Road Rage, why?

[Gemini Kings]

Just curious to see what others experiences of road rage are.

I am always amazed at at how irate and outraged some men get behind the wheel of their car for the slightest little thing that they clearly take so personal that they feel they have to burst blood vessels in their animated response.

The latest torrent of abuse directed my way was just last Friday. I was riding my motorbike to the Luton G casino for the Friday night comp.

Riding in the inside lane through Dunstable there was car in the outside lane as we approached a mini roundabout. He slowed right down and I thought he was letting me go first, so I did. Wrong. He came right up behind me repeatedly blaring his horn.

So I moved over and slowed down waiting for him to come alongside to see what his problem was.

Well it's impossible to overstate just how angry and irate he was. He lowed the passenger window and began yelling while every vain in his neck and face pulsated to breaking point. His wife or girlfriend just sat looking down at the dashboard as if embarrassed.

I didn't, hear a word due to the sound of my bike and Bruce Springstein booming out over my bikes speakers, (Harley Ultra Glide). But I knew he wasn't asking for directions.

Needless to say my response was exactly what he deserved, (except maybe a broken nose) I shouted back to him "you are f**** mental". I told him he was totally overreacting. For a second I thought he was going to ram me with the side of his car, but he closed the window and drove off.

I will respond to out of proportion reactions like this but I have never felt the need to start incidents like this.

So what causes this behaviour from people who would no doubt be polite in most other social settings?

Is there any link between road rage and players who react badly at the poker table when they lose a big pot or suffer a bad beat. Are they the same people?

[Leatherman]

What bike ya got?

[Gemini Kings]

What bike ya got?

Harley Davidson ultra glide,

[RED-DOG]

Behind a keyboard, behind the wheel of a car, its the same thing. People hurl abuse because they feel safe.

They usually wouldn't say boo face to face.

[Gemini Kings]

Behind a keyboard, behind the wheel of a car, its the same thing. People hurl abuse because they feel safe.

They usually wouldn't say boo face to face.

Exactly

[Leatherman]

What bike ya got?

Harley Davidson ultra glide,

Nice, looks like a beast of a bike..

[youthnkzR]

gotta say i sometimes get frustrated behind the wheel, especially if somebody else is clearly in the wrong and doesnt apologise - that being said i dont think there is a link to anything at the poker table as i will have the odd moment of anger, but like with the majority of other people, its on very rare occasions.

[AndrewT]

You have loudspeakers on your motorbike?

WTF?

[Gemini Kings]

gotta say i sometimes get frustrated behind the wheel, especially if somebody else is clearly in the wrong and doesnt apologise - that being said i dont think there is a link to anything at the poker table as i will have the odd moment of anger, but like with the majority of other people, its on very rare occasions.

Frustration is fine we all get frustrated but it's How we deal with it that counts.

I am referring to outrage over little things that should not even cause frustration let alone a barrage of snarling, animated abuse. When it happens the offenders dont even wait or look for an apology before they let loose.

[Gemini Kings]

You have loudspeakers on your motorbike?

WTF?

Lol yes, it's the one with full fairing panniers and top box. The passenger seat is like an armchair.

[Gemini Kings]

What bike ya got?

Harley Davidson ultra glide,

Nice, looks like a beast of a bike..

Thanks, yeah it's very comfortable on long journeys.

[MLHMLH]

It's a vent. People get angry and frustrated at other things (spouse, children, work etc) but don't necessarily show it.  They adopt behaviours in certain situations (i.e. behind the wheel of a car, at the poker table) and something triggers an outburst.  All drivers observe bad driving (or perceived bad driving) from other road users all the time, the majority don't react to it.  Those that do react then vent the anger and frustration of the other things they are angry at in their lives at the driver/car they believe to have done them wrong!  I used to do it all the time, getting really worked up at some of the idiots on the road.  Your body physically reacts to anger by producing adrenalin and then because you can't control your anger, literally anything can happen, because you absolutely lose control.  What you can try to control is your behaviour and the way you think about things.  People who have inadvertently trained their brain to think negatively over the years (maybe through observing their parents or other significant adults) are more likely to have anger problems, because the anger stems from their negative thinking.  "He's out to get me", "why does everyone hate me", "they are just doing it to wind me up".  These are the type of thoughts people who think negatively have going through their minds when they perceive that someone has done something to THEM.  It can take many many years for someone to literally change the way they think, to try to stop negative thought patterns and instead be indifferent or think positively.  If you can consciously do this, you can stop yourself getting angry in the first place and you will not then get the physical reaction and lose control.  The key is to train your brain into doing it unconsciously, without it being forced.  If it's any consolation to anyone who has been on the receiving end of an angry reaction, the person going through the anger usually feels upset, embarrassed and regretful as soon as the physical reaction they experienced has faded.

[DungBeetle]

"Your body physically reacts to anger by producing adrenalin and then because you can't control your anger, literally anything can happen, because you absolutely lose control"

Are you okay Dr Banner?

[AndrewT]

You have loudspeakers on your motorbike?

WTF?

Lol yes, it's the one with full fairing panniers and top box. The passenger seat is like an armchair.

How loud does it have to go so someone wearing a crash helmet and sitting on an engine can hear it?

[smashedagain]

You have loudspeakers on your motorbike?

WTF?

Lol yes, it's the one with full fairing panniers and top box. The passenger seat is like an armchair.

Past the point where the kid travelling on a bus in the opposite direction can hear it over his beats and ipod

How loud does it have to go so someone wearing a crash helmet and sitting on an engine can hear it?