why is it called rubbernecking? why do people do it?

[BlahBlahYouToo]

EVERYBODY hates the rubbernecker. i don't know one person who doesn't.
but yet we still have those who will brake, look over the divider where it's usually just a fender bender, slowing traffic down on the opposite-bound lanes.
the question is, if everyone hates it, how is it possible that we still have those people who do it?
are we all just hypocrits? is it just a phenomenon that exists in the US?

also, why is it called rubbernecking?

 

[OdiN]

Because you're stretching and craning your neck to see what's going on, not paying attention to the road, so you slow down.

 

[OdiN]

Also - DUH!

 

[finite automaton]

Google motherf*cker

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When...necking_come_in_to_use

 

[Anubis]

because people take joy in the misery of others

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
EVERYBODY hates the rubbernecker. i don't know one person who doesn't.
but yet we still have those who will brake, look over the divider where it's usually just a fender bender, slowing traffic down on the opposite-bound lanes.
the question is, if everyone hates it, how is it possible that we still have those people who do it?
are we all just hypocrites? is it just a phenomenon that exists in the US?

also, why is it called rubbernecking?

yes

 

[Xavier434]

I think a lot of people also do it because accidents include the passengers and emergency personnel standing around the vehicles. People slow down so they reduce the chances of hitting one of these people.

I realize that such risks are very much tied around the situation on a case by case basis and sometimes that reasoning is just stupid but it happens.

 

[EKKC]

i just do it so others behind me get more pissed off than i have been

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: Xavier434
I think a lot of people also do it because accidents include the passengers and emergency personnel standing around the vehicles. People slow down so they reduce the chances of hitting one of these people.

I realize that such risks are very much tied around the situation on a case by case basis and sometimes that reasoning is just stupid but it happens.

I'd say not most of the time. People slow down even if the wreck is across a divided highway and there are no emergency vehicles around. Probably just to see if there are any bodies or whatever.

And Seattle people are the worst. They practically stop for almost anything. Guy changing a tire, someone getting a ticket etc. It's nuts.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Xavier434
I think a lot of people also do it because accidents include the passengers and emergency personnel standing around the vehicles. People slow down so they reduce the chances of hitting one of these people.

I realize that such risks are very much tied around the situation on a case by case basis and sometimes that reasoning is just stupid but it happens.

Not when they're on the other side of the highway...

It's funny how traffic slows to a crawl near an accident, but people fly by traffic stops.

 

[JulesMaximus]

why do people do it?

Because they're idiots! :|

I'd love to go up and beat every single person who does this about the head with a large mouth bass. Seriously, I would.

Nothing pisses me off more than 10 miles of gridlock traffic because a bunch of fuckwads want to see some blood and gore or to gawk at a couple vehicles that smashed into each other. I think all highway dividers should be concrete walls that are 6' high.

 

[BrownTown]

So do ya'll think that accidents re the only place you can rubberneck? I was driving yesterday and went by one of those "high school girls in bikini car washes" and that totally almost caused me to get in a wreck .

 

[Krazy4Real]

People are too nosy.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Xavier434
I think a lot of people also do it because accidents include the passengers and emergency personnel standing around the vehicles. People slow down so they reduce the chances of hitting one of these people.

I realize that such risks are very much tied around the situation on a case by case basis and sometimes that reasoning is just stupid but it happens.

Bullshit. I can't tell you how many times I've been stuck in gridlock traffic because of an accident on the OTHER side of the freeway. Nothing at all blocking the freeway in the direction I'm travelling, just a bunch of jackasses slowing down to look at the carnage. :|

 

[pontifex]

it always amazes me that people on here will know what the most obscure internet trend means but don't know what common phrases mean.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Somebody was changing a sign on the interstate up here... caused a 2 mile backup. The sign was WELL off to road.

 

[oznerol]

"Everybody" does not hate the rubbernecking. It's why it exists. Particularly when the highway is reaching max capacity, the actions of a minority have exponential effects on the majority. Even if for every 50 drivers, 1 slows down, the ripple effect can be pretty surprising.

I've always thought it would be beneficial if officers/firemen/EMTs put up a large curtain along the side of the road to cover up whatever chaos might be there. I wonder if it would help or if people would slow down to see the large, mysterious curtain.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: ducci
"Everybody" does not hate the rubbernecking. It's why it exists. Particularly when the highway is reaching max capacity, the actions of a minority have exponential effects on the majority. Even if for every 50 drivers, 1 slows down, the ripple effect can be pretty surprising.

I've always thought it would be beneficial if officers/firemen/EMTs put up a large curtain along the side of the road to cover up whatever chaos might be there. I wonder if it would help or if people would slow down to see the large, mysterious curtain.

I think they do that in the UK actually. I'm not sure how effective it is though.

 

[GoingUp]

There was a scientific study. People ruberneck to see what happened so they have a better idea of what to do if they would face the same situation.

Its a survival instinct.

 

[zoiks]

Why isn't it illegal anyway? Why don't they hand out tickets for rubbernecking? After all if you were to tally up the time for all the other drivers behind you, wouldn't that mean a high decrease in productivity.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Anubis
because people take joy in the misery of others

Isn't this your mantra?

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: Xavier434
I think a lot of people also do it because accidents include the passengers and emergency personnel standing around the vehicles. People slow down so they reduce the chances of hitting one of these people.

I realize that such risks are very much tied around the situation on a case by case basis and sometimes that reasoning is just stupid but it happens.

That's irrelevant if the action is all on the other side of the divider.

OP, the big problem is that it only takes a few morons to slow down in order for the freeway to become clogged for hours. Once rubbernecking starts, it will last long after the accident is completely cleaned up.

On the drive between Phoenix and Tucson, there's a big "Christmas Village" with some retarded rides and displays on the side of the road. For the 3 months out of the year that it's active, there is constant rubbernecking at that point on the interstate. You're fucked until you get past it, and there's nothing you can do about it. It's so annoying.

Survival instinct my ass, Jim-Bob just wants to see a crushed car or something with pretty lights.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: zoiks
Why isn't it illegal anyway? Why don't they hand out tickets for rubbernecking? After all if you were to tally up the time for all the other drivers behind you, wouldn't that mean a high decrease in productivity.

Who are you going to ticket? How would you possibly ticket anyone for rubbernecking?

Most of the people caught in rubbernecking aren't responsible for it, and it will be impossible to ticket everyone who started it anyway. What are you going to do?

 

[Caecus Veritas]

Originally posted by: BrownTown
So do ya'll think that accidents re the only place you can rubberneck? I was driving yesterday and went by one of those "high school girls in bikini car washes" and that totally almost caused me to get in a wreck .

now THAT is the only legit reason to rubberneck!

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: zoiks
Why isn't it illegal anyway? Why don't they hand out tickets for rubbernecking? After all if you were to tally up the time for all the other drivers behind you, wouldn't that mean a high decrease in productivity.

Who are you going to ticket? How would you possibly ticket anyone for rubbernecking?

Most of the people caught in rubbernecking aren't responsible for it, and it will be impossible to ticket everyone who started it anyway. What are you going to do?

How hard is it for you to catch a rubbernecker? You're saying that a police officer at the scene of the accident or whatever can't notice some asshole slowing everybody the fuck down?
Try passing out tickets and people will change their habits. Right now there is free reign for rubberneckers to slow down and willingly cause inconvenience for everyone else behind them without any problems or penalties.