Amarillo's Aggressive Driving Habits Need to Stop

Ok, so I need to go on a bit of a rant here for a bit. I've lived in Amarillo for five years now, and honestly I've grown to enjoy the city. I've grown accustomed to the small-city feel it has, for me at least, and how it's easy to navigate.

I can get anywhere I need to be in about 10-12 minutes, and that's a big change from where I lived in Austin. Sure, it was a smaller city I resided in, and they had some amenities, but not much. It was a 20-minute drive minimum just to get to Verizon or a bevy of different restaurants. There are just a couple of things I can't get over.

Why Is Everyone In A Hurry

I can't get over why so many here are in a rush. Seriously, everything is so tightly bunched together. You can go from one end of town to the other in 15 minutes, and that's with traffic and stoplights. Why do you feel the need to rip down Soncy at 70 miles per hour, weaving in and out of traffic?

I've seen more accidents here in five years than I did in eight years in Austin, and that's no joke. The root of those accidents? It's almost ALWAYS someone moving too fast or being overly aggressive on the roads.

Stop Lights Turn Red For A Reason

The other reason we have so many accidents? Those who love to run a red light. As if sitting there for 45 seconds is going to make that much of a difference in getting to where you were going. However, slamming into a car will definitely make you late.

I've had to learn how to sit at the light for three to five seconds and wait to make sure no one is coming. Yes, I'm the guy you're honking your horn at because I didn't jump off the line like I was auditioning for the next Fast & Furious movie, but I'm also not about to get plowed by someone who decided the red light meant nothing.

RANKED: America's Top 12 Best-Looking State Trooper Cruisers

Did you know that there is a brotherhood of state troopers called the American Association of State Troopers (AAST)? Their goal: PROTECT. PROVIDE. CONNECT. According to their website the AAST was formed in 1989 when a "small group of Florida state troopers had the vision to create an association that would unite state troopers across the country and assist them by providing valuable benefits and services."

Each year the AAST releases a calendar of the best looking state trooper cruisers. Ranking is determined by their Facebook followers. It's all for a great cause too. Proceeds benefit the AAST Foundation, which provides higher education scholarships for AAST troopers' children dependents. A noble cause by any measure.