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Road Rage
We are so pressed for event reporting that we glorify outrageous behavior. Yes, I said glorify!
Anyone who gets behind the wheel, acts like an immature child, in some cases commits violent acts, and then brushes it off with the phrase 'Road Rage,' as if he or she were suffering from some type of temporary medical condition over which they had no control, they should not be a licensed driver in Ontario. If I go into a bar, get drunk and start a fight, is that Bar Rage' What utter nonsense!
By putting a label on our seeming lack of ability to control our own tempers, we are made to feel less guilty. Well, we shouldn't! Road Rage not only puts other drivers on the road at risk, but, carried to its extreme, can result in injuries and deaths.
Each year around the world, thousands of people are injured and killed because of supposed Road Rage. It now appears that psychologists and lawyers are getting into the act. Recently, a woman who got angry and killed a motorist was allowed to plead temporary insanity, blaming Road Rage as the culprit. What next'
It seems that we as a society have taken the bait. Road Rage is now a psychological condition and the media and Internet are full of research studies, surveys, tips and countless articles to help us through this supposed trauma. Well, I don't have a PhD in psychology, but a temper tantrum by any name is a temper tantrum!
Control your tempers or face the consequences. Our jails are full of people who cannot control their violent behavior around others.
Look, it's easy to get angry while driving. Most of us do at some time or another. But if you examine the reasons for your anger, they're likely related to the type of day you had at the office or some personal problem ' and not the guy who cut you off.
The Canadian Safety Council revealed last year that 85% of Canadians admitted to aggressive driving in 2000 ' and 72% blamed it on stress and frustration. Part of the reason, they said, was 'multitasking.' In other words, we are turning our cars into our offices and living rooms. What a mistake!
Instead of just driving, we are also eating, drinking, using cell phones, shaving or putting on makeup, reading, writing, arguing with passengers or disciplining our children.
What results are more aggressive driving habits ' speeding, tailgating, driving through yellow lights, flashing high beams, making rude gestures, passing on the shoulder and so on. All these can lead to violent incidents we conveniently label as Road Rage.
I like one method suggested to diffuse the situation ' carry a big 'sorry' sign and flash it at a safe, appropriate time. An apology goes a long way to calming tempers. If that's not your style, here are a few tips:
Don't tailgate
Use your horn sparingly
Don't block the passing lane or right-hand turn lane
Avoid eye contact with aggressive drivers
Don't make obscene gestures
Finally, if you've had a hard day at the office, why not wait until the rush hour is over to go home ' and avoid gridlock. You may arrive later, but you'll arrive a lot more relaxed.
Oh, and I sincerely apologize for being so angry earlier in this article ' it must have been 'Writer's Rage.'
As always, drive safely.
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