The Age Of Road Rage

“A Scoda driver fired five times at the driver of an i10 as the latter refused to give way to him in Northwest Delhi.”

Welcome to the age of road rage, the age where there is time for zero tolerance. Road rage is not just a traffic violation but a criminal offence. It has been a dangerous mind altering drug in our country’s bloodstream but the police and the administration have failed to find an antidote to it.

I think it’s a good reminder that we are all human. When we are behind the wheel, it doesn’t matter who we are. On the chaotic roads it makes me sad to notice that people’s blood rushes faster than their wheels which often culminates in homicide. Even a slow driver or a delay in restarting the car during the green lights, fuel anger behind the wheel. Now, all sorts of fights, be it a war of words, a scuffle, a broil or a brawl, have become routine affairs on the capital’s roads. In a recent incident in Bawana, a minor scratch proved very costly to a truck driver who was beaten brutally by the accused. More blatant examples can be seen in the daily newspapers. People don’t understand that the one who flies in rage, always makes a bad landing.

The reason for this agitation on roads is that nobody sees it as a serious problem. On the faces of drivers stress and tension are usually written in ‘big letters’. This is quite alarming that people shed their family and work related stress on the steering wheels. The increasing traffic jams on roads due to encroachments, many other illegal processions and rallies, poor roads, exasperating noises etc make the matters worst.

Are we living in a technologically advanced jungle where power is flaunted? Is there any way to cure this ailment of grave concern? Yes! We do have many; running awareness campaigns about road rage, strict enforcement of traffic laws, self-help methods and co-operative programmes with police and NGO help, intelligent transportation, harsher penalties for offences etc can be very helpful to tackle this problem.

Always remember! Anger is a killing thing: it kills the man who angers, for each rage leaves him less than he had been before-it takes away something from him.  Hate and rage are nasty things. So, while on roads, keep yourselves cool. Always remain alert and say goodbye to road rage.