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Two wrongs don’t make a right

Two wrongs don’t make a right

Mikko David

“Nagdilim ang paningin.”

I used to think this was a typical Filipino excuse for unruly, sometimes deadly, behavior. But that brief moment people revert to their primal states to defend themselves or prove their superiority over others is happening more often lately, especially on our roads.

Unfortunately, we have been seeing more and more road rage incidents shared on our newsfeeds. Whether it’s because of the worsening traffic, the proliferation of social media, or the audacity of these acts, road rage has become a daily occurrence.

From shouting matches to gun-toting threats, even retribution against other motorists using one’s vehicle, road rage has evolved into an evil sickness slowly plaguing many drivers and riders in the country.

The stress involved in our daily commutes only makes it worse for us. Often, we curse at other motorists for an ill-timed lane change. We honk our louder-than-stock car horns at the vehicle ahead of us for not moving even just a second after the red light turned green. We even stepped on the gas and cut off another car if its driver didn’t let us merge.

With our driving conditions in the country, there will always be reasons to do the wrong we do on the road. But it doesn’t mean that our road rage is justified.

Road rage can get you in trouble. With mobile phone cameras and CCTVs almost everywhere nowadays, you’d be lucky not to become a shareable meme on the same day you commit your heinous road rage act.

Then there’s the instantaneous reaction of netizens who will condemn you and your ilk for that one brief moment you lose control of yourself on the road. Expect at least a week of online haunting, sleepless nights, and personal threats to you and your family if you find yourself in the wrong in these viral videos.

And there’s also the legal implications of your dastardly act, like losing your driver’s license, a court case, or worse, jail time.

Karma is digital, indeed.

Fortunately, there are ways to keep yourself from succumbing to road rage. Some are so basic you’d be surprised they work.

Don’t use the car horn

Aside from cutting manufacturing costs, there’s a reason why most modern mass-market cars nowadays have just one horn. And that’s to keep you from using them as a tool to spew hate.

The car horn has become an extension of our swearing here in the Philippines. We all know the other guy can’t hear you from inside your car, so you honk away to make it clear you despise him.

In the end, though, you suffer from the stress created by your honking. The other motorist could care less what you feel. You are the one most affected by your rage.

Stop using the car horn unless in an extreme emergency, and notice how calm your driving can become.

Avoid eye contact

What’s with Pinoys and machismo? Staring down another driver doesn’t make you more superior in the scenario. Returning the gesture does not help either.

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Looking at other drivers while they stare you down only invites more animosity. And it will only escalate the conflict unnecessarily, leading to more acts of rage.

The key to avoiding conflict escalation is to prevent the stare-down altogether. Look at the road ahead, appear preoccupied with operating the vehicle, and keep your focus on driving. These simple acts will prevent road rage from ever rearing its ugly head.

Remember, you do not own the road

The real way to avoid being on the propagating end of road rage is to accept the fact that you do not own the road. Sure, you pay taxes to build and maintain them, but so do every other driver or rider in a car, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle. Even pedestrians deserve to use these roads.

Our sense of entitlement when we’re on the road has to stop. We should share the space we occupy on the road, not assume ownership of them.

Drive with this mindset, and you’ll better appreciate other motorists and why they do what they do.

We are a nation of laws. Obeying them is the only way we can coexist in harmony. By respecting road rules and allowing drivers to use these roads with us, we can learn to drive in peace.

So the next time you find yourself about to let loose on another motorist, take a deep breath and ask yourself, “Is this all worth it?”