Road rage is defined as aggressive behavior by a driver of a motor vehicle. It is frustration manifesting itself in angry gestures, words or, in extreme cases, violent action. Unfortunately, this behavior is not limited to a certain country, race or culture and it manifests itself all over the world.
More often than not, road rage incidents occur in traffic. Sometimes, incidents of road rage are caused by simple misunderstanding. Some driver may make a momentary error of judgment but the offended drivers thinks that they have been aggrieved and that the other person is driving aggressively. In cases like these, an offending driver should apologize for his error immediately in order to defuse tension levels and prevent the situation from escalating. Some of the worst cases of road rage have occurred when the opportunity for two drivers to defuse the situation does not present itself. Gesticulations and aggressive maneuvering result in a rapidly degenerating situation. Worked up into unreasonable anger, one or both drivers then get out of their vehicles and physically attack the other driver or vehicle.
Psychologists have theorized that drivers of a certain personality profile can lose their tempers more easily when behind the steering wheel of a vehicle. In fact, a major road safety foundation carried out research on road rage designed to look at the factors influencing drivers identified as safe or unsafe. Although the study concentrated on a specific gender, it is important to note that it has been found that gender differences do not apply in incidences of road rage. The study revealed that a major factor in triggering road rage was the mood of the driver at the time of the incident. Unsafe drivers were affected by mood to a much larger extent than the safe drivers. This suggests that for the unsafe driver, driving a car is as an expressive act which helps them vent their anger. Safe drivers on the other hand view driving as a practical activity, hence emotion does not come into play. Drivers in a bad mood appear to have easily influenced driving behavior and this effect is enhanced when the driver views the vehicle as an extension of himself. These drivers are then predisposed to react negatively to other drivers whom they perceive as dumb or stupid.
While the chances being the victim of a road rage incident are small, it is best to be aware of how to avoid such incidents. The following are steps you can take:
1. If another driver is being confrontational, do not react. Avoid eye contact, as this is perceived as being confrontational. Do not make make sudden moves like accelerating, swerving or braking. This increases the risk of an accident and can again be looked at as being confrontational. If the other driver continues with aggressive tactics, drive to the nearest police station or busy place for help.
2. When stuck in traffic, leave enough space to pull out from behind the car you are following. If the stress of traffic gets to you, do not start a fight and do not be tempted to carry any sort of weapon. Carrying a weapon may embolden you and it may provoke a potential assailant who could wrest the weapon away from you.
3. Since road rage incidents most often occur in areas and times of congestion, plan your commute to take advantage of more scenic, stress-free routes and at times when rush hour has not yet begun or has ended already.
