Road rage is escalating in Bengaluru, with incidents like a woman receiving a rape threat, another slapped for canceling an Uber, and a biker fatally attacked over a minor collision. Experts weigh in on why Bengalureans are getting angry.
Published Sep 15, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 15, 2024 | 11:11 AM
Peak-hour traffic on Bengaluru's Ring Road. (Creative Commons)
Search for road rage incidents in Bengaluru on platforms like Reddit or X, and you will find an endless stream of posts detailing aggressive altercations, viral videos, and tragic outcomes.
From minor scratches escalating into viral confrontations to full-blown car chases, road rage has become a distressing part of daily commutes in Bengaluru.
In one tragic case, a young man named Mahesh lost his life after his motorcycle brushed past a car. The driver, enraged by the minor collision, chased down the biker and fatally struck him.
Another Road Rage in Bengaluru; Biker Dies After Car Driver Chases and Hits Him.
Incident occurred in Vidyaranyapura last night when a minor collision between a biker and a car escalated into road rage. pic.twitter.com/oZFldLEz1x— Elezabeth Kurian (@ElezabethKurian) August 22, 2024
In another incident, a biker who, under the influence of alcohol, shattered a car’s windshield leaving the family inside traumatised.
There are also cases of rage where an auto driver hurled abuses at a passenger and landed in trouble. In another incident a woman alleged that she was threatened of rape following a road rage incident. These events, coupled with a growing inumber of viral dashcam videos capturing road rage across the city, have raised serious concerns among citizens.
Scary! From Bengaluru! Apparently, a drunk driver did violent alteraction with a family in car.. broke windshield while a small kid was injured inside the car.. the biker was taken in police custody.. pic.twitter.com/RR7heMXWtq
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) August 20, 2024
Bengaluru police have also campaigned against road rage and have created awareness videos on how road rage can get one in trouble. One such message says, “Road rage is like adding hot sauce to an already spicy situation–it only makes things hotter and messier! Stay cool and drive on!”
South First spoke to several stakeholders including residents of the city, police and psychologists to understand why there is an increase in road rage cases or even rage in general.
According to Sreenidhi R, a software engineer speaking to South First, says, “The pandemic forced many of us to work from home, but now everyone is back on the roads. Over the past two or three years, the number of vehicles has exploded, and something seems off with people’s emotions post-Covid. Stress levels are skyrocketing, making it harder to stay calm. When you combine that with poor road conditions, pollution, and the chaos on the streets, tempers are bound to flare.”
Adding to this, Rachita Venkataraman, a marketing professional says, “Before Covid, commuting was frustrating, but now it’s unbearable. The traffic and constant noise are making people more irritable. You can feel the tension rising, especially when everyone’s rushing to make up for lost time. I feel people coming to Bengaluru for jobs has increased multifold.”
Attributing the increase in rage incidents to social media and giving up the quality of patience in people Sharief Khan, an IT consultant says, “It feels like people’s patience has worn thin. Whether it’s in traffic or even at grocery stores, people are snapping more easily. The combination of stress from work, fear of another outbreak, and daily frustrations like bad roads is fueling this anger.”
“In many cases, social media is fuelling the frustrations by bringing in divide amongst every possible issue – be it language, north vs south, caste issues etc. Videos that get viral can play on one’s mind and force a person to react in a particular way,” he feels.
While police agree that the ever-increasing traffic, long hours spent in gridlocks, and the pressures of urban living are key contributors to road rage in Bengaluru. As the roads get more congested, a senior police officer told South First, “Drivers become more impatient, with tempers flaring at the slightest inconvenience. The stress of navigating through chaotic traffic often leads to aggressive behaviours that might otherwise remain suppressed.”
The Hindu in a recent report cited a private survey which found that the foremost trigger of anxiety among car owners in Bengaluru. 57 percent of the 22,000 car owners surveyed in the city revealed that they have experienced some sort of road rage in the last six months.
Interestingly, a study by researchers from Jain University, published in the International Journal For Research looking into “an overview of the effect of rising traffic and congestion in Bangalore on the lives of the general public” found that dragged commute times due to business traffic not only led to dropped productivity but also affected fiscal losses for individuals and businesses. The stress and frustration elevated situations of cortisol, cardiovascular problems, and an advanced prevalence of anxiety and depression, also, the poor air quality performed by vehicular emigrations poses serious respiratory health pitfalls for the public.
Another study by Indian researchers also found that honking, overtaking from the wrong side, loud music in other cars and hot and humid climates increased the risk of experiencing anger among high-angry drivers.
