Recently, my grandfather told me a story about him getting cut off by someone in traffic, and he said he was so angry, he could have fought that other driver. If you've ever been bored enough to look up fight videos on Youtube, you've probably seen a road rage incident that involved a fist fight. Some good old street pugilism to figure out who was right in that situation. Road rage fights, and fights in general, are most common among men, who like to beat the hell out of each other to settle their differences.
However, road rage incidents and deaths have skyrocketed in recent years. 66 percent of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving, which just means speeding and things like that. However, 37 percent of road range incidents involve a firearm. That means that some people get so upset from a road rage incident that they pull a gun on someone. Why does driving make men my age so quick to anger?
A few months ago, on my way to work at my old job, a man with Virginia plates was tailgating me after getting off the highway. As usual, when someone tailgates me, I brake check them to keep them off me. However, that seemed to stir the man behind me, and it only got worse when I flipped him off as he passed. He swerved out of the lane he was turning from and followed me to the next red light. He rolled down his window, and I rolled down mine. He informed me that brake-checking him was uncalled for, and I told him that tailgating me was also uncalled for. The younger man in his passenger seat was yelling at me, and I may have called him a bad name, but that made him get out of his car.
As soon as someone gets out of their car in an incident like this one, you are automatically in a fight-or-flight situation. The man approaching my car wasn't physically threatening, but he could have had a gun on him. However, I was so upset that I didn't care, and I also got out of my car. The guy still in the car was trying to get his son back in the car, but wasn't really listening. We argued in each other's faces for a minute, but then the man I was arguing with shoved me. This was yet another dangerous change in the situation, as I had been taught by my father to never start a fight, but if someone tries to, don't back down. Again, I should have never entertained the thought of fighting this idiot, but I reacted aggressively. I didn't punch him or anything, and I won't go into details, but this aggression I showed made him rethink his chances and he went back to his car. We both drove off.
Knowing all the statistics about people pulling out guns and things like that, there is a small chance I could have been killed in this situation. The guy who was arguing with me could have also been killed. I'm no street murderer, but statistically speaking, he would have had a gun pulled on him 1 out of every 3 times. The same goes for me.
Knowing what I know now, I realize that getting all worked up over someone cutting me off in traffic isn't worth getting shot. There are a lot of really stupid, angry people who own guns and are not afraid to use them. Road rage really isn't worth it, but it's nice to fantasize about punching people who ride your ass in traffic. Keep the violence down and just try to control yourself. Two minutes earlier to work or school isn't worth your life.
It seems that road rage incidents have risen with violent crime and mass shootings. The violent culture that we live in is most likely to blame for our increase in commuter mayhem. Violence is everywhere in our lives, and we become naturally inclined to participate, because we are all a part of this society.
There is no clear solution to road rage. People like to drive fast, and these aggressive drivers get upset when they can't keep their own pace. In some states, an anger management issue would disqualify someone from getting a driver's license. Maybe this should be a standard for getting and keeping a license. Who knows. All I can tell you is to just breathe and stay in the car. If someone comes up to you, defend yourself or drive away. Don't start anything, because it could get you killed.
