This past week, starting July 12th, in the U.K. a West Sussex man became so enraged by the driving of a 79 year old man who ran up his backside, that he laid into him stabbing him multiple times to death.
What causes us to undergo such a drastic change when we get behind the steering wheel of our vehicle? In our other activities we can be perfectly normal individuals, but we turn into potential killers once we get into our cars, either through irresponsible driving habits, or when someone does something to irritate us.
Firstly, I think it is a natural reaction to be annoyed and impatient by the actions of others on the road. What makes us think we are the perfect ones? Personally, I have my good days and my bad days on the road. Sometimes things happen that make me feel like smashing the other driver's brains to a pulp, but the feeling passes quickly. More to the point, I think I would never actually act on such an impulse.
Probably the worst countries for road rage are the United States, Russia, and the U.K. In certain States of America, a country where everybody and his brother insists on the right to own a gun, shootings take place between drivers leading to bystanders becoming collateral damage. What makes so many drivers on British roads actually get out of their cars and act up?
In my opinion it's all a part of the British DNA. The English make things their business. If they see that their neighbour is doing something on their own property they will inquire whether the neighbour has the relevant permission. Long ago, while driving in the U.K. I was hugging the middle lane along a stretch of quiet road when another motorist came up behind me, and he stayed there flashing his lights, insisting that I move over.
Should you take any action that does not conform, someone will inevitably have a word with you. I suppose it's no surprise that this will include driving, and statistics as reported by The Dail Mail are not out of the ordinary. Apparently nine out of ten say they have been victims at least once. Presumably this encourages the practise, leading to the U.K. earning the title of Road Rage Capital of the World.
Twenty percent of those interviewed said they had experienced road rage more than ten times; and 70% of those said they were the instigators. Most of those said they felt just fine about unloading on their victims who they felt deserved it.
I tried to find out what country was least affected by road rage. I'm still not sure, but when I first came to Spain the thing I noticed was that drivers on Spain's roads are generally passive about some very shitty things that people do here. In the U.K. there is general respect for road courtesy, which seems incredible, but here in Spain we have never heard of the concept. I found myself wondering what would it take to cause an act of road rage. In all my years of driving here I can only think of one time when one driver went after another.
Drivers in this country are perfectly capable of doing horricly stupid things. Many have killed themselves through being so stupid, but the public remain amazingly calm in the face of bizarre behavior. Frankly, I have no idea what would drive a Spanaird to react badly, and I never want to know.
I can only tell you how I remain cool behind the wheel. First I use a silent mantra everytime I get in the car. "I will not let anyone spoil my day!" Secondly, I drive with constant anticipation as to what the other driver will do. It is amazing how well I read others actions and take defensive steps to avoid the crash.
My approach works very well for me, and driving is a reasonably pleasent experience, although I no longer actually like it. I am waiting for the day when I win the lottery. Then I will hire four female drivers and I will just sit back and enjoy life.
Copyright (c) 2015 Eugene Carmichael
TAKE CARE TO REST ADEQUATELY ON LONG JOURNEYS. ONCE YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES BEHIND THE WHEEL DON'T EXPECT TO EVER OPEN THEM AGAIN.
