Driving is a pleasurable activity, but there is just something about it that brings out the worst in us. Driving can transform a person who is patient and kind into a short-tempered and ill-mannered animal when they’re behind the wheel.
Having to avoid careless drivers, pedestrians on their mobile devices and slow-reacting motorists can instantaneously make one’s blood boil. I suppose that’s why some drivers end up unleashing their road rage.
Whatever happened to sitting back and enjoying the drive?
I have an uncle who personifies this Jekyll & Hyde analogy. When he’s not driving, he is good-natured, insightful and full of humorous anecdotes. But once he sets off, any perceived transgression – no matter how minor – puts him in the foulest of moods.
At times, I’m just as bad as he is. But instead of verbalising my road rage, I internalise it. At most, I’ll raise my hands in frustration, hoping that the other driver will see it and realise he needs to pay more attention to the road.
My worst moments occur as I’m reaching our office. I can feel heat rising up my neck, my eyeballs burning and heart pounding hard. If I had Jedi abilities, I’d use The Force to persuade and influence other motorists to be more careful.
But if I was a Sith Lord, the roads would be a mess. With the ability to cast lightning and “throw” vehicles out of the way, I’d leave a trail of car-nage from my home to the office.
I’ve tried a number of techniques to reduce the stress I feel while I’m driving. I’ve attempted to breathe deeply while counting to ten, but just as I reach five, I’ll encounter another careless motorist and have to start over.
Times like these, I’m grateful for our public transport system. When you’ve had too many encounters with reckless drivers, it’s a relief to hop onto the MRT and let someone else do the driving.
