Rising Road Rage: What India Can Learn From Other Countries To Tackle This Problem

Here are some tips to stay safe during road rage incidents, along with global lessons on how to manage them.

Sharing a road with an aggressive driver can be a nerve-wracking experience. One minute you are listening to your favourite music, and the other minute, you encounter an angry driver, overtaking, abusing, or, worse, engaging in a physical altercation. 

The recent incidents on Indian roads have shown the serious psychological issues people are facing. Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself from such situations and valuable lessons we can learn from how other countries are combating road rage. Read on….

What is Road Rage?

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.

Reasons For Road Rage

Road rage is often triggered by a combination of factors such as frustration and anger while driving. However, most road rage events usually boil down to two main factors: a bad decision/mistake and a poor reaction. For example, maybe someone makes a silly mistake and you lose your cool, or vice versa. 

People dealing with depression and anxiety can also be more prone to road rage incidents, sometimes venting their anger on others. And then, of course, there are those on a power trip acting like they are a character from a Bollywood movie, needing to assert themselves with the classic line, ‘Tu janta nahi hai, mai kaun hu!' (don't you know who I am?).

How to Handle Road Rage

Regardless of the reasons behind road rage, you can avoid getting caught up in it or prevent things from escalating by keeping these tips in mind:

1. Never EVER engage in ‘Tit for Tat’ during a road rage incident. At least one driver needs to remain calm – and that should be you! Just drive away from the place and get to safety. You never know what could set someone off and make them more violent. If you feel threatened, keep a safe distance and consider noting the vehicle’s license plate number to report to the authorities, if necessary.

2. Plan your commute or trip in advance. If Maps shows it’ll take you an hour to reach your destination, factor in another 15 minutes for unexpected delays like traffic. Don’t try to make up for lost time by getting frustrated and speeding — doing so could end up costing you your life. If you encounter an aggressive driver tailgating or driving recklessly, swallow your pride and let the angry man pass.

3. Be considerate of other road users. You never know why someone might be driving slowly — it could be an elderly person behind the wheel, or someone driving their pregnant wife to the hospital. Even if there’s no valid reason and they’re just being distracted by their phone, it’s important to be the bigger person and avoid confrontation. Remember, it’s always better to say ‘Sorry’, even if you are not at fault to avoid unnecessary fights.

Pro Tip: Consider installing a dashcam on your car’s windshield to record all the activities on the road ahead or inside the cabin. This recording will serve as proof in case of any legal action. And it's always wise to reach a safe location (if the aggressive driver is following you) and call the police to handle the situation further.

Also Read: Women Drivers, Read These 5 Tips to Stay Safe On The Road!

Did you know?

March 1, 2022

Mizoram sets a stellar example in terms of traffic discipline. A video that went viral on Instagram, showcased how people were patiently moving in their lane at a snail’s pace without honking, even though the opposite lane was empty. Imagine if motorists across the country drove as disciplined as those in Mizoram and other Northeastern states! Wouldn’t it be amazing?

What does the law state about road rage in India?

Currently, there’s no specific law addressing road rage in India and it’s high time we acknowledge the need for one. However, section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (formerly the Indian Penal Code) states that anyone  driving a vehicle in a rash manner that causes or is likely to cause harm to any person shall be punished with: 

• Imprisonment of up to 6 months, or

• A fine of up to Rs 1,000, or

• Both 

Meanwhile, section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, states that if a person is caught driving dangerously, they shall be liable for imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year, or a fine between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000, or both for their first offence. But if the same individual commits a similar offence within 3 years, the imprisonment increases to 2 years and fine up to Rs 10,000, or both.

Road Rage Management Lessons from Around the World

Australia

In the New South Wales state of Australia, road rage is considered extremely serious. Those involved in actions that threaten or impact another vehicle can face up to five years in jail, a fine of up to $100,000 AUS (around Rs 57 lakh), and a driving disqualification. Penalties become more severe if the driving results in physical assault or the victim’s car is intentionally damaged.

Singapore

In Singapore, road rage is a crime. The offenders found guilty of road rage may be liable to an imprisonment term of up to 2 years or a fine of up to $5,000 SGD (Rs 3.21 lakh) for causing harm.

United Kingdom

If road rage leads to assault or harm, it can result in criminal charges. The Public Order Act, of 1986 says that a person can’t act in a way that would scare or upset people in public. It also forbids any threatening behavior that could make someone feel unsafe.

United States

In places like Virginia, it's often easier to charge someone with reckless driving instead of aggressive driving when it comes to road rage, because you don't have to prove they intended to drive dangerously. Serious road rage incidents that cause injuries or deaths usually result in harsher penalties.

Japan

Aggressive drivers in Japan can be sentenced to prison for up to five years or fined up to one million yen (Rs 5.75 lakh) and the driver’s license will be invalidated.

Preventive Measures To Curb The Road Rage Globally

Countries like the US, UK, Sweden, and Australia have road rage and safe driving awareness campaigns, along with rehabilitation centers for managing road anger. Additionally, the Netherlands and Australia include compulsory traffic lessons in their school curriculum. Australia also offers webinars and defensive driving courses for victims of road rage. Traffic safety education in Japan aims to tackle the rising number of aggressive driving. This program emphasizes the importance of understanding safe behavioral practices and maintaining awareness of one’s surroundings.

Did you know? 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, works to improve mental health across the country.

Singapore offers anger management courses and conducts "Singapore Road Safety Month," during which the traffic police hold educational webinars to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding.

What steps should India take? Comment down below!