Once again, road rage makes the news in southern California. You’ve probably heard about the recent rash of freeway shootings there in the past few weeks, as reported by outlets like CBS News. Although law enforcement officials point out that so far this year, there have been a few less shootings than at the same time last year.

Sorry, but that is not comforting news. As the article notes, southern California has about 40 freeway shootings every year! I lived in SoCal for almost 20 years and I can personally verify that aggressive driving and road rage is very, very common. When you add frustrations about freeway congestion, ever-expanding traffic on the roads, pollution, etc., it makes for a potentially explosive environment where you’re putting your life in danger every time you go on the freeways.

Of course, there are aggressive drivers and road rage everywhere, even in small college towns in western MA where I live. But all things considered, the situation there in SoCal seems to much more volatile than any place else. On top of all that, I’m not crazy about the overall culture in SoCal where many southern Californians fit the stereotypical image of being overly materialistic, image-conscious, selfish, and vain.

That’s why I tell people that although I miss being near my parents, the beaches, the warm weather, etc., I do not see myself going back to live in SoCal anytime soon.