The Cleveland SAPS is warning residents to refrain from road rage or face the consequences.
Possible consequences include jail time, serious injury, death or a lifetime of regret.
Almost every motorist has experienced some sort of frustration while driving, but it is how far you take it that could mean the difference between life and death.
Road rage incidents have made headline news in recent months, with one of the latest being that of a woman who was dragged under a car in Johannesburg on November 20.
ER24 paramedics arrived on-scene and found Ms Suzanne Leyden lying in the middle of the road.
She sustained multiple injuries to her head and chest.
Paramedics treated the victim and she was taken to hospital for urgent treatment.
It is believed the incident occurred when she stopped her vehicle to exchange details with another driver after a collision.
The driver sped off, dragging Ms Leyden under the vehicle for some distance.
The SAPS warned that anyone caught breaking the law will face jail time.
“Road rage is a criminal offence. Anyone found harassing motorists on the road will be charged. They could face charges such as reckless and negligent driving, harassment and other charges, depending on the seriousness of the crime.
“If a motorist is harassed, they should take down the registration number of the vehicle driven by the suspect and call the police. Do not retaliate. This could aggravate the situation. You can get killed. Call the SAPS on 10111,” said Constable Mpho Mashakane, the Cleveland SAPS communications officer.
Prevention
Mr Henning Jacobs, the trauma support co-ordinator at ER24, urged people to stay calm and do as little as possible if provoked.
He said road rage incidents are preventable if people do not act out of anger.
He urged people to enter their vehicles in a peaceful frame of mind prior to driving.
“Music helps some people. Breathing exercises can also help you stay calm,” he added.
According to Mr Jacobs, road rage is linked to people experiencing personal or work-related problems.
“When people experience trauma or stress, they are flooded with feelings and emotion. When people do not vent their feelings or do not have coping mechanisms in place, these feelings and emotions build up. A road incident can trigger all of those emotions at once,” he said. These emotions can lead to road rage.
“Therefore, road rage can be prevented if people have coping skills in place and methods to help vent their feelings. Road rage may be prevented if people obtain proper help for their mental or emotional problems. See a counsellor or psychologist,” he said.
