Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Road rage on the rise

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Road rage and aggressive driving on the narrow and congested roads in the State capital is turning out to be a concern for road users and law-enforcing agencies.

Threatening and abusing motorists and pedestrians, tailgating and blocking and running vehicles off the road have become common features.

The widened Kowdiar-Vellayambalam stretch is the most favourite stretch of teenagers who arrive in modified motorcycles for clipping (driving at top speeds).

Teenagers squeezing past the long line of vehicles in sleek motorcycles, ignoring road dividers, jumping signals and overtaking through the left and organising racing during peak hours are a common sight.

Several road accidents have been reported from the stretch despite the police keeping a vigil.

Road rage is on the increase in the capital, traffic police say.

It is uncontrolled anger or hostility which results in criminal acts linked to the running of a motor vehicle. Often, it gives rise to verbal provocations such as yelling and cursing, honking, rude or obscene gestures and threats.

Road safety experts point out that while aggressive driving involves the violation of a traffic safety law, road rage involves the breaking of a criminal law. Frustration on the part of motorists owing to bad road conditions, poor enforcement of traffic rules and conflict situations between heavy vehicles add to the problems faced by the road users.

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