It is easy to get anxious, frustrated, and angry when you are late and on your way to an important appointment. Add to this already tense situation other drivers. You got it, traffic. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a button that made all the traffic get out of your way and the lights turn green?
To my knowledge, the auto manufacturers have yet to install zapper buttons on even basic model cars. This series of events and conditions tends to lead to road rage. Road rage is defined by Merriam-Webster as: a motorist’s uncontrolled anger that is usually provoked by another motorist’s irritating act and is expressed in aggressive or violent behavior.
FACTS:
- Road rage incidents are criminal acts of assault
- 56% of incidents result in fatal crashes
- 90% of road rage drivers state their aggressive driving is a very serious threat to their own safety
Most drivers claim they are in a hurry and find traffic burdensome. Many state their violations are due to lack of courtesy of others. (really?!)
Road rage is generally an issue with misplaced anger. For instance, it isn’t my fault I left on time and you didn’t – so go be mad at yourself! It is interesting however, Dr. Drew Pinsky did an experiment with an angry driver who tested normal for blood pressure and heart rate while driving erratically. The driver yelled and made obscene gestures at other vehicles while zigzagging in traffic. When questioned the driver said his behavior actually relieved the pressure he was feeling vs if he had to sit quietly in traffic.
My concern is how I feel, and how others who sent emails felt, when innocently confronted by angry drivers. Think about it, you are minding your own business, driving the speed limit (or a little over), going from point A to point B. BAM, this driver comes up on your bumper, lights flashing, horn blaring, finger in the air, while yelling at you to move out of the way. Or they get in front of you and slam on the brakes just to show you a thing or two. These actions create needless risk on the road. One angry driver impacts numerous other drivers in their commute.
If you are this person… consider how you would feel if someone acted this way to your mother, grandmother, or daughter, because that is you. You have done this to someone you know and someone who is important to their family. 56% fatality rate is huge, can you afford for it to be you that causes that accident? We all share the road, emphasis on the word ‘share’.
Take a deep breath, leave earlier, or use alternative routes. Concentrate on being safe and courteous to others as you would have them be to you.
I posted a bonus article on my webpage “Bill of Rights for Drivers“, feel free to review it. Let me know if you have something for me to add that will benefit others. A big THANK YOU to those who contributed to this article! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need help managing your anger.