Choose Civility, but can you drive

Yesterday, Ryan Ballengee, over at EHHC commented on a opinion by Heather Vaughn in the Columbia Flier on her take on the Choose Civility bumper magnets.

I agree with both Ryan and Heather that the magnets don't give drivers any special pass when it comes to poor driving.  Ryan then questions the point of purpose for the Choose Civility magnets.

People in the county are associating Choose Civility with driving smarter.

I must admit that I'm in the majority that thinks this way.  Maybe HoCo Public Library's intent was to not connect the two or maybe it was.  Unfortunately, by having a car magnet associated with the Choose Civility initiative, it is only a natural step to connect the two for many people. 

I've always thought that the magnets should be changed to "Choose Civility, but continue driving like an asshole".  Too bad this slogan is too long winded or my car would have one.

It's also unfortunate that many make the above association because civility shouldn't start on the roadways, civility should start with your neighbors.  How many of you socialize with your neighbors or even know your neighbors?  I know that my family doesn't talk to many of our neighbors and that many of our neighbors go out of their way to avoid socializing.  It's too bad that our society is this way, but in the end, if you can't be civil with your neighbors, then you definitely won't be civil on the roadways.