Reasons for this emerging nationwide threat are many and need urgent addressing
Goa lost former MLA Lavoo Mamledar in a road rage incident in Belagavi last week. The former police officer’s car had brushed against an auto-rickshaw on Saturday. The 26-year-old auto driver followed Mamledar and confronted him when he stopped at Khade Bazaar to enter the lodge where he was staying. The driver slapped Mamledar multiple times. Mamledar, who then entered the lodge, collapsed at the entrance and was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
In recent years, road rage has been a growing problem in India and is seen not only in the metros but across cities.
Goa witnessed a similar case a week ago wherein two persons from Nagpur assaulted a Goan driver at Sangolda after their vehicles grazed each other. A video that went viral showed how the local was assaulted by the tourists with a helmet and fist blows. Locals reacted with anger at the manner in which the two riders from Maharashtra behaved with the taxi driver. On the other side, there are also allegations from tourists that locals react in anger against them too over incidents of minor collisions.
In general, Goa has experienced an uptick in road rage incidents, and if such cases continue, they could potentially affect its image as a peaceful state, especially from the tourism perspective. Considering the current situation, Goa cannot afford to see an increase in road rage cases irrespective of who the victim is. Many cases of road rage do not get registered. They are resolved by way of what is termed as “settlement” between the disputing parties.
Road rage refers to aggressive or violent behaviour by road users, including acts like speeding, tailgating, overtaking dangerously, giving hostile looks or hurling abuses, or the worst of all, engaging in a physical fight. It is described as an impulsive expression of anger triggered in a motorist in reaction to the behaviour of another motorist. Causes for this are many according to experts and include congested roads, fear of being late, honking, poor road condition, lack of lane discipline, tailgating, etc. Ego is also a factor, psychologists say. Factors like frustration and anger while driving are also causes. In this fast-paced world, everyone is in a hurry to reach one’s destination. Hence, road discipline is a must. Mizoram, it is said, is an example for road discipline. People dealing with anxiety could be more prone to road rage incidents, sometimes utilising the opportunity to vent their anger on others. Reports say that there’s been a nearly 50% increase in road rage cases in the country in the last three years. Some link the aggressive behaviour to the impact of the pandemic.
Police have also come across cases that are related to attitude problems, while some experts also cite socio-economic inequalities. Most cases erupt from minor brushes between vehicles, and the attitude of one of the two parties then escalates the issue to an altercation, which sometimes turns physical. Psychologists have more reasons for the increasing road rage incidents in the country.
To curb cases, the government must rope in NGOs to create awareness and teach students about the implications of road rage. Licensing needs to be made stricter. Some aggression de-escalation training, more mental health support for motorists, strict enforcement of the law, etc., are needed to cool tempers while driving. Road rage has made driving dangerous in India.
