Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Getting blown into traffic is never fun.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


               

Automated Road Rage

Automated Road Rage Facilitator
  (+7, -1)
(+7, -1)
  [vote for,
against]

I was in one of several cars stopped at a traffic light the other day when the first driver didn't notice that the light had changed to green. The second driver gave the first driver an entire 0.5 seconds before sounding the horn.

While I was impressed with the diligence with which Driver 2 must have been monitoring things, I figured it must be a strain on his attention span to have to watch the lights and every car ahead of him at the same time. Therefore, I've decided to automate the process.

My Automated Road Rage Sense'n'Sound Equipped (A.R.R.S.S.E.) vehicle system consists of a dash-mounted sensor which simultaneously monitors the colour of the traffic light and movement of the car(s) in front. If the light turns green and the traffic ahead doesn't start moving, the A.R.R.S.S.E. vehicle's horn is automatically sounded. The time delay can be set over a wide range of between 1 and 35 milliseconds - depending upon the operator's mood.

In order to warn other motorists not to dawdle, the kit will come with several bumper stickers (including one in mirrored writing for the front of the equipped car) advising them that this vehicle has an A.R.R.S.S.E. on board. External loudspeakers with pre-recorded 'motivational phrases' to hurry things along are an optional extra - perhaps done with Celebrity Voices.

C'mon halfbakers, surely my A.R.R.S.S.E. has 2 buns?

AusCan531, Aug 26 2011

[link]






       Not sure about an ARRSSE but perhaps a Delay Invoked Chivvying Klaxxon?
DrBob, Aug 26 2011
  

       Yes [DrBob]. That acronym (though I confess not that particularly mellifluous phrase) did spring to mind when I observed how quickly Driver 2 leant on his horn.
AusCan531, Aug 26 2011
  

       Lately I've noticed a tendency towards preemptive honking. They don't even wait for the light to change - is this the start of a new cold war?
normzone, Aug 26 2011
  

       Traffic Warning Amplification/Transmission System.
And it's not road-rage unless they get out of the car.
  

       I used to be such a nice driver before I moved to London - but the rules of the road here are what might emerge if some kind of bored Darwinnian scientist were leaning on the fast-forward button of his Survivotron. Either defend your lane with steely, venomous determination, or accept frequent defeat as other road users swerve aggressively in-front of you - Give no quarter, for none will be given you, be they cyclist, mopedist, car, van, lorry or bus - they will all conspire to box, restrict, bully or otherwise persue you into a corner, in order to get one in front.
zen_tom, Aug 26 2011
  

       //it's not road-rage unless they get out of the car.//   

       I describe my invention as a road rage facilitator. Believe me, once these babies hit the market, road rage will ensue.
AusCan531, Aug 27 2011
  

       // defend your lane with steely, venomous determination, or accept frequent defeat //   

       Contrary to the Urban Legend that George Lucas based the "trench" scene at the end of ANH on "The Dam Busters", it is in fact a Freudian reference to his experience of driving a Mini with dodgy headlights round the North Circular, through the Hangar Lane Gyratory and on to the B452, at 1730 on the last Friday before Christmas, in a sleet-storm.   

       He also (despite the therapy and medication) refers to it each night, about 0300, just as the mumbling starts to change into sobs and then terror-stricken screaming.   

       // they will all conspire //   

       In recent years, even mobility-scooter riders and those in electric wheelchairs have joined in the ... errr ... "fun" ?   

       // between 1 and 35 milliseconds // ... 5 millisecond and above presumably representing "sleep" mode.
8th of 7, Aug 27 2011
  

       //presumably representing "sleep" mode//   

       I was going to label it "The 'Passive' Aggressive" mode.
AusCan531, Aug 28 2011
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle