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DearSergio t1_j9a3q21 wrote

Reply to comment by TecumsehSherman in Massachusetts Drivers after one (1) person cuts them off on the road. by graemeknows

You know after being radicalized against cars and supporting public transportation I started to notice something. I do get angry when I drive.

It's apparently a thing, a psychological event that people experience when driving but I never really noticed it until recently.

I get tense, squeeze the steering wheel, yell at people. I always thought it was like normal to drive aggressively bc everyone else is and I have to look out for myself etc etc but the anger that comes with that mindset is easily overlooked.

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Cersad t1_j9ajt8n wrote

Newer cars have auto-lane assist and auto-follow cruise control.

When I got the chance to drive in traffic with a car like that, it was amazing how much more calm I felt after driving. Something about not having to make split-second braking or acceleration to match other drivers just took the edge off for me.

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DearSergio t1_j9av2o5 wrote

It blows my mind that people don't use CC on the highway. Also how comfortable people are being like 4ft away from a big rig.

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Cersad t1_j9aw54x wrote

To be fair, "dumb" cruise control from my old early-aughts beater is more trouble than it's worth in most traffic in Massachusetts. The adaptive cruise control that controls your following distance is a complete revolution by comparison.

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fuzzykittyfeets t1_j9aelpj wrote

Obviously this is totally different, but studies have shown just the presence (not possession) of a weapon will make people more aggressive.

I wonder if it’s hitting a similar brain button for you because you hate cars so much.

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