Road Rage

Road rage is a modern phenomenon. The anonymity of driver of a motor vehicle, the vehicle's transient nature, and the tension of driving in heavy traffic set the stage for being easily offended by another driver's actions, whether intentional or not, and reacting by exhibiting behavior in reprisal, which actions can be flinging verbal epithets at the offender or using sign language. In some cases, the reaction goes beyond an exhibition of displeasure. The offended motorist decides that the offending driver should be taught a lesson or even punished for their offensive driving. Now, what is considered offensive also varies with the reacting party - going to slow, changing lanes without signaling, tail-gating, abruptly causing another to brake, etc. Teaching another a lesson may involve returning the offensive behavior. Punishing the offender can range anywhere from blocking their progress to beating out their brains or even shooting the offender. Returning the offensive behavior and endangering oneself or others or physically attacking another motorist and committing a criminal act are pathological reactions to the common driving experiences.

The problem with road rage is that incidents of the latter types are more and more prevalent or so it seems. Probably the only advice that one could give another to help them avoid being the victim of road rage is to watch your driving and don't react, not even verbally or physically. You never know what type of crazy person you are sharing the road with, so don't take chances.