Road rage claimed a restaurant manager’s life in Delhi two days ago. The city has also witnessed shocking incidents of violence on roads in the last few years. It is important for people to control their anger, say experts.
On Tuesday, restaurant manager Rajeev Jolly (36) was allegedly run over by Jet Airways pilot Vikas Aggarwal, following a minor collision between their cars near the posh Khan market area in central Delhi. Rajeev was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Vikas and Rajeev entered into an argument after their cars grazed past each other. Rajeev slapped Vikas, who was sitting in his car, and tried to grab him. As Vikas tried to escape, Rajeev fell down and was run over.
In 2009, Satish Marutirao Gaikwad and two friends
stopped techie Ashish Naresh Dixit’s car on Magarpatta Road to protest against his driving. The 35-year-old software professional
pulled out his licensed pistol and shot the real estate agent in the thigh. The police said Dixit fired three rounds of which one hit
Gaikwad. Dixit tried to flee leaving his car behind,
but was chased by two policemen on a motorcycle.
In 2008, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) bus driver Sunil Tambele of Ambegaon, conductor Madhukar Nande of Ghorpadi Peth and other PMPML employees allegedly beat up a family, including a six-month pregnant woman on Pune-Satara Road.
The family was heading to Shivapur in their tempo. The BRTS bus forced the tempo dangerously close to the Katraj zoo wall. After the tempo brushed against the wall, its driver Deepak Salunke (24) abused the bus driver. He left the bus behind and was near the Katraj junction when the bus hurtled towards the tempo at high speed and tried to ram it. The bus overtook the tempo at Katraj bus depot and forced it to halt. Three men, including the bus driver, alighted from the bus and began beating up the tempo occupants.
Anger is temporary madness, leading to aggressive behaviour
Every time you get angry and look within, you will know that it is because you wanted something your way, but it did not turn out like that. Thus, with that belief, you try to impose your thoughts on others. The world may not work the way you feel it should and this triggers the anger in you. So, if somebody is not following road rules when you think s/he should, you could get into a road rage situation.
My practical tip is to replace this belief of ‘should’ with ‘wish; this will put you in a better position. Thus, try ‘wishing’ and staying positive instead of getting angry by saying things ‘should’ be the way you want.
When you feel angry, it is tough to think straight. In such a situation, try to focus on your breathing to slow it down. Anger is temporary madness, leading to aggressive communication. You must make an effort to change aggressive communication into a submissive and assertive language. Anger is destructive; a good method to make that energy positive is through meditation.
—Dr Sunit Bhatewara, facilitator, Emotional Intelligence
A responsible driver may have made a mistake
To control road rage, firstly drive safe so that no one gets a chance to point out your mistake. Take precautions while driving and follow rules stringently. Anybody’s foremost reaction when something like this happens is to react violently and hurl abuses.
Everyone behaves that way. We waste time and energy fighting even when we know that a positive outcome is not possible. Thus, people should use their common sense and call the ambulance or police, whichever is needed at that point of time.
I do not think reacting with anger leads to anything. The person who hit your car may not have done it purposely. Though the city is full of reckless drivers, it may actually be a responsible driver who made a mistake. Moreover, careless and rash drivers are used to getting into fights and nothing is going to change them. For them, breaking the rules amounts to adventure, so why listen to them? I would keep cool and act like nothing has happened if the case is not serious and no one has suffered injuries. Otherwise, I would note down the vehicle number and register a complaint.
—Tushar Kshirsagar, IT engineer
Driving on city roads is a test of patience
I have got involved in many situations like these while driving. Twice, I have also got into a brawl due to the other person’s provocation. Driving on our roads is a test of patience. Footpaths are non-existent, so pedestrians walk on the roads decreasing the space for vehicles.
Even in minor accidents, when it is not the driver’s fault, s/he becomes the target of public fury. This is one of the main triggers for anger leading to road rage. It is reactive behaviour, so it’s best to not make a fuss even if it is your fault.
When I just started driving the car, I would often get involved in such situations even though I knew I was not to blame. The fear of hurting someone while driving because of another person’s fault is the biggest cause of that anger. With experience, I know that being patient is the best way to go about it.
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