road rage

I've heard of the Road Rage Phenomenon way before I started driving. Back then, I dismissed this as an exaggeration, because I couldn't fathom how normally sane people could turn into rage monsters once seated in the driver's seat of a vehicle.

I still didn't believe in it when I first started driving. Maybe it was because at first, I wasn't confident of my driving skills. I was too busy worrying about changing gears without stalling, breaking too early (or too late), swerving and making right turns without the rear wheel getting onto the sidewalk. I didn't mind other cars cutting in front of me, or being overtaken. All I was concerned about was to drive the car smoothly.

Eventually, I got the hang of driving. I can easily shift gears smoothly, with perfect timing. Sidewalks and right turns are no longer as worrisome as when I first started. I was the one overtaking now...and I finally believed in the existence of road rage.

Imagine this scenario: you're at an intersection, and you're waiting patiently for the green light. You stopped your car right before the pedestrian lane, to allow the pedestrians to cross while the light is red. Then, from behind, a motorcycle or a tricycle zooms in front of you, stopping on the pedestrian lane. As is customary to these drivers, while waiting, they switch off their engines. Then after a while the light finally turns green. You're more than ready to go, but your way is blocked by a tricycle or a motorcycle failing to start. You can honk your heart out, but unless the engine kicks, there's no way you could move forward. This is when road rage engulfs me, because I was first on line, I waited patiently for my turn and I stopped at the right place, just before the pedestrian lane. But in doing so, I left a space for motorcycles and tricycles to cut in, which is exactly what usually happens. It is so damn irritating.

Public utility vehicles swerving lanes and loading/unloading passengers everywhere also ignite the rage. Pedestrians jaywalking and holding up a hand to you (making a stop sign) make me want to run them over. Motorcycles trying to overtake you (even when you're way past the speed limit), blind-siding you, then once in front slowing down and forcing you to slow down as well. Those unskilled bikers who hit your car as they try to overtake you, or who lose their balance and go careening towards you, you who are just minding your own business and not breaking any rule but is nevertheless dragged into this melee because this inept driver had an accident. Buses and trucks bullying you because your automobile's size is just a fraction of theirs. Non-roadworthy vehicles crashing into you because their breaks failed. Non-insured pennyless drivers who couldn't eke out even just a fraction of repair costs of the damage that was due to their recklessness. Now who wouldn't go berserk in these situations?

Usually, I am able to keep my cool, just cursing silently (or loudly if I'm alone). I've heard of gun-weilding drivers who shoot the bane of their rage, and I'm determined not to be a victim of these psychos (nor be one of them!). This may sound sickeningly idealistic, but I'm hoping that someday, the numbers of the irresponsible drivers will dwindle down. Until then, some anger-management and lots of patience will have to keep the monster at bay.