“Broken Window Theory” and the moral component of driving
The “Broken Window” theory was developed by criminologists, James Q. Wilson and George Kelling. Simply stated, it is the theory that if windows in a building are broken and left unrepaired those walking by will conclude that no one cares and anything goes. More windows are broken. This fuels a disregard not only for that building but also for the adjacent properties and facing street. Disrespect breeds greater disrespect. Crime increases in this area.
In traffic safety, flaunting of the law, be it running a stop sign, speeding, failing to use turn signals are all analogous to breaking a window. It encourages other drivers to do the same. If left unchecked, the net result is more careless and reckless driving behaviors. It is not surprising that aggressive driving and road rage are major traffic concerns for police departments across the country. Maybe the moral impetus for obeying traffic law or any law, shouldn’t be so much about avoiding punishment or even causing a crash as helping to hold the line on social order.