'Road Rage' simmers in Fallbrook

You’ve seen it, I’ve seen it and the CHP has definitely seen it. Fallbrook is no stranger to the increasing problem of “road rage” – where a driver purposefully or inadvertently ignites anger in another driver, leading to rude gestures, verbal reprimands and dangerous driving. Combine that with the Fallbrook area’s narrow, winding roads and you have a recipe for disaster.

“It’s a growing problem,” CHP Spokesperson Tom Kearns said. “We deal with it many times each and every day.” While road rage incidences in Fallbrook have not led to violent scenes such as homicide or other brutal assaults, they have included verbal assault and displays of irresponsible driving.

While many may assume those most likely to perpetrate road rage are hot-blooded young adult males, Kearns said there are primarily two age groups responsible for most of these incidents: young adult males and mature adults, age 55 and older. “It seems to be a problem at both ends of the spectrum,” Kearns said. “It relates to a lack of patience and, in some cases, anger issues.”

Kearns says the roadways here are no stranger to animosity. “The two main arteries into Fallbrook are comprised, for the most part, of two-lane roads,” he said. “It occurs quite frequently that a vehicle is moving slower than the speed limit and it angers drivers traveling behind them.” Kearns said that’s when poor, snap decisions are made in anger.

“You see the cars and motorcycles zoom around them, passing them illegally, either over the center line or on the right shoulder,” he said. “That is a lack of patience and it puts everyone in danger.” Kearns said Highway 76 and Mission Road carry more incidences of road rage and its associated erratic driving than other local roadways.

“How many times have you been on one of those roads and had someone swerve around you with their engine at full throttle and make an illegal pass?” he asked.

On the roadways near Ontario, CA, road rage has a more violent face. Brad Kaylor of the Ontario Police Department said, “My personal opinion is that people have become desensitized to violence.” Kaylor said of Interstates 10 and 60 and Highway 91, “It is the 60 that is, by far, the most prone to violent acts as a result of road rage.”

Kaylor said his department just handled a double homicide as a result of one road rage incident.

“This problem just continues to get worse with time,” he said.

Kearns says educating people in how not to engage in confrontations with other drivers is critical to try and reduce road rage in our society.

“We try to instruct people not to engage in confrontations with other drivers,” Kerns said. “Allow enough time for your journey when going somewhere, be a courteous driver and drive the speed limit.” Kerns said individuals driving too slow on roadways can create a danger just like those who go too fast for weather and road conditions.

If you find yourself a victim of road rage, Kerns says to write down the license number of the other vehicle and call 9-1-1, but do not engage in a confrontation of any type with the enraged driver.

“We investigate these matters all the time,” he said. “The last thing we want people to do is to confront an angry driver. That’s where people get hurt.”

Under Vehicle Code Section 13210, Kerns said the court can suspend the driving privilege of any operator of a motor vehicle who commits an assault on a highway, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 245 of the Penal Code.

“The suspension period authorized under this section for an assault commonly known as ‘road rage’ shall be six months for a first offense and one year for a second or subsequent offense,” the code reads. “The court may, in lieu of or in addition to the driving privilege suspension, order a person convicted under this section to complete a court-approved anger management or ‘road rage’ course.”

Take the Road Rage test

How does your road rage rate? Check off all that apply and look below for your Road Rage profile.

_ Mentally condemn other drivers

_ Verbally abuse other drivers to another passenger in your car

_ Glare at another driver

_ Not allowing someone to enter your lane

_ Don’t let a driver pass

_ Inappropriate speed passing another car

_ Revving your engine when mad

_ Tailgate a slower car

_ Honking at a car in protest

_ Yelling at another driver

_ Making a sudden threatening maneuver

_ Cutting someone off in anger

_ Fantasizing physical violence to another driver

_ Making an obscene gesture

_ Getting out of your car and using verbal abuse

_ Going in pursuit of another car

_ Bumping a car in anger

_ Running a car off the road

_ Carry a weapon in your car

_ Run someone over

_ Get into a physical fight

_ Shoot at another car

_ Kill someone

Compare the number that you checked off to the range of numbers below to find your road rage profile.

1-4 points: You are an unfriendly driver who commits mental and verbal acts of unkindness. Use positive thought and take care of any physical impairment in your body, such as illness, pain or backache that may be causing you to feel out of sorts.

4-8 points: You are a hostile driver who visibly communicates displeasure. Remember, all people make mistakes. In fact, there is a four- to ten-percent average chance of mistake for any human activity. So lighten up and acquire a supportive driving philosophy!

9-15 points: You are a violent driver who carries out your hostility. Practice safe driving and try acting out situations in a positive way. Don’t challenge or make eye contact with aggressive drivers, just avoid them and report them to your traffic authorities.

16-19 points: You are an contained Road Rage driver. Reduce the stress in your daily life through exercise, meditation, music, self-hypnosis, stress management classes, reading or hobbies. Make sure you eat properly, take the right vitamins and supplements and get enough rest.

20-24 points: You are an uncontained Road Rage driver. Get immediate psychological help. Don’t pass go! Prison food and/or a straitjacket are not pleasant.

Aggressive Driving Assessment

Scale definition: A-Always, B-Often, C-Sometimes, D-Never

Do you ever:

1. Get angry with slow drivers?.........................................

2. Get angry when someone cuts you off?.......................

3. Get angry at traffic jams?..............................................

4. Compete with other drivers?.........................................

5. Always try to be first at intersection?.............................

6. Find yourself “pushing” other drivers because they are

bad drivers?...................................................................

7. Weave in and out of traffic?...........................................

8. Yell at other drivers?......................................................

9. Make gestures?.............................................................

10. Speed up when someone tries to pass you? ...............

11. Block cars trying to change lanes? ..............................

12. Tailgate people who are going slower than you?..........

13. Brake suddenly to punish a tailgater?...........................

14. Use high beams or horn to punish bad drivers?...........

Determine your score by totaling the points for each question, then find out what kind of driver you are on the scale below:

Score: A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 D = 1

42-56 points: You may be an aggressive driver. Remember the rules of the road. Don’t take the actions of other drivers personally. Take note of your own habits and behaviors behind the wheel. Do your best to make changes and become a safe and courteous driver. Remember, you’re setting an example.

28-41 points: At times you can be an aggressive driver. Be careful to not let the traffic congestion or actions of others “get on your nerves.” Do your best to remember the rules of the road. Try giving yourself more time to get to your destination. Practice being a safe and courteous driver.

14-27 points: Most of the time, you are a safe and courteous driver. You may occasionally let the traffic “get to you.” Don’t take the actions of other motorists personally. Try to give yourself a little extra time to reach your destination. Remember, you are a safe and courteous driver.

0-13 points: You are a “Joe Cool Commuter.” You are polite and don’t take the actions of other discourteous drivers personally. You set an excellent example for others. Keep up the good work!