ALT-2 Road Rage
Even though people have been getting mad at each way before the automobile was invented, road rage has exploded into a twenty-first century malady. What is road rage? Why does it exist? Can road rage be controlled? These are important questions for every driver out on the roads today, and everyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle should be aware that road rage exists.
The key to this bizarre type of behavior is whether or not one is aware of road rage. The most mild-mannered person has been known to exhibit violent tendencies once they are behind the wheel. Old ladies "flipping the bird", young men pulling out weapons, speeding and tailgating to extremes, etc. These are all manifestations of people who are very, very angry, sometimes with lethal consequences.
What is it that drives people to want to kill their fellow driver? There is no exact answer to this, but learning how to control one"s emotions is important in order to quell the urge before it turns violent and deadly.Being aware of who is driving next to you is so important. This means being as proactive as possible. For instance, if you happen to like to drive in the left-hand lane of the freeway, be prepared that there are some people who will not follow the flow of traffic. Even though the speed limit is 70mph, they will insist on driving 60mph.
What does this do to their fellow driver who is behind them getting more and more upset as the miles inch by? It will instigate tailgating for one thing. Others will try to pass the slow-poke causing the delay, sometimes getting so upset that they are only focused on the moron who is endangering everyone else on the highway thereby involving other drivers in other lanes.This is a domino effect, and you can see how one driver not only will cause accidents, but will end up tying up the traffic into knots as a result. So it is important to recognize who is exhibiting bad driving behaviors and to avoid them at all costs.
Being aware of other drivers is just as important as being aware of yourself. If you know you have a tendency to fly off the handle, try moving to a different lane, one in which there is less traffic if possible, and relax by turning on some peaceful music. You will get to your destination in one piece at least, and if you're a few minutes late then so be it.It's better than being involved in a costly accident, and who knows what the results could be? They could end up tragic. Try thinking of this scenario the next time you are tempted to tailgate some moron who is upsetting you. It could save your life!
