Road rage – is uncontrolled
anger that results in violence or threatened violence on the
road. It leads to damage of vehicle or/and injury which can
even be fatal.
A. Causes of Road
Rage:-
Sudden application of brakes
Fast overtaking from left in violation of speed
limits
Loud music
Overuse of horn
Following vehicle too closely
Changing lanes without proper signalling
Zig zag driving / frequent lane changing
Rude or indecent gestures.
Delayed start upon light turning green
Arrogant or challenging driving
Poor or lazy driving
Overtaking surreptitiously when light turns green
Stopping in wrong lane and trying to change lane
when light turns green.
When any driver
makes any of the above mistakes and seems unconcerned, the
other person thinks that the erring driver needs to be taught
a lesson for his carelessness and discourtesy. And thus the
argument starts.
ARGUMENT leads to QUARREL→ FIGHT → INJURY / DAMAGE
OF VEHICLE
To avoid
road rage please show the placard ‘ I APOLOGISE’
Most of the people will drop argument, even
if there is small damage to their vehicle.
B. While driving,
Remember:-
All drivers do make mistakes
including you.
It is impossible to be a perfect
driver all the time
There are unskilled and learning
drivers on the road who may be less confident and
aware, as you are.
When you broke traffic rules,
people have forgiven you. Feel grateful to them
and now conduct yourself in such manner...
The driver may be under stress
because of personal or official or business reasons
or getting late in interview or catching train or
plane etc. Try to have compassion on him / her.
If the driver is tense he will
be angry over trifle driving mistakes made by other
drivers
When people get angry they lose
their sense of judgment and reason and let
their instincts take control.
If you are aggressive you trigger
in others a natural instinct to fight back.
It is not worth risking
your life and the lives of others just
to teach some other driver a lesson.
Traffic is a cooperative venture
and not competitive sport. Your actions
may get repaid many more times of your actions,
on the spot. If your attitude is not “Me
First”, drivers will go out of their
way to help you.
C.
When you face Road Rage:-
Avoid eye contact with the angry driver
Do not make any gestures to irritate opposite
party.
Try to leave the spot immediately.
If the driver chases then drive to a place
where lots of people are around e.g. Bus stop,
market place, hospital, police station etc
Extend apologies consistently
Do not hurt the ego of the other person.
Avoid altercation and keep quiet
Remain in car and keep it closed
Show willingness to compromise and pay damages
Do not flaunt your contacts and connection
of power
Do not identify yourself or give address
and contact numbers
You can also report vehicle no, make, colour
and model, location and description of the driver
and if possible direction of his travel to the
police afterwards.
GURU
MANTRA for making your trip a pleasure and
not a nightmare:-
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Avoid
A
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Keep in mind B
ο
Show
placard even if some other driver makes a
mistake
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Follow
C if still there are chances of road rage
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Don’t
try to beat the clock on your trip. Allow
around 10 minutes per hour as you may actually
take more time than expected because of road
digging, metro work, office rush, some procession,
traffic diversions, VIP movement, everyday
increasing number of vehicles, traffic barricades,
road accident, vehicle breakdown etc
Please
note that few hundred new vehicles are coming on Delhi
roads everyday, therefore you are likely to get more
congestion in future and if above points are kept in
mind, you are less likely to be experiencing a road
rage.
