You are driving down the road to the nearest grocery store to get some bread. You slow down as you get to a yellow traffic light and the person behind you slams on their brakes thinking they would have made the yellow no problem. Alas, you are now the victim of something very serious: ROAD RAGE, also known as intermittent explosive disorder.
Then again, at some point in your life you were undoubtedly that person braking or flipping out at another driver for something “stupid” they had done. According to dmv.org:
Aggressive drivers routinely:
- Tailgate
- Use their horn
- Flash their headlights
- Change lanes quickly and often
- Gesture to other drivers
- Talk on their cell phone
Shockingly, 1500 people a year are seriously injured or killed in senseless traffic disputes. It doesn’t help that most of us, myself included, are likely texting while driving or talking on their cell phone, causing all kinds of traffic violations. This adds to the already amassing multitude of cars which unfortunately leads to traffic buildups (although clearly there are other factors involved this is one that could be realistically avoided). In essence, with all the distractions in our daily life, WE directly create those aggressive drivers.
And so what? I know, I’ll just be passive and let all the other drivers be aggressive, that wont affect me… WELL! Aggressive drivers will undoubtedly cut you off if you are swerving while texting or not paying attention to the road or simply being a passive, safe driver, and this action of cutting someone off is one of the most aggravating experiences of driving. The Center for Addiction and Mental Health, or CAMH, has yielded some interesting results from accumulated online reporting participants. It seems that:
Cutting in and weaving, speeding, and hostile displays are among the top online complaints posted by drivers.
You mean that person I just cut off will go home to blog about it? They will go and write a Wondergressive article pertaining to it with hopes that a chain reaction occurs and eventually drivers become more aware and respectful of their fellow drivers? And I wonder why I Rage on the Road so much. Too many shattered hopes and dreams.
As recommended by dmv.org, if you can’t help your Road Rage then ease it by venting:
Talk to a friend or family member about the driving experience―telling the story can relieve your stress. Some driving clubs or online discussions offer members a chance to vent their frustration.
I admit it, I am a prime example of someone suffering from intermittent explosive disorder. I truly cannot wait to trade in my car for a shiny brand new blimp! Life would just be so much easier. No traffic, no a-holes to cut you off, no worries about cops and obeying the rules of the road, no speed limits or traffic lights. Only those damn birds to watch out for. That, and the bad weather/gusts of wind that you are likely to encounter. Let’s not forget about the other a-holes with their brand new blimps. ARGH! GET OUT OF MY WAY ALREADY!
I believe the best way to limit anger/traffic/congestion/violations is to put into act a proposal that one of my managers laid out for me. He suggests that anyone who causes traffic or gets in an accident and is solely at fault for the accident should have to get in front of everyone on TV and/or in a public setting and give a formal apology. Let’s see how many people risk going on the freeway while texting or using their cell phone THEN! Cheers!
Sources:
NBCnews: Road Rage gets medical diagnosis
DMV: Road Rage: How to Deal with It
AAA Foundation: Aggressive Driving
Science Direct: Texting While Driving
Science Direct: Dialling and Driving
Center for Addiction and Mental Health, or CAMH
CAMH: Cutting In and Weaving Irritates Drivers
Wondergressive: Save the Food Pyramid
Wondergressive 