Herd mentality. Also known as mob mentality or pack mentality, and to a lesser extent gang mentality.
A phrase that refers to how people can be influenced by peers to take on certain behaviours on a largely emotional, rather than rational, basis. It also causes individuals to make different decisions than they would have individually.
You may have seen the phrase being acted out in movies. Gangsters thinking that they’re above the law, backed only by their strength in numbers. And when the numbers start dwindling, they begin to make decisions on a rational basis again.
Well, that’s herd mentality alright.
But here’s the thing. Herd mentality isn’t just a phrase that’s written on texts or acted out on the big screen. It’s actually very commonplace in real life…
With the following instance being just one of many exemplifications of the phrase.
Vehicles Spotted Beating Red Light After One Of Them Did It; Netizens Say It’s ‘Herd Mentality’
On Thursday (10 September), Facebook page My Grandfather’s Road uploaded a clip onto the social media site, showcasing a trailer that allegedly beat the red light at a Jurong traffic junction.
Now, while this particular incident is common enough (yet not acceptable in any case) in isolation, it’s the next occurrence that sticks out like a sore thumb:
After the trailer went ahead, 18 other vehicles proceeded to follow suit in the same vein.
As a Wise Old Man once said: “You break the rules, I follow you.”
According to the video’s description, the incident occurred along Jurong Town Hall Road near the Teban AYE Flyover.
This means in total, around 19 vehicles allegedly disregarded the red light.
The last vehicle to do so, a red car situated in the leftmost lane, moved a whopping 16 seconds after the initial trailer moved off.
At this point, you can’t help but wonder.
Maybe it’s really their Grandfather’s road after all.
You can view the Facebook video here:
Post Edit: some chatter that the traffic light 🚦 could be faulty. Here’s the longer video, and judge yourself. 👌…
Posted by My Grandfather’s Road on Thursday, 10 September 2020
Traffic Light Was ‘Faulty’
Suffice to say;Â the video swiftly went viral.
And a few Netizens, it seems, were of the same opinion:
That the motorists are guilty of giving in to ‘herd mentality’.
One also hinted that it was a lost money-making opportunity for the traffic police.
However, some Netizens did point out that the traffic lights looked faulty, a notion that turns credible upon closer inspection.
Apparently, cars on the opposite side of the road could be seen moving at the same time as well.
But No…Â It’s Not The Case
Unfortunately, the drivers in question can’t be exempted from this one.
According to a recent update by the same Facebook page, the traffic light was not faulty at the time.
The traffic light was also normal in the next junction.
This notion was revealed in a longer form of the video, with the situation presented from Cam Car’s perspective.
Common Or?
I won’t want to sound like a lawyer, but now’s the best time to emulate what a lawyer would say to any driver:
“I put it to you that if the cars in front of you are moving, would you have taken a look at the traffic light or just follow them?”
Well. It’s never easy to answer a lawyer’s question.
Here’s the REAL reason why everyone is hanging plushies on their bags, simplified for you:
