A confession: I get upset and sometimes very angry at what other drivers do when I’m driving on the road. And sometime, I inadvertently do something that makes other drivers angry at me! The question is, how do we contain that anger and how far do we take it to retaliate or strike back! That’s what has to change! 
A few weeks back, a driver came upon my vehicle on a Saturday when my wife and I were out enjoying our day. This vehicle was moving at a high rate of speed and swerved in front of me to make a turn! I immediately hit the horn and my temperature level rose mainly because I felt a sense of danger for us both. How dare that person do that and WHY? Once I stopped honking my loud horn, my wife kindly spoke: “Honey, these are different times and if you don’t stop doing that, someone is either going to pull a gun and shoot at us or stop at a red light and come back and attack! You need to consider this in this new world we live in where so many people carry guns and use them for incidents such as this!” She got my attention!
Unfortunately, ROAD RAGE is much more prevalent in our society and it seems to be on the increase with a higher reporting of incidents that are deadly in some cases. Take the drive-by shooting that occurred last week that killed 4 year old Lilly Garcia in Alburquerque, NM. Lily and her brother were in their father’s truck after being picked up from school when police say another car forced the vehicle out of its lane. The father gestured toward the other driver and swore at him. The man in the other car opened fire, hitting little Lilly in the head. She was pronounced dead a short time later. The other driver had a conviction for this same type of incident in the past.
This is one of many tragic incidents that has been reported but this made national news because of the age of this innocent child.
Eight out of 10 drivers surveyed in the AAA Foundation’s annual Traffic Safety Culture Index rank aggressive driving as a “serious” or “extremely serious” risk that jeopardizes driver and passenger safety. Aggressive driving accounts for more than half of all traffic fatalities.
Although “road rage” incidents provide some of the most shocking views of aggressive driving, many common behaviors, including racing, tailgating, failing to observe signs and regulations, and seeking confrontations with other drivers, all qualify as potentially aggressive behaviors. Speeding is one of the most prevalent aggressive behaviors. AAA Foundation studies show that speeding is a factor in one-third of all fatal crashes.
Despite a strong public awareness and understanding of aggressive driving, many people are willing to excuse aggressive behaviors. But now, some of those aggressive behaviors are having deadly consequences.
After my incident above and from what I read about the lack of tolerance and destructive action taken by drivers, I’ve made some changes in my attitude and behavior when I drive. How important is it for me to make a point that could back-fire and cause me or my family MUCH MORE HARM than the little incident that upset me in the moment?? We’re in a sad place with intolerance and lack of patience in our country which certainly includes driving on our highways. Maybe my experience can help you to be more ‘patient’ as you drive your vehicle! The patience you exhibit could save your life and others.
