Whip It Good

What is with the 8 ft. whip antennae that people have begun mounting on their cars lately?

It used to be that only emergency vehicles and 18 wheelers were utilizing these jobbies. Now "Mom's Taxi" is barreling down 95 with what looks like a fishing pole bolted to the roof.

Questions, as usual, abound:

1) What extra-terrestrial species are these people conversing with?
2) If a fool is living that far from you, is there really a frequent need for verbal communication?
3) How do you not get your ass kicked at the car wash?