"N2EY" wrote:

Remember the scenario Kim describes:

- multilane divided highway
- all vehicles at or above the posted speed limit.
- vehicle comes up behind her, flashes brights,
follows too closely, tries to get around on the
*inside* shoulder. IOW, unsafe, aggressive
driving actions intended to intimidate Kim.
(as if!!)


That's your (and/or perhaps Kim's) interpretation of the scenario. Others
may interpret it as Kim being an inattentive driver that is not acting
courteously to others by driving to the right, causing others to take
extraordinary steps to get her attention back on the road and courteous
driving (with extraordinary steps being necessary to get someone to drive
courteously only adding to the fustration of other drivers).


She's only blocking those who want to speed
faster than she wants to speed.


Exactly. However, as you well know, she doesn't have a mandate, or a
right, to self-enforce how fast others drive. Instead, she has the same
obligations as other drivers, including an obligation to move to the right
to allow others to pass. If others are driving too fast while doing so, that
is law enforcement's business - not the business of a self-styled road
vigilante.


But the behavior/reward model I gave is valid.
For both children and alleged adults.


I disagree. For it to be valid, you would have to establish there is
nothing more than childhood impulse behind the decision drive fast - impulse
that can be easily modified by simple rewards. And you haven't established
that. Adults can make decisions based on some level of knowledge,
experience, and review of the situation, not impulse. In the case of fast
drivers, perhaps the driver feels, based on a consideration of his/her
skills and experience, that he/she can drive safely at faster speeds. For
example, I've driven many thousands of miles on German autobahns, and know
full well I can drive safely at speeds faster than 55-65 mph (therefore only
the laws and conditions attenuate my driving speeds). Perhaps the person has
a legitimate reason for driving faster. For example, the driver may be
taking someone to the hospital (and Kim is blocking his way). I could go on,
but these examples alone should make it clear that not all are acting solely
on impulse that can be easily modified by simple rewards.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/