Raging On

By Catherine Clarke

It’s crazy: the most normal, rational people sometimes go nuts behind the wheel. One minute, you’re driving along (admittedly feeling a little stressed) and the next thing, a forked tail and horns appear out of nowhere and everything gets a bit crazy. It’s called road rage – and, thanks to factors such as congested roads, incompetent drivers and a go- to-hell attitude, this phenomenon is sweeping the country’s roads, sometimes with fatal results.

Susan Knight, a 23-year-old Cape Town computer programmer, was a lucky survivor. ‘I don’t know what provoked it all,’ she says. ‘I stopped at a traffic light in Claremont and this guy behind me jumped out of his car, opened my door and hauled me out of my car. He was screaming and hitting me; I thought I was going to die!’

She survived this frightening experience, but the questions remain: what causes a motorist to go insane, how can you avoid becoming a victim, and what can you do to stop yourself from turning into a motoring monster? The first rule is to always stay calm behind the wheel. Which is easier said than done since we all have to contend with traffic jams and inconsiderate or selfish motorists, and these two factors that can drive the most composed of us over the edge.

One way to keep your cool is by giving yourself enough time to reach your destination – and then not stressing out totally if you do run late. Schedule meetings outside of peak-traffic periods to help keep a lid on your stress levels, or sign up for an advanced driving- skills course – not only could it save your life but it’ll give you more confidence which should also minimise your stress.

Concentrate on your driving. If you’re distracted by putting on makeup, eating, sending SMSes or updating your Facebook profile, you’ll probably drive like a moron and annoy other road-users. By sticking to the rules of the road you stand a better chance of surviving the journey and reducing your chances of becoming a victim of road rage. If you race through a built-up suburb or accelerate through orange-turning-red lights, you’re asking for trouble.

Be considerate towards other road users and, if you come across a dunce driver, turn a blind eye – even if it kills you. Hooting and gesticulating like a person possessed won’t achieve anything except anger and a potentially combustible situation. And, if you’ve made a mistake, own up to it by smiling and waving an apology. Instead of the middle finger, you might just get a smile back.