Traffic was stopped. The line of standing cars stretched out in front of me and vanished around a curve as I slowed my car to halt, taking my place in the queue. Other vehicles stacked up behind me.

About a half-dozen cars ahead, I saw a 30-something male exit his car, angrily slam his door shut and march briskly toward the car behind him. The female driver of that car nervously stepped out and stood behind her open door.

I watched as the man came within a few paces of the woman and apparently shouted, gesturing vigorously with his arms, pointing at the stopped traffic ahead of him. The woman's posture seemed apologetic as she shrugged. The man then turned away and walked quickly back to his car. He slammed his door shut again as the woman simultaneously re-entered her car, and traffic began to move.

I tried to imagine what she might have done to warrant his wrath. Neither of them appeared concerned about any damage to their vehicles, so I doubt there was any kind of collision that prompted his behavior before my arrival on the scene. My guess is that she may have been mouthing words at him from the protection of her own vehicle, maybe making disapproving facial expressions, or perhaps gesturing in anger or frustration at the anonymous driver ahead of her.

Whatever the case, I imagine she will think twice next time before doing whatever it was she was doing. After all, as unexpectedly confrontational as his behavior probably was, she should probably feel fortunate that he wasn't a crowbar-wielding lunatic hellbent on smashing her windshield (or worse).

It made me think that there should be signs erected along the roads and highways that warn and remind drivers: "Avoid Making Rude and Angry Gestures And/Or Expressions at Other Motorists." These signs would join other warnings and reminders, such as the "Beware of Aggressive Drivers" sign I see daily on the Parkway West.

Near that sign, there is also one that reads: "Slow Down: Save a Life." I can't help but wonder what effect these signs, posted by PennDOT around the state, actually have on drivers who read it. Do the speeders see it and think to themselves, "Ya know, I really should slow down because, traveling at this speed, I could kill somebody"? Do the slow motorists see that sign and feel a smug self-righteous satisfaction and think, "I'm so righteous and satisfied with myself because I, as a conscientious driver, saved a life today."

But why should the slowpokes get all the smug self-righteous satisfaction? As a speeder, where is my opportunity for smug self-righteous satisfaction? Why should only the slow drivers be the life-saving citizens? And why should only slower driving be credited for saving lives?

There are many things that I do or do not do that indubitably save just as many lives, if not more, but for which there are no signs. For example, more often than not, I drive with my eyes open. Certainly I am saving lives by doing this. Where is the sign that says: "Drive With Eyes Open: Save a Life"?

Not only is my open-eyed driving a life-saving behavior, but it could be argued that I am saving lives, my own included, by not veering headlong into oncoming traffic. A sign could read: "Avoid Driving Headlong Into Oncoming Traffic: Save a Life."

Surely, such a sign would serve two useful purposes: 1) a stern admonishment against such recklessness, and 2) an opportunity for smug self-righteous satisfaction for those of us who have a healthy respect for the line of yellow paint that, with fairness and balance, divides the road for safe use by those going this way as well as that way.

Upon further reflection, it has occurred to me that my need for smug self-righteous satisfaction could also be fed by a sign that recognizes the dozens of lives I have saved by refraining from driving my vehicle onto the sidewalks where people are walking. The sign could say, "Do Not Drive on Sidewalk: Save a Life."

And finally, at the risk of touching a political lightning rod, there is yet another sign that I'd like to see. Since I sometimes get sleepy while I'm driving, I, like many others, have found that a way to regain alertness is to hand-jive, which is defined by howtojive.com as:

"Set sequences of hand and arm movements performed mostly while sitting down [that emerged] in theatres in the 1950s. In particular it was done to Johnny Otis' number, 'Willie and the Hand Jive.' "

I realize that the effectiveness of this behavior while driving is in dispute and that there is a growing controversy over whether or not it is more dangerous than driving while drowsy. But I would like to take this opportunity to cast my lot with all the responsible hand-jiving motorists who, as I do, view this as a life-saving tactic, when used responsibly, of course.

There should be a sign to encourage responsible hand-jiving motorists: "Hand-Jive Responsibly: Save a Life."