The research company Synovate has found in a road rage study that South Africa is one of the countries to suffer most from this hazard to road safety. The well-known Springbok rugby player, Ollie Le Roux, has once referred to an instance where a New Zeeland opponent asked him why South Africa is such an angry nation. Earlier today the media reported on an incident where an elderly man was attacked in an apparent “road rage attack”.
What are the reasons for road rage in South Africa - and what can be done to prevent this?
Psychologists have a number of explanations for this and much of this has been included on the Arrive Alive website in a special section for road rage. Criminologists have often referred to the fact that many of the incidents of road rage are related to intoxication.
I believe that we have to look at two other factors as well - traffic congestion and lawlessness. In the budget speach of the Department of Transport yesterday, Minister Jeff Radebe announced innovative plans to address public transport in South Africa. Mention was also made of the need to address traffic congestion. Traffic congestion can contribute towards increased frustration, but when this is accompanied by lawlessness and inconsiderate behaviour from other road users, we might find an explosion of road rage!
Recent reports of bad driving to the National Traffic Call Centre at the RTMC have included many reports of driving behaviour that is inconsiderate. Photos have also been included of minibus taxis “skipping the line” and passing across barrier lines.
Road safety requires a commitment to safe driving behaviour and obedience to traffic laws from all drivers. It also requires effective traffic enforcement and the removal of disobedient drivers.
There are specific techniques available to the road user that could assist in avoiding aggressive driving. We should all perhaps follow this advice and take some time to consider the effect that our driving might have on others…
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