Mental health professional, CEO, Flourish Lifeschool Dr Ashvini NV reasons that road rage usually occurs due to a combination of psychological, and situational factors. It is most likely to stem from stress due to time constraints, personal problems, and work pressure, she explains.
“Many instances of road rage can also arise when a driver feels that another person has disrespected them by cutting off, tailgating or honking at unnecessarily. This sense of personal affront can provoke an emotional reaction causing road rage,” Dr Ashvini adds.
Citing external factors like heat, traffic and noise to be some of the other reasons that can heighten irritation and frustration, Dr Ashvini says when all this, fatigue and substance are added, then these factors can make conflicts more likely on the road.
“Cultural norms that tolerate aggressive driving or fetch views from others when aggression is displayed on the road can also encourage road rage. The sense of power and thrill that comes with driving can at times lower inhibitions as well, leading drivers to act out their aggression more openly than they might in other settings,” explains Dr Asvini.
Mental health experts and medical doctors explain that experiencing frequent episodes of road rage may indicate deeper emotional struggles. Dr Ashvini says, “The constant tension and aggression on the road can also contribute to worsening of an individual’s overall mental well being. Therefore, we can understand this as a cycle.”
She opines that uncontrolled emotions while riding a bike or driving a four-wheeler can spill into other activities in daily life. Having a nasty fight on the road and reaching the office late, and pre-existing mental health challenges can make an individual prone to experiencing road rage.
A study published in the Journal of The American Heart Association in May 2024 found that anger is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. It found that impairment of blood vessel function during anger can lead to heart attack and stroke as well.
Speaking to South First, Dr Preeti M Galagali, Founder of Bangalore Adolescent Care and Counselling Centre says, “When speaking to young people, I emphasise the importance of following traffic rules. I strongly discourage those under 18 from driving because their brains are still highly emotional and impulsive. The cerebellum, which is responsible for motor coordination, doesn’t fully mature until after 19. That’s why it’s crucial for them to stay off the road until they’re ready.”
“For older children and young adults, I continue to stress the need to follow traffic rules, but I also remind them that some things are beyond their control—such as how others behave on the road. If someone breaks the rules, damages your vehicle, or obstructs your way, it’s important to stay calm. Don’t react emotionally—respond thoughtfully. If possible, take down the vehicle number, but don’t panic if you miss it.”
“I advise them to avoid confrontation. If a police officer is nearby, report the incident calmly. If the damage is minor, try to handle it responsibly and, if needed, visit the police station in a civil manner. In situations where someone brushes past and moves on, having the presence of mind to note the vehicle number is helpful.”
Doctors say that in such stressful traffic situations, it is recommended to practice abdominal breathing to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the body. You can do this deep breathing exercise while waiting at traffic signals. Inhale deeply so that your abdomen rises, and exhale, allowing it to sink in. This will keep you relaxed while waiting at signals and prevent you from getting overwhelmed by the traffic chaos.
Dr Ashvini lists some tips to prevent and address road rage. She uses the acronym CALM for the same. She says:
The CALM method could help in reducing road rage.
C: Compose Yourself: One can take slow and deep breaths to ease tension.
Count numbers up to 10 or 20 to cool down.
This can help prevent an immediate emotional reaction.
A: Assess and adjust your mindset: Ask yourself if an emotional outbursts will change the situation on the road for the better. It mostly won’t improve your situation instead will worsen. So, don’t impulsively react.
L: Let go: Don’t let irritations and annoyances on the road get out of hand.
Listen to mild music or distract yourself with positive thoughts, and let go of your urge to be emotionally reactive on the road.
M: Make space: Be mindful that everybody is going through their own battles. They may have similar frustrations as us today. Physically and emotionally maintain distance from aggressive riders/drivers on the road.
Meanwhile, doctors say that planning ahead will help, “If you know the roads will be busy, leave a bit earlier to avoid frustration,”
How to get out of a situation of road rage? Bengaluru police say:
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Keep Calm
Avoid arguing with the other person
Bengaluru police advice motorists to stay calm.
If you are in a car stay inside, lock the doors and roll up the windows
If on a two-wheeler, park it on the side, in a safe area and look for support.
Do not make any rude gestures or comments that may escalate the situation.
Take note of the vehicle’s details, such as the number plate and other identifying features
Contact the emergency helpline at Namma 112 and provide them with information about the incident
Avoid traffic disruption and take photos of the incident or the vehicle involved
When the police arrive, provide your account of what happened and allow the other person to share their perspective
Allow law enforcement to take over from there
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
