How to prevent road rage: Drivers say patience, knowledge of safety rules are important
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Road rage incidents can be prevented if patience and knowledge of traffic rules are observed by drivers when they are on the road.
This was what some motorists said in response to the October 2 road rage incident in Lapu-Lapu City involving a habal-habal driver and a taxi driver.
Joel Guardiario Apostol, 55, driver of a modern jeepney said that motorists should remember to have patience when driving.
Apostol said that as a driver, they learned this through seminars from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on basic road safety.
According to him, the LTFRB is constantly reminding drivers of the importance of patience when driving.
Patience is key to avoiding road rage
When there are instances where a motorist’s patience is tested, they should not immediately attack the opposing driver.
“Kay wa man ta kahibaw unsa’y sunod mahitabo kung mo-react ta. Maong atong buhaton gyud sa isigka-driver lang gyud [nga] tanang driver ma private man o publikong sakyanan, kinahanglan pasensyahay lang gyud,” Apostol said.
Apostol added that patience is important these days especially when the weather is hot and there are other factors that would test one’s patience while driving.
“Pahabaan imong pasensya basta naa ka’s karsada. Bisag kinsa nga driver, mao gyud na atong buhaton,” he said.
He added it would be best to stretch your patience to avoid road rage incidents.
Moreover, a driver of a traditional jeepney said that patience is really important.
Elias Abing, 36, said that motorists should also consider the possibility that a certain driver is going through something that would trigger an outburst.
Elias Abing, 36, driver of a traditional jeepney. | CDN File photo
“Naa gihapo’y uban nga bisag ge-seminar na, ang uban init gyud [ang ulo] di na gyud mada. Kung ikaw nga taas gyud ka og pasensya sa isigka driver nimo, malikayan gyud [ang away],” Abing said.
Know the traffic rules, keep your cool
Meanwhile, a habal-habal driver stressed the importance of just being cool especially when one is trapped in traffic congestion and under the heat of the sun.
Abe Ramos, 39, told CDN Digital that for more than 20 years of driving a motorcycle, he had witnessed several drivers who lost their patience on the road.
This is why attending seminars, especially on basic road safety from the LTFRB or the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is important because other motorists do not know the traffic rules, according to Ramos.
“Usa gyud na ang pinaka importante (ang seminar) para makahibaw ka sa rules and regulations diha sa dalan, especially sa mga signage ug kanang mga lines sa mga dalan,” Ramos said.
He added that knowing the traffic rules could help motorists avoid road rage and accidents on the road.
A driver’s license is but a privilege
Meanwhile, another habal-habal driver said that having a driver’s license is only a privilege than one should not brag about.
“Ang lisensya nato, pribilehiyo raman gud ni. Dili ta magpasigarbo aning karsada, kinahