Causes, Remedies, and Solutions to Road Rage - Essay Example

Insert Introduction Over the years, there have occurred billions of instances in which a driver would lash out at another oract in an aggressive fashion. A local newspaper records a recent event when commuters were stuck in a traffic jam for hours as several drivers and passengers grew increasingly restless and impatient with the unceasing snarl-up. Many drivers therefore started mischievously driving off lanes and cutting others off in bids to beat the kilometers long jam. This habit started with one driver whose apparent ‘wit’ ended in much success as he found himself ahead of the rest simply waiting for the green light. Other drivers then began to follow suit by stealing pedestrian lanes and cutting others off in the slow moving traffic. Those who were initially ahead of the traffic jam started to get agitated by the increasing number of vehicles that were now making way ahead of them. Many grew frustrated and aggrieved by this blatant lack of concern and disrespect for other road users. One of the drivers who had braved several instances of being cut off by impatient drivers, feeling exasperated, refused to give way to one of the drivers who was illegally cutting others off. Panicking that the patrolling traffic policeman who was approaching the area would spot him and arrest him, or impound his vehicle, the offender threatened to ram into the vehicle that declined to give way amidst a flurry of unpalatable insults. This turn of events prompted the aggrieved driver to step out of his vehicle to the offender’s vehicle who also got out of his as they descended into punches. Cases of road rage, such as this, have become increasingly common in our roads and a real nightmare for traffic officials. In the United States alone, approximately 1,500 incidences of road rage are reported annually with some of them culminating in severe injuries, loss of property or death. Reports indicate a steady rise in incidences of road rage with each passing year. For example, 1990 recorded 1,129 cases of road rage. This figure rose in the following years with 1995 posting a figure of 1,708, for instance. Moreover, these figures only represent official counts from the police and the media yet in truth there are even more cases that have never been reported or apprehended. Currently, up to 66% of the deaths on roads are a result of road rage. 37% of road rage incidences involve a gun. Over half of drivers said to have been targets of poor driving practices openly admit to have retaliated aggressively. Shockingly still, up to 2% of road users admit to have attempted to drive an aggressor off the road. 30% of road users do not feel safe on the roads and are more annoyed when they see reckless driving if they were in the vehicle with their families since they feel the reckless driver is putting their families at risk. Apart from the fact that most perpetrators of road rage are youthful men, trends also show that most of the perpetrators are those who had undergone some recent emotional or career problems such as the loss of a job, break up with a girlfriend or divorce. Roads rage basically is the aggressive driving behavior that stems from conflict between drivers (such as those aimed at other vehicles) (Hill, 78). Road rage continues to pose serious risks in the roads and is caused by frustration that builds up in drivers, which is preventable via awareness (Laurien, 1). In some parts of the United States, there are legal distinctions between ‘aggressive driving’ and ‘road rage’. Some states still, lack laws to curb road rage while in others incidences of road rage are legally treated in the same way as battery/ assault or vehicular homicide. These hesitations and vagueness stem from the tussle in definitions of road rage between law enforcers and psychologists. Many psychologists argue that such acts are symptomatic of underlying mental issues/ ill-health or such syndromes that yield poor emotional responses. The challenge thus arises when attempting to prosecute a ‘mad’ person or come up with clear cut regulation. To some sections of the society, perpetrators of road rage are not criminals but indeed are patients in need of immediate medical assistance (with these acts simply out of their control). Although unofficially, this group regards road rage offenders as persons suffering from a condition known as intermittent explosive disorder (IED). In IED, the patient experiences unrestrained behavior outbursts such as breaking things, throwing objects, causing physical harm, and so on. These reactions in such patients can often even come minus provocation or can be un-proportional to the initial provocation. Law enforcers, on the other hand, deem it a serious offense that puts the public in danger even though the accused may end up being charged for other crimes such as carelessness for a serious road rage event. Causes of Road Rage Road rage can be manifested in a myriad of ways such as aggressive driving (like in tailgating, and sudden acceleration or braking), cutting a vehicle off the lane, chasing other vehicles, yelling, insulting or gesturing rudely (such as the middle finger) at other drivers, excessive sounding of horns or flashing of lights, hitting other vehicles, physical assaults on other road users, deliberately causing collisions between vehicles, throwing objects at other vehicles, threatening or using weapons/ firearms, and so on. Road rage (stemming from accumulated frustrations) can therefore result in serious injuries, jail terms and death, and is a vice that has to be dealt with promptly to prevent such unpalatable outcomes (Lee and Brenda, 1). However, road rage, an impulsive action, cannot be dealt with by punitive legislation alone. To get to the root of the problem and so tackle it, an understanding of the causes of road rage, and the factors that often result in growing road frustrations is essential (Laurie and Jeffrey, 1). According to official estimates, about 97% of those who succumb to road rage in the United States are males, with a majority of these persons averaging age 33 (Hogg, 45). Research indicates that the leading causes of road rage are tailgating and sudden breaking. Most people are cautious that tailgating puts them at risks of accidents especially when they need to break suddenly to avoid an accident yet another vehicle is persistently driving precariously close behind them. On the other hand, when the vehicle in front applies sudden brakes in an emergency situation, the driver of the pursuing vehicle also often enters a rage arguing that the driver ahead pulled sudden brakes on them without (timely, or any) warning (Hogg, 63). In the end, there are witnessed wars, insults and such other acts of road rage. Apart from tailgating and sudden brakes, there are a lot of other causes of road rage. Slow drivers can equally lead other road users into fits of anger and frustration. This is often made worse when a driver in a hurry sees the slow vehicle ahead additionally give way to a traffic offender who is illegally entering the lane (road), for instance or are deeply engaged in a phone conversation. In addition, users of the road can often experience road rage when the driver ahead hesitates to respond to the green light or react slowly thereby putting them at risk of waiting even longer when the red traffic lights come back on. However, drivers also often complain of fast (late) drivers behind them who get overly impatient with them on the roads. Getting cut off in the road, especially by unremorseful offenders, is another major cause of road rage in the streets that can lead to excessive horning, chasing and insults. Road rage can also stem from a second/ different/ repeated offense from an offender driver. A perceived offense from a fellow road user can also get out of hand when the offended observes that the offender is on the phone. This can prompt shouts and other manifestations of road rage from the offended driver who in the end may be seen as the offender (while they are rightly offended by the recklessness of the other driver that puts many lives at risk). Such reckless driving and unsafe lane changes, loud music, and construction detours/ delays are other commonly cited causes of road rage. Reports from traffic police overwhelmingly suggest that road users are often irked by other drivers who drive too slow on fast lanes and refuse to give way for others to overtake such as by increasing their speeds when a vehicle attempts to overtake them. Other causes of road rage include failing to, or using blinkers very late during change of lanes, the habit of speeding up when one spots the other driver trying to merge or swooping in for the parking space that another driver has claimed (Myers, 77). Remedies/ Solutions to Road Rage Road rage is fast metamorphosing into the number one source of insecurity in our roads and must therefore be dealt with, with utmost urgency henceforth. From the above discourse on the commonest causes of road rage, it is crystal clear that exercising self control by road users is the number one aid in the war against road rage since it stems from frustrations in the road. Further surveys indicate that most perpetrators are those who have often had bad days or were running late for an appointment. Anyone who grieved them in any way would therefore be on the end of their unadulterated wrath or they would take out their frustrations on them. The focus in combating road rage should thus be more on emotional awareness in a road user as such acts happen in the heat of the moment. There are several ways to manage the emotional impulse that results in road rage. Lack of enough sleep, for example, has been shown to elicit poor emotional control in people, and drivers in this case. An important remedy for road rage is therefore advising road users on the importance of getting enough sleep (McKay, 201). The hours of sleep of road users are directly related to road safety, and it is this point that must be brought home in the road user, failure to which half asleep and cranky drivers often find it hard controlling their emotions in the wake of aggression or poor road usage from a fellow driver. Road users ought to be aware of how their emotional states can trigger, escalate or halt incidences of road rage. Drivers are to be the proverbial ‘bigger person’ who are keen on overlooking offenses, not personalizing traffic events, letting the law take its course, or if need be, gently and with kindness point out to another user their mistake. When being tailgated, one can choose to avoid a road rage by simply changing lanes. In this light too, drivers can always slow down and let the other driver to pass when they appear in a hurry, avoid the habit or replying rude gestures, avoid eye contact with an angry driver and if necessary, exit out of the road/ lane when one senses trouble in another driver. Likewise, road users, in a bid to avoid fits of rage, should learn to apologize especially when on the wrong (Myers, 98). Another important control measure for road rage is simply the strict observance of traffic discipline. In most instances, errant/ risky traffic behavior is usually the root cause of consequent road rages often witnessed. The roads would be much safer if all persons adhered to traffic regulations. In the instance of poor road use, victims of such truancy should avoid altercations and report the matter to the relevant authorities. To help them calm down, these victims can listen to soothing music or take deep breaths so that angry and adrenaline stimulated responses are avoided. When feeling out of control, one can stop and unwind instead of engaging in needless road rage. Equally, driving when sober helps prevent road rage compared to the lack of self control and poor driving common in people under the influence of drugs (McKay, 345). Road rage can be avoided right from the house before embarking on the road. Better mental preparation and time management for the journey ahead is vital in arresting road rage. Most instances of road rage involve a person who is in a hurry to get from point A to point B (Swan and Steven, 24). It is thus important to leave early and understand that traffic mistakes are always bound to happen in the roads so that better control is exhibited in the face of such. A driver must make it their ambition not to allow another driver to determine their moods and so negatively impact the quality of their day. Conclusion As is explained in the discussions above, the folly of road rage is one that can plague any driver regardless of how faithful they themselves observe traffic laws. In this wavelength, therefore, urging the users of the roads to be more emotionally aware and controlled as well as patient with other drivers on the road can go a long way in fighting the menace of road rage that continues to threaten the very safety of pedestrians and drivers on the road (Sleet and Bruce, 1). Importantly still, drivers must master their anger and not take matters into their own hands thus aggravating an already bad situation. Such education should be offered in the media, driving schools, and other such relevant avenues. In as much as the number one way of arresting road rage incidences is by having more traffic officers on our roads, these efforts must equally begin with each and every driver on the road. Logically, every driver must be able to analyze their driving methods and habits with a view of determining whether such ways could leave them open to violent road rage incidences. After such honest soul searching, each driver must consequently endeavor to change these habits that leave them vulnerable to road rage. This personal approach, although more fruitful if observed, requires one to have perseverance (personal transformation can be difficult) and humility while out on the road. Evidence strongly suggests that a majority of the perpetrators of road rage are youthful males around age 33. This gathered data could be useful in combating the vice by more aggressively targeting this group with such initiatives that are drawn to increase emotional awareness and instill patience on road users. Many researchers also argue that this ‘epidemiology’ could further aid in understanding why this type of behavior is commonly reported in such stereotypes. Because of this evidence, many people have hence argued that road rage is predominantly a result of intolerance towards each other that is fueled by feelings of bravado, strength, masculinity, youth and ill preparedness (immaturity) portrayed by this group when leaving for the road. Sympathizers however assert that this statistic is so because most of the drivers on the roads are simply young men around that age, with most women and the elderly more commonly driven by others. Whichever the case (explanation), this group ought to be targeted more when combating the menace of road rage so that incidences such as the recent shooting of George Zimmerman by 38 year old Mathew Appelson (case on-going as at May 11th, 2015) are eradicated. This way the taxpayer reaps benefits from expensive surveys such as these that seek to understand the trend of theses vices and so that the roads are made safe for every user. There is equally the need for various states to come up with laws concerning road rage so that it is distinct from other crimes. Works Cited Hill, Joe. Road Rage. San Diego, CA: IDW, 2012; 78. Print. Hogg, Michael A. The Sage Handbook of Social Psychology. London: Sage, 2003; 45, 63. Print. Laurie J. Fundukian and Jeffrey Wilson."Road Rage." The Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Health. Ed. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2008. 977-979. GaleVirtual Reference Library. Web. 1 Apr. 2015. Sleet, David A. and Bruce H. Jones. "Reckless Driving." Encyclopedia of Public Health. Ed. Lester Breslow. Vol. 3. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 1015. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 Apr. 2015. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner "Road Rage." Crime and Punishment: Essential Primary Sources. Ed. Detroit: Gale, 2006. 407-411. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 Apr. 2015. Laurien, Philip. "Land Use." Encyclopedia of Public Health. Ed. Lester Breslow. Vol. 3. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 677-678. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 Apr. 2015. McKay, Gary E. Road Rage: Commuter Combat in America. Herculaneum, MO: Silvetip, 2000; 201, 345. Print. Myers, David G. Psychology. 7th ed. New York: Worth, 2004; 77, 98. Print. Roberts, L. D. "Social Issues as Media Constructions: The Case of road Rage" Crime, Media, Culture (2005): 301-21. Print. Swan, Bill, and Steven Murray. Road Rage. Toronto: J. Lorimer, 2006; 24. Print. Read More