Road rage in Trinidad and Tobago

THE EDITOR: Road rage is anger, violent behaviour caused by another’s bad driving or the stress of being in heavy traffic. A person suffering from an anxiety disorder will feel anxious when driving.

Displaced anger and high life stress are linked to road rage. Those who exhibit road rage are more likely to misuse alcohol and drugs.

Aggressive driving can escalate into road rage, but road rage does not occur in every case of aggressive driving. Road rage is a psychological disorder where one experiences hostility because of the driving environment. One needs to be a defensive driver, remain calm and not be influenced by traffic conditions.

There are defensive driving courses available. Road rage results in verbal insults, threats, yelling, cursing and dangerous driving.

Those who indulge in road rage are selfish, power-hungry and vindictive. All behind the wheel must be polite and courteous. We all have a right to drive safely on the potholed roads of TT.

Those in positions of power may feel they have the right of way and indulge in road rage. The ambulance, fire truck and police must be given a free passage by other motorists.

AV RAMPERSAD

Princes Town