Traffic Safety Expo 2012 advises drivers to keep calm and avoid road rage

The aim of the Ministry of Transport and Communication 'MoTC' to improve the existing road network in Oman, warrants a lot of construction activities doing the rounds, which leads to additional traffic jams, road blocks and invariably road rage.

Such behaviour may include rude gestures, verbal abuses or unsafe driving methods like tailgating, cutting vehicles, speeding, excessive light flashing/horn blowing, chasing/hitting other vehicles, physically assaulting other drivers, throwing projectiles from within the vehicle with the intent of damaging another vehicle etc. Although different from aggressive driving it may be considered an extreme form of aggressive driving.

"We cannot control the actions of other drivers around us but we can control the way we react to a certain situation. It is difficult not to get enraged at reckless behaviours displayed by other drivers especially when you are doing your best to remain cautious on the road. Stay alert and keep calm and don't let your ego get the better of you. If you give in to road rage, you give cause to other people to give in to the same. And if everyone gives in to road rage, then the affair is bound to be a very noisy one, that would cultivate nothing but ill will and bad health, hardly the qualities one needs to exhibit while on the road," said Mr. Alawi Almurazza, Traffic Safety Expo 2012.

In order to avoid road rage plan your schedule ahead of time to allow for delays, maintain alertness while driving, keep your vehicle at a safe distance from other vehicles, listen to soothing music, carefully review any situation instead of giving vent to anger and the most important step of all-let the situation go.

As long as you have managed the situation and driven in a manner worthy of five stars, congratulate yourself for being the driver the other person could not be instead of ranting and abusing the other person for being the reckless driver that you aren't.

Organised by Oman International Trade and Exhibitions 'OITE' in coordination with the Royal Oman Police 'ROP', the Traffic Safety Expo 2012 will serve as a platform for spreading traffic safety awareness and encouraging individuals to take up safe driving habits, so as to reduce the increasing rates of accidents in the country.