LOW RISK DRIVING

Low - Risk Driving a skill for LIFE

- - - - - - - - - - Road Safety by Dieter Fischer - - - - - - - - - -

ISBN No. 0 09577 426 06

Your SAFETY is Driving

E.34 ROAD RAGE - Don't become a victim

People driving motor cars may be in all kinds of mood. When a person, who is generally short-tempered, or is angry at the time, meets with a mishap in traffic, emotion can get out of control, resulting in road rage.

Consider the following incidents, taken from the daily newspaper.

Photo: livescience.com
The death of a pet dog is reported in the US. As an act of revenge for a minor traffic incident, an angry motorist snatched the animal from the owner and threw it across the road into oncoming traffic. The dog dies in front of it’s distressed master.

A 57-year old man in Melbourne was bitten in the arm and punched in the face by a young, male driver after they’d both stopped at a traffic light.

In Sydney the father of a teenage girl was attacked as he was giving her driving practice.

Road rage is often the result of irritation and anger that was waiting to explode. An innocent motorist forgetting to indicate or braking unexpectedly, may trigger a violent reaction, far beyond any reasoning. Just by looking at someone, one can get into trouble, if this person doesn’t like being looked at. The weeks leading up to Christmas are a peak time for driver tension and incidents on the road

Here's how to minimize your risk - and not become a road rage victim ...

Always drive with your doors locked...	...especially at night, alone. There had been cases of offenders simply jumping into vehicles at traffic lights to go along for the ride. Also shut windows, if approached in an uninviting manner.
Drive in an orderly manner...	...considering, how your behaviour will affect motorists around you. Check mirrors frequently, indicate early, brake intelligently and don’t change direction, unless safe. Nobody gets angry at a courteous driver.
Don’t aggravate any situation...	...if someone is provoking you. Get out of the way, if they insist on overtaking. Don’t try and teach a lesson by driving slowly or playing policeman. After all, the other driver may be in an urgent situation!
Drive away from trouble...	...if hassled. Leave the area; turn in the other direction or reverse away, when things look serious. Blast your horn wildly to irritate troublemakers. This draws attention which may bring help!
Try to identify offenders...	...and write down car number plates. Try to remember details of the offenders appearance, dress, descriptions of vehicles involved etc. Report the incident to the police as soon as possible.

Sadly, whatever is present in our society is reflected on the road. Angry, frustrated people, who can't control their tempers, but let it out on those around them, is a sad part of modern culture.

Be sure to obey above points and you should never become a victim or road rage.

Conduct yourself as you expect other people should!