After the long Christmas holiday when traffic was relatively relaxed, parents, taxis, and school vans are rushing to drop or pick-up children
Late January and early February are usually periods of intense stress for motorists. It comes after the long Christmas holiday when traffic was relatively relaxed because of the absence of school trucks and parents rushing to drop or pick-up children before hurrying back to office. Parents and taxi drivers sleep longer as they do not have to prepare and drop off children to school early. When these frantic activities resume early in the year, they find most motorists mentally unprepared and lead to an increase in incidents of road rage.
Fights erupt over parking spots, motorists lose their way on streets without names, and you are forced off the road by the convoys of an endless stream of VIPs or merely overtaken on a blind curve by a reckless driver. All these cause road rage. It is therefore smart to be prepared for it. The following hints could help you avoid trouble.
- Prepare yourself mentally by developing a relaxation routine. It could involve setting the tone with calming music; something slow and soothing played at a reasonable volume. Your state of mind is a vital element in stress free safe driving.
- The first rule to keeping your own stress level down is to allow yourself plenty of time for whatever errands you have.
- Have a clear route plan and stick to it even when the unusual happens. This involves planning the easiest route to your destination. It involves avoiding traffic snarl ups by studying the traffic patterns along your route and choosing routes and times that avoid them. However, should an unusual event interfere with your route, don’t panic. Remember, ill-considered decisions like choosing a short-cut or detour you usually avoid could lead you an even worse situation.
- Look out for early warning signs of danger and avoid them by practicing defensive driving. Road rage has largely not been researched in Uganda but in other countries it has been shown by extensive studies that male motorists, especially young men, tend to be more aggressive on the road than women. They speed, jump lights, drink-drive, and generally pose a greater risk to themselves and others on the road. Beware of them.
- If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation; it could be a minor accident involving you or others, or a minor incident like a car cutting rudely in front of you, or overtaking you and breaking suddenly, remain calm. Ensure you project confidence and control instead of fear and vulnerability even if that is what you feel inside. Be polite and courteous, even when other drivers behave unreasonably. Avoid confrontation. If you are in error, apologise quickly but do not expect the same from other motorists. Instead be ready for rudeness or aggression from other drivers. Always remember that your primary aim is to defuse the situation and get away.
Note the following:
- If another car pulls up alongside or harasses you, avoid eye contact.
- If you have to stop, stay in your car with the doors locked and engine running, ready to drive off or reverse away.
- If situation escalates beyond what you can handle and you have a mobile phone; use it to call the police for help.
- Memorise the registration number of the other car, its make and colour, and anything you can about the driver’s description.
- Sometimes, however, it is not you but others who need help.
- If an argument erupts between other motorists around you, don’t attempt to intervene. It could prove dangerous as some motorists carry guns and are not shy to start a fist-fight. It is safer to call the police.
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