"You idiot: what did you do that for?" Is that one of your favorite phrases while driving in any large city? If it is, you are not alone, welcome to the world of living and driving in a large city.

Let's take a look at why your blood pressure just shot up to heart attack level in less than three seconds. Drivers today have so many distractions like the cell phone. The cell phone has become a way of life to most drivers whether they are professional truck drivers or four wheelers: states are now beginning to pass laws to protect the driving public, New York state for instances says you must have a hands free cell phone equipment: if you are caught without a hands free you will receive a ticket and fine. Yes, people are unhappy with that particular law but on the other hand it might just save a life. Have you ever watched some fool attempting to drive, talk on the cell phone, balance his check book and in the process turn onto a busy city street from an interstate. I have, I am out here 24/7 in a big rig. This actually happened in Nashville, Tennessee in rush hour traffic!

Chicago is a challenge no matter what time of day you have the misfortune to be there of coarse so is Los Angles and any other large city. The congestion and lousy air should be enough to frighten any normal person. I always thought it was funny when I watched the "Beverly Hillbillys" hunting for smog. The smog out in Los Angeles is not a joking matter, it is a severe health problem that the people out there should be very concerned about. There have been laws passed for truckers: five minute idling laws which help control the quality of air but California also needs to do something about all these four wheelers that are out there driving just to drive. What is wrong with car pooling or better yet walking or using public transportation. Talk about raising blood pressure pollution does that, actually pollution affects the cardiopullmonary system of the body with every breath you breath.

I have lived in cities: I have also lived in rural areas but I have to say that city living although in some aspects is cheaper to dwell in simply because everything is much closer. Rural living is quieter and much less stressful. City living you really have to worry about keeping your doors locked: not just your home but your vehicle. That is no way to live, in fear of someone breaking into your home, or having your vehicle vandalized. Is there anything we can do? Move to a rural area, maybe that is one way to solve the immediate problem but there is crime even in small towns. Perhaps the answer is to take responsibility for ourselves and our children. Teach our children to respect others no matter what their beliefs: perhaps once society begins to do these things the threats we are experiencing in our every day lives will become less of a threat, the stress of everyday life will becomes less stress and more pleasure. That is something each human being should strive for not the excuses we make for why our lives are messed up.

Learn more about this author, Suzanne Marsh.
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