Road Rage

I was at the stop sign waiting to proceed. Just as I was attempting to go, a blur pulls right in front of me. Behind the wheel was a middle age woman who was yelling and screaming at me to stop or something to that effect. Hand gestures, explicit words etc. This lady was obviously agitated.

Not in the mood for a “debate” I tried to mollify her with a mea culpa gesture. An “I’m sorry” with a contrite look. Overlooking her obviously excessive speed on a residential street I attempted to drive away. Meeting at 11 A.M, I had no time for this.

I guess it wasn’t good enough for her. My attempt to defuse the situation seemed to only fuel her fire. “Spic Asshole”.. What? Finally she took where it did not need to go. With that I told her to keep going before you get embarrassed, and went on my way. I knew if it escalated any more, police would get involved and I would lose.

While driving away I had to laugh, not a humorous one but more of a can you believe it snicker. This lady, who in spite of speeding on a residential side street, and as far as I could see dressed for work, was in a fighting mood. Let’s get ready to rumble!

It made me wonder why we, and I mean Americans, preach civility, have ad campaigns to promote it, constantly criticize those we think do not practice it. The whole nine.

Then we get behind the wheel. Watch out. We suddenly become NASCAR drivers competing at the racetrack. Tailgating, cutting each other off, flipping the one finger gesture, etc. It runs across all lines of age, sex and ethnic background. Is there anything more nonsensical than seeing two or more adults duking it out in the middle of the street?   Over an alleged snub behind the wheel? Could you imagine if we had Double O Seven cars? With missiles aboard, there would be carnage in the streets.

I did a Google search to see if I could find some stats concerning “Road Rage” and this is what I found:

• * The Mizell Report, commissioned by AAA, uncovered 10,037 crashes caused by violent aggressive driving between January 1, 1990 and August 31, 1996. At least 218 men, women and children were killed as a result of these incidents and another 12,610 were injured. The problem is national in scope, not jut a phenomenon of congested urban areas.

• *Aggressive driving may be a factor in 50% of auto crashes, based on the Washington Beltway Study. Source: Analysis of the Capital Beltway Crash Problem, U.S. DOT, March 1996.

• *The problem is getting worse according to the AAA. There is a compound growth rate of 7%.

So, I see we do have an Anger Management issue while operating moving vehicles here in the Good Ole USA.

Now I don’t want you to think that I have never felt the rage while driving. Far from it. In the past I’ve allowed myself to engage in many arguments and a few fisticuffs over other peoples driving habits. Cause you know I’m perfect!

I carried ball bearings and pennies to throw at people who pissed me off. A true poster-boy for Road Rage. That is until after one “spirited debate” with someone. As I was walking back to my car a witness to the incident was shaking her head and said, “You two look stupid, not tough”.

Light bulb time.

Here I was defending my manhood, my ego or whatever, and the truth was I was nothing more than an idiot. I promised myself that after that I would never put myself in that position again.

There is a myriad of reasons for our driving miscues and I won’t get into them but for myself I try to do a few things to avoid them.

• Leave early enough so I can take my time and not get aggravated over things;

• Avoid music and talk radio that gets me hyped;

• And my favorite- the “Serenity Now!” technique (Seinfeld moment). Doesn’t always work but I try nonetheless.

As we all know little things can escalate into big things. You never know whom you are getting into an argument with. The other could be a psychotic killer armed to the teeth. It could grow into hospital stays, one-way cemetery visits, or even, time in the Big House. Agh! I don’t know about you but all three are extremely unpleasant options.

The moral of the story is slow down and show some civility to your fellow drivers.

Oh, the “spic” comment. Not sure where that came from. Maybe I tan well or something who knows. I’m neither Hispanic nor do I speak the language.