In this essay we will discuss about:- 1. Meaning of Road Rage 2. Signs of Road Rage 3. Causes 4. Prevention.
Essay # 1. Meaning of Road Rage:
Road rage is a term that describes violent behaviour on road. It can also be described as an extremely aggressive way of driving that is likely to cause accidents or incidence on road.
Some of the definitions of road rage are:
Road rage is defined as a violent, uncontrolled anger or angry behaviour by, a driver, as in reaction to stressful driving conditions.
OR
Road rage is an aggressive behaviour by a motorist in response to the actions of another road user.
OR
Road rage is an uncontrollable aggressive behaviour by the driver of a road vehicle, especially when caused by stress or frustration.
OR
Road rage is a term used to refer to violent incidents resulting from stress caused by accidents or incidents on roadways.
OR
Road rage is commonly defined as a societal condition where motorists lose their temper in reaction to a traffic disturbance.
Essay # 2. Signs of Road Rage:
Road rage includes various driver acts and types of behaviour. Road rage can happen to anybody at any time and can vary from an aggressive gesture or word to a full or physical attack, or in some cases, even murder. Road rage has been established as a contributing factor in many traffic accidents.
Some of the symptoms of road rage are:
a. Tailgating (follow at a dangerously close distance) to pressure a driver to go faster or get out of the way.
b. Flashing lights in order to signal persons to move to another lane.
c. Making rude gestures.
d. Changing lanes without signalling.
e. Blasting the horn.
f. Hitting another person vehicle.
g. Throwing objects outside the vehicle.
h. Frequently changing lanes by weaving back and forth.
i. Racing to beat a yellow light that’s about to turn red.
j. Traveling in the passing or left lane at a slower speed, making it impossible for others to pass.
k. Driving with the high beams on behind another vehicle or toward oncoming traffic.
l. Slowing down after passing someone.
m. Not making a right turn in the right-hand turn lane.
Essay # 3. Causes of Road Rage:
Due to increase in vehicles the roads gets congested and overcrowded which leads to rise in road rage incidents. There are various penalties applied for road rage. However in reality road ragers receive not those strong penalties because in most cases road rage acts cannot be caught. If the police stop a road rager, he is most likely to receive a fine for careless driving.
1. Family Relations.
2. Place of Work.
3. Lack of Sleep.
4. Punctuality.
5. Climate.
6. Stress and Frustration.
1. Family Relations:
Family relations are one of the causes of road rage. If a stress or tension is going on in the family, a person will not be able to concentrate on driving. It’s a kind of emotional stress that can push someone over the edge so that he/she becomes an irate driver.
2. Place of Work:
Place of work leads to road rage. If the working conditions or surroundings, in which a person spends whole of the day, are not favourable, this can apply directly to road rage.
3. Lack of Sleep:
Lack of sleep also leads to road rage.
4. Punctuality:
Many aggressive drivers and people who drive in a threatening manner are continually running late and feel rushed to get to their location. They see other people on the road as obstacles to them.
5. Climate:
Excessive heat or extreme cold can also lead to someone driving aggressively. Often people get frustrated when they are uncomfortable for a significant amount of time and extreme temperature can easily make them uncomfortable.
6. Stress and Frustration:
There are many other issues that also contribute to whether a driver is prone to road rage, but the main cause behind it is stress and frustration. The stress can manifest itself over time and build up to the point where the driver explodes in a fit of rage or it can come on all of a sudden too.
Essay # 4. Prevention of Road Rage:
Road rage is a very dangerous situation that can result in physical attack and in the most extreme situations even serious bodily harm, possibly death. Road rage is dangerous and is responsible for thousands of injuries and deaths every year. Studies suggest that real root of aggressive driving lies within the person. Drivers can prevent road rage by looking at their driving behaviour and attempting to reduce their stress level before driving.
Some of the ways of preventing road rage are:
a. Never react to another driver’s actions, no matter how ridiculous their driving is.
b. Be courteous and polite, even when others choose not to be.
c. Never make eye contact with an irate driver.
d. A person should ask himself if the other driver committed their crime intentionally or it’s simply a mistake.
e. Never underestimate another motorist’s capacity for causing havoc.
f. Don’t use violent or abusive gestures.
g. Follow the laws of the road.
h. Stay within the speed limits.
i. Drive at a safe following distance.
j. Keep the music in your vehicle at a level that doesn’t annoy others.
k. Be tolerant of those who exhibit non-conforming traffic behaviours.
l. If anyone finds himself being followed by an angry driver, do not go home but head for a busy public place or the closest police station.
m. Keep doors locked and windows up if an aggressive driver approaches your vehicle.
n. Person should ensure that he is stress free whilst driving by giving him plenty of time to get to his destination and making sure that he knows where he is going.
o. If anyone makes a mistake, hold a hand up to apologize; this often relieves tension for everyone concerned.
p. Leave room between car and the vehicle in front so that person can drive away from a dangerous situation if someone approaches with criminal intent.
q. Many public and private organizations have launched education campaigns to teach drivers about their own behaviour and how to deal with aggressive behaviour of other drivers.