Why is it, in North America at least, at a time of unprecedented affluence, material advantage, so many people have disregard for others? It’s not just a case of the old “me” generation — many folks seem to put their often trivial priorities ahead of the common good.

It’s not just manners, which one would expect to have been cultivated at home, in schools, in public places. It is an insidious attitude that far too often transcends what society has taken for years as a given — the rights of others. Take the current problems on North American roads. Poorly maintained, often over-crowded, the very experience of highway travel makes many choose other, if available forms of transportation.

There are no quick solutions, no easy answers. It is simple-minded to bleat about poor drivers, as an example. The left-lane bandits, the cellphone users, even the tired mother in the minivan taking a screaming crowd of rapscallions to yet another necessary activity. True, their focus is not where it should be, and they should be made aware of it. Not, however, with an upthrust digit, blare of a horn, tailgating. Or any other form of aggression.

Still on the topic of driving habits, one issue that is of great concern, is the running of red lights, especially in the oh-so-busy rush hour periods. I was startled to discover that traffic accidents are the highest cause of fatalities among school-age children. Upon reflection, though, not. Routinely we notice harried drivers who place their personal priorities above public safety flout the law. This is especially critical near schools, many of which were built before the age of the automobile, thus not having parking for the minivans, turning zones. Add labour conflicts which have led to the fact that shortstaffing means no monitors present during peak drop-off hours, and the issue is grim.

The above reflects the North American obsession with the personal freedom that automobiles have brought. The study referred to above that detailed traffic accidents as the highest cause of childhood deaths also noted, that given a choice, most children would prefer to walk to school. Yet how do you do this, given the fast-paced life that most people lead?

The disregard factor carries further. It is much too easy to advance the argument to disregard for life — as the suicide bombers, of all ages in the troubled Levant are demonstrating. It has been well documented that road rage carries over to other forms of aggression. It has also been well documented that a caring gesture, smile, positive phrase can do a lot to alleviate tensions. Again, these lines are hardly intended to try to shape opinion, just as a reminder that we see far too little of positive emotions.

The expression “I love mankind, it’s people I hate” applies not only to the terror wrought in New York City, Jenin and Islamabad, it applies to the streets of Toronto. A stretch of the imagination? Not so when you apply the maxim of the straw that broke the camel’s back. Considering the everyday stress that most people are under, the concerns and worries of making it to a ripe old age, and being able to enjoy it should make at least a few reckless drivers on our streets think about whether saving a few seconds is worth the price of a human life. Especially, if that life is barely starting.

Finally, it has been a personal experience, that a moment’s consideration, even in the form of a courteous gesture, is worth its weight in gold. True, not easy to do at all times. But, to quote the rather little-known Scottish philosopher David Robson, courtesy is the lubricant of society. I would think that we all would like to see the complicated gears of human existence in this technology-driven world move with more kindness and less disregard for others.

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