How to avoid becoming a victim of road rage
"Courtesy is contagious. Let us start an epidemic,”
Following the road rage incident two weeks ago, the NEWS spoke to the chairperson of Justice Project South Africa.
The NEWS sought advice on how motorists could avoid becoming victims of road rage.
Mr Howard Dembovsky said the best way to respond in a road rage incident is to remain as calm as possible.
“It is important for motorists not to react harshly, not to become aggressive or to escalate the matter further,” said Mr Dembovksy.
He said road rage has been scientifically linked to Intermittent Explosive Disorder.
Mr Dembovsky said when an explosive episode of IED, such as a road rage incident, does happen it is caused by a build up of daily pressure.
“A build up of stress occurs in someone and often an action of another motorist can trigger a person to react aggressively,” said Mr Dembovsky.
In order to avoid incidents of road rage, Mr Dembovsky said motorists need to obey the rules of the road, drive with care for other motorists and keep their safety in mind.
“It is not the responsibility of motorists to enforce the rules of the road and police other motorists. That is the duty of traffic officials,” said Mr Dembovsky.
He said if a motorist is the victim of road rage they should not respond aggressively but rather tone a situation down and reply calmly to the aggressor.
Motorists need to be courteous to other road users.
Mr Dembowsky said if a motorist is courteous to another road user, the courtesy in most cases is passed on to the next person.
“Courtesy is contagious. Let us start an epidemic,” said Mr Dembovsky.
