The rapid growth of our cities has seen road density rise many fold, and has brought with it a lot of road rage as well. People are growing more irritable, and are easily prone to picking a fight on a whim. Everyone feels it is their sole right to reach their destination as fast as possible. In the ensuing melee, cars without scratches are a rare oddity – a case of good fortune rather than superior driving skills. But what is really appalling is that increasingly, people with larger vehicles think they own the road and demand right of way, bullying and bulldozing others on the road.
The interesting side-effect of this boorish behaviour is how it has effected a similar change in the drivers of these vehicles (I am not referring to the owners themselves as most often the rich possess the larger vehicles, and have someone to chauffeur them around). On the road, the driver becomes the spokesperson for the owner, and handles all incidents and skirmishes on behalf of the employer. The owner is shielded within the confines of the vehicle (which is usually heavily tinted as well), and mostly remains oblivious to the antics of the driver. The driver is given full freedom to deal with any unpleasant situation that may arise while quickly ferrying the owner across the city. Some of the traits required to apply for such a job would be an ability to heckle, intimidate and occasionally get involved in fisticuffs to ensure ‘offenders’ are taught a lesson how to give right of way to a large and ‘important’ vehicle. The type of vehicle being driven and the professional background of the employer also help to shape the identity of the driver. A SUV and a politician are an ideal combination for a thug driver, while a luxury sedan and a businessman might better complement a suave-looking but bad-mouthing driver.
This job sector has changed the dynamics of society. Indeed, a person who might have been another lost face in the crowd assumes a false identity of importance behind the wheel of a large car of a powerful person. The responsibilities given by the employer induce a misplaced notion of pride, in the process transferring an offshoot of power to the driver. While some may just be following orders, others enjoy this opportunity to dictate terms. Every person has their self-worth and is entitled to opportunities that further their aspirations. However, what the person doesn’t realize is beyond this guise of employment and earning is a corruption of the self, causing harm to themselves as well as others around them through their actions.
Incidents of road rage are becoming increasingly more violent, even resulting in loss of life. Assuaging bruised egos takes precedence over clear thinking in these trivial issues.
Unfortunately, this has not left the compound of very own complex unscathed. There have been a few unsavoury episodes, of which one I have experienced myself! I was returning to the parking lot on my scooter when the Corolla in front of me stopped abruptly at the turning. The owner took his own sweet time getting down from the vehicle, which prompted me to go around the outside of the car (since there was enough space to do so). While I was parking in our designated area, the driver honked loudly at me, gesturing wildly. I wondered why he was making such a fuss but ignored it anyway. But I was in for a rude shock when he came back to argue with me (once his owner was out of earshot!). He screamed at me saying I would have damaged an expensive car, and even threatened to punch me in the face. On speaking to the owner of the car about his driver’s totally uncalled for behaviour, he supported him, refusing to believe that he could behave in such a manner. While I really didn’t expect him to apologize, I hoped for a bit of civility within our complex. Sadly, the situation mirrors that of the world outside.