Risk

My wife and brother tells me that I take excessive risks while driving, especially on highways while overtaking slow moving (well, relative to me :-)) vehicles. I agree. Sometimes I am too close to the vehicle I am overtaking. Sometimes I start the overtake immediately after the car in front has given way to me. May be these are not the best ways to overtake and experienced drivers would tell me that I am taking too much risk. But that's the point. Isn't the risk taking appetite is different for different people ? Somebody might consider mountaineering or river rafting 'risky' but for someone else it's just an adventure or sport that he or she can not live without. Does that mean the person who is risking his life is stupid ? I don't think so as long as (s)he is aware of the risks associated with these acts and has taken steps to mitigate those risks.

My brother who drives at 120 kmph on a highway where speed limits are clearly marked as 80 kmph is also taking undue risk. But he considers that as acceptable. He would sometimes overtake from the left side and consider that as acceptable or is not aware of the blind spots and is OK with that. But he finds one particular aspect of my driving as risky and unacceptable. Isn't that hypocracy ? I mean, com'on, give me a break! Each one of us takes risks, one way or the other, in all aspects of life. I am not against giving a piece of advise (neither against taking it :-)) or reminding somebody of the risk he is taking, but let the person decide whether he wants to keep taking those chances or not. I believe every sensible person would adjust his behavior, habits and decisions to strike a right balance between the risks and the rewards, but as per his own risk taking appetite at that point of time.