Metering is ON
suntimes
 

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Take a breath before you beep

Story Image

FILE - Motorists sit in a Chicago traffic jam in this May 15, 2008 file photo. The number of people dying on the nation's roads has fallen to its lowest level in six decades, helped by a combination of seat belts, safer cars and tougher enforcement of drunken driving laws the Transportation Department said late Wednesday Sept. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, FIle)

storyidforme: 24729537
tmspicid: 9052379
fileheaderid: 4122279

Updated: February 27, 2012 9:48AM



As a former resident of another area, I can say that the aggressive honker is a breed special to the roads of Chicagoland.

Nothing can ruin a perfect morning drive full of ’80s music and freshly brewed venti sugar-free, low fat, triple shot, decaf peppermint chocolate mocha with light whip like an abrupt honk from behind, causing that $6 drink to spill all over Dockers khakis that are as old as the music.

So, for all those people who feel it is necessary to honk at the person in front of you the millisecond the light turns green, try something all of our parents taught us growing up. Take three deep breaths instead of laying on the horn immediately and racing to the next red light, where you get to repeat the process all over again.

This approach will prevent you from arriving at work with white knuckles and it will save your fellow commuters many trips to the dry cleaners. Hey, who knows, this more relaxed way of driving may even relieve that chronic back pain that you’ve been having and slow down your rapidly graying hair.

If you could try this out for me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Matt Plowman, Elmhurst

Latest News Videos
© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.

Comments  Click here to view or make a comment