Driving in Utah - A More Calm Response

Why does the experience of driving in Utah feel more different than elsewhere?  Why does my blood pressure and temper both seem to equally rise when I get behind the wheel on Utah streets?  Perhaps it is because while I am driving I am surrounded by only Utah drivers, and thus a person driving at that moment in Florida cannot offend me.

By some, Utah drivers are described to be among the dumbest and worst in the nation.  I wonder why this stereotype has been given.  Is it based on the principles of road rage alone, and given the values of those living in Utah, are they more easily offended?  I would also wonder if Utah drivers are statistically worse and if we just have this perceived notion that we are less adept than other states.

For example, I'm driving down State Street at 45-50 MPH and someone shortly ahead of me decides it would be a good idea to pull out in front of me and begin going 30 MPH.  This is easily something that could and does happen elsewhere in America.  Having driven significantly in other states, it just feels far too common here in Utah.

As per the Brummett text, I have learned that aspects pertaining to driving such as street signs reflect iconic meaning.  For example, numbers on specifically shaped and colored signs can indicate which road or highway we are driving on.  They can also indicate many other things such as mile markers or allowed speed limits.  Similarly, why does green mean "GO"?  According to Brummett, this is an example of a symbolic meaning.  In  chapter one, he states "Signs can get you to think about something else purely because of agreement or convention" (10).  At some point long ago, decisions were made that Green=Go and Red=Stop.  From that point on, we have agreed to abide by these signs.

If Utahans are, in fact, worse drivers than the rest of the nation, why is this so?  Are Utahans statistically worse, or does that even matter?  Even if they are statistically equal to other states, why are these perceptions being drawn even by those who come here from out of state and make these same observations?  Either way, may we all be a little more cautious and safe when we brave ourselves behind the wheel on the high-strung roads of Utah.