Road Rage
by Adrienne Greeson
     Many of us know someone personally that would be classified as a person with “road rage.”  And in some cases this person might even be you.  But what does road rage really mean?  After reading this article, you may think twice before you tell someone they have road rage.
      “Someone with road rage swerves in and out of traffic, and constantly is tailgating you.  They are putting themselves and other drivers in danger.”  This is Senior Jocelyn Thompson’s definition of road rage.  Many people would agree that this is a reasonable definition.  Jocelyn is right about one thing: road rage does put the driver and other motorists in danger.  However, she has just told us the definition of an aggressive driver.  This is a common misconception made by many, a misconception that this article is going to clear up.
      According to Webster’s Dictionary, the actual definition of road rage is “an assault with a motor vehicle to other dangerous weapon by the operator or passengers of another motor vehicle or an assault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway.”  In other words, road rage means that someone deliberately tried to harm a driver as a result of something that happened while they were driving their car.  This disrespect of other people’s safety makes road rage a criminal offense.  Some common characteristics that can lead to road rage are people who are rude, angry, or aggressive on and off the road.  Also, people who cannot control their anger and tend to loose control easily.  Drivers like these can become extremely dangerous when made angry on the road. 
      Aggressive driving, on the other hand, is not as serious as road rage.  It usually involves a traffic offense or combination of offenses such as following too closely, speeding, unsafe lane changes, etc.  Aggressive driving should be monitored closely, as it may turn into road rage.  As in the case of rage road, aggressive driving is usually triggered by traffic congestion coupled with a tight schedule.  People are a lot busier, and time is at a premium.  The number of vehicle miles driven each year is up 35% in the past ten years, and there are more vehicles on the roads. Yet the number of miles of roadway has increased by only 1%.  However, this is still no excuse to put the lives of others in jeopardy.
      So what can you do to avoid becoming a road rage driver?  First of all do, not take frustration out on other drivers.  Many people make a big mistake of getting into the drivers seat when they are angry or upset.  This can led to them becoming easily angered on the road, and doing things that they would not normally do.  Secondly, do not get angry, stay calm.  There are other options then just getting aggressive.  There are numbers that can call to report aggressive drivers or unsafe highways incidents, and in serious cases call the local police department.  There is also a website called roadragers.com where a citation can be filled out to report an alleged offense.  Instead of flipping a finger, run those fingers over the keyboard.  Doing these things will make you feel a lot better, and are certainly a lot safer.  Remember: You cannot control the drivers around you.  You can only control the way you react to them.          

Why Study Abroad?
by David Siwicki
     The few years in high school and college present many opportunities of growth and maturity; furthermore, the decision to study abroad ties together both an amazing and memorable experience with a new awareness of oneself.  The number of places that can be visited to study is only limited by how much one can afford.  Here are four great reasons to consider studying abroad:
     One of the biggest advantages to studying abroad is, in fact, the many traveling opportunities. For many, this truly is a once in a lifetime experience. While abroad, whether it be Amsterdam or Melbourne, one can live in these places they have only heard of in text books. Junior, Andrea Tomlinson agrees “It is great to experience a new culture, meet new people and learn how they operate. You learn to see life through a different person’s perspective.” It is apparent how big of an impact choosing to study abroad will have.
     This unique experience contributes to new perspectives and understandings.  When one becomes completely immersed in a culture, they can start to learn about these new people’s actions, views and values. Each student gets to see these customs in action rather just read about them in a text book. Only after one sees things through the eyes of the native people can one start to fully appreciate and understand.
     Studying abroad provides the chance to meet new and unique people. A student can take the time to get to know people with a different background.  This new cultural immersion creates an environment where many new friendships can be made. These new friendships could last a lifetime.
     It also can provide a very informational and educational experience for students and teachers alike. Madame Perry, one of the two French teachers here at Ireton, strongly recommends a foreign exchange experience. She says “French education stresses critical thinking and forming your own opinion.”
     The decision to study abroad will enlighten a student’s mind to many new possibilities. It is a once in a lifetime experience to visit the many different parts of the world and learn about them first hand. Any teenager that is stuck should remember the large world around them that is open to present them with many new points of view.
     There are many student exchange programs available to those that want to experience the world around them. These excursions can focus on language development, travel and college courses. Many colleges around the world offer the opportunity to study abroad. There are also numerous amounts of student exchange programs that cater to the high school student. A few such programs are: IES, ISA, CIEE and Rotary Youth Exchange. These student exchange programs offer the amazing experience of studying abroad in a refreshing and exotic atmosphere.