008
A THIRD WORLD MENTALITY
BY AUTHOR, EDUCATOR & DRIVER KEN SKAGGS
A good friend of mine just got back from the Philippines and he said that every vehicle there was tailgating and constantly honking their horns at each other. After driving around there for a few weeks, he actually thought the idea of tailgating was a good one. He said it worked for them and that they were so used to it that it didn’t offend anyone when they were being tailgated or honked at.
Knowing I am not a big fan of tailgating, he tried to defend it as a system that works when applied correctly. So I did a little research and it was very easy to show him that some of the worst traffic jams in the world take place in the Philippines. When he realized that, he admitted he did see some tremendous jams while there and he came back to the realization that tailgating causes traffic jams – no matter what country you are in.
In Mexico it is pretty bad, too. Over the years, I’ve been to most of the border cities, and I can tell you without exception, there are always a lot of traffic jams, tailgating and horn honking going on south of our border. Even on our side of the border, near Mexico, a lot of people drive that way. The closer you get to Mexico, the more likely you are to encounter a third-world traffic jam where people block intersections because they think if they let crossing traffic through somehow that will slow them down, and where people honk their horns habitually at the stopped traffic ahead, even when they can’t see the problem.
I’m sure that most OTR truckers have seen the lines of trucks at the border crossing in Laredo. The trucks are lined up for blocks, coming from every direction that leads to the crossing point. Many of them sit there and honk their horn at the stationary line, as if it will help. There are always a few of them with their doors wide open, standing on the step, looking ahead as they honk when all they can see is a line of trucks that goes around a corner. Most of them know they are still several blocks away from the bridge to Mexico, but they still honk. I want to ask them what exactly they are honking at. The jam is at the bridge, where customs officials only let one truck at a time in, and traffic is merging from at least three directions at the nearest intersection. I am absolutely certain that nobody at the bridge or at the intersection where it all merges together can hear them so far away. So again, I can’t imagine what they are honking at. They must be trying to say, “When this line does move, stay tight.”
Before you go getting all offended because I called Mexico a third-world country, please keep in mind what I’m talking about is a driving mindset. I know that technically Mexico is not a third-world country, but they do drive like it. I also understand that it’s not their fault. After all, 10-4 Magazine isn’t exactly in the news-stands in Mexico (except for a few copies that make their way across the border with some drivers). It is found near the border though, so maybe a few people will get it (not only the magazine but the whole notion that tailgating causes traffic jams).
Some drivers would argue that New York City is a third-world city. I would definitely agree that New Yorkers often drive that way. New York City taxi drivers actually honk their horns at red lights. I’m not kidding. They do it in downtown Chicago, too, and I’m sure they do it in a lot of big cities. I can kind of expect it from a third-world driver because that style of driving is what they are accustomed to. But when does common sense kick in? When will someone ask them exactly what it is they are honking at, if they think the honking will help, and, especially, if they think all that honking bothers people – or if they even care?
Some truck drivers are just as bad as third-world drivers. The closer you get to New York City, the more aggravated truckers are on the CB, cussing each other out for every infraction they see (or what their misguided way of thinking concludes is an infraction). We have all come to expect it these days. But horn honking is something new, I think. I have never really thought much about it, but lately I have noticed a lot of truck drivers honking their horns. Maybe it’s just me. I’ve been to the New York area a lot lately and to a few border towns as well, so it is a fresh reminder for me of the whole third-world mentality that is trying to take over our roads. I, for one, am not going to let them win. I will continue to pound the pulpit here (and on the CB) until everyone gets it: tailgating is what causes traffic jams, and horn honking does nothing.
There are really only two instances where honking your horn is helpful – when the driver in front of you has fallen asleep or if someone is about to hit your vehicle and seems to be looking in another direction. That’s it. There is no other reason to honk your horn. And there is never a good reason to tailgate. I know it gets emotional out here, especially when traffic is heavy, but if nobody wants to let anybody in front of them, how can anyone merge?
Cars + trucks – space = traffic jam. Add some space to this equation by keeping some in front of you – it really works, I do it every day. And spread the word. I do that every day as well, on the CB radio, here in 10-4 Magazine and on my website located at www.bigcitydriver.com. Check it out when you get a chance, and tell a friend. Together we can put a stop to traffic jams and help prevent our great country from becoming a nation filled with drivers who have a third-world mentality!