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May 12, 2009 5:23 pm US/Central
North Texans Shaming Aggressive Drivers Online
Arezow Doost
NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
How many times have you wanted to do something about that rude or aggressive driver? Now you can.
"I drive 35 to 40,000 miles a year around Texas," explained driver Steve Panza. North Texans like Panza are now venting their frustrations online. "With my job this [car] is my office," he explained. "Basically I work out of the house, but spent most of the time on the road."
Panza is among a growing group constantly on websites like
Platewire.com. The website lets you lay on the 'cyber-shame' by posting pictures of bad drivers and their license plates.
"I post when people are doing something stupid," said Panza. "Like going in front of me and braking, or if they are on their cell phone, or driving and texting."
The website was started by Mark Buckman in 2006. Buckman says his inspiration came from a 17-mile commute from Arlington, Virginia to the city of Fairfax.
After experiencing three separate incidents of people driving inattentively and almost causing him injury or death, Buckman says he was pushed to do something about 'road rage'.
"I felt the internet could use a place for people to communicate," explained Buckman. "To take the anonymity out of the roadway. To have a place to say, 'Hey, I witnessed this'."
Currently, there are more than 7,000 users from Texas on
Platewire.com. Buckman says he notices spikes anytime the weather is an issue. "The more the weather affects driving conditions, the more incidents occur, the more people go looking for options," said Buckman.
License plates are owned by the state. CBS 11 News checked with the Texas Department of Transportation and officials there said the website isn't breaking any laws by posting the plates on the web.
Buckman said his goal is clear. "I just want people to be smart when they are driving."
Panza says he just wants to feel safe on the road. "I am more scared driving here in Texas than walking through dangerous parts of anyplace else." And now the North Texas driver isn't afraid to report your driving to the entire World Wide Web.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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