Road rage

What is it about us, or at least some of us that when we get inside our cars all common courtesy seems to fly out of the window?

When we’re walking down the street and somebody wants to come in front of us we would normally stop and say ‘after you’.  We might even proffer a friendly sweeping hand gesture to emphasise how courteous we were being. 

But when we are in our cars, having someone cut in in front of us we can take as a personal insult.  It is as if the opposing driver (we see them as opposition) is threatening our kids or trying to set fire to our house.  We scream obscenities and wave our fists and inch forward to try and regain our place and our social standing.

When we are in the supermarket and someone is going slowly down the aisles in front of us, weaving and winding their way so that we can’t get past, we might tut and shake our heads but we will stop and wait until there is a more convenient time to make our way.

But when we are in the car and the person in front shows the slightest hesitation we blast the horn, slam our fist on the steering wheel and shout such things as ‘why don’t you learn to drive?’  We push forward to encroach in their personal space and put them under pressure to sort themselves out.

What makes us like this?  Why do we do it?

If you are one of these drivers and I guess we all are from time to time please spare a thought for the other drivers.

Perhaps they are from out of town and don’t really know where they are going, lost in an unfamiliar landscape and have got in the wrong lane.  Perhaps they are having problems at home or have had some bad news and their minds have wandered momentarily to a sick child or an ageing parent.  Perhaps they are not feeling well and have found it difficult that morning to cope with the pressure of the daily commute.

If that’s you, would you like to be shouted at and railed against?  Does the blasting of a horn and a puce face shouting obscenities at you improve your situation?

But perhaps the driver who is trying to cut in is just a hole, an arrogant self-centred person who thinks that their journey is more important than anyone else’s.  If they are is it really worth boiling your blood over, getting excited and aerated? Do you really feel better after your burst of outrage?

Probably not.  Instead let them in, give them a little bit more time, take the pressure off them and yourself.   Be courteous and relax in the knowledge that you are a better person