crimprofs links to a video that might be useful in teaching sociology of law or deviance. what would happen if four cars spread themselves across all four lanes of a major highway driving at exactly the speed limit? well, some college kids in atlanta undertook a little experiment on the dangers of strict obedience.

or maybe not. according to the museum of hoaxes write-up, this sort of thing was actually anticipated by georgia lawmakers:

code 40-6-40, section D: No two vehicles shall impede the normal flow of traffic by traveling side by side at the same time while in adjacent lanes, provided that this Code section shall not be construed to prevent vehicles traveling side by side in adjacent lanes because of congested traffic conditions.

so, they weren’t actually obeying the law. i’m all for social experimentation and merry prankstering, but … after watching the five minute video, i had the urge to box their impudent little ears. i guess that’s probably just my inner dad emerging. despite the dangers, i can’t help wondering about manipulating one more experimental condition: what do you think would have happened if atlanta’s black college students had pulled this stunt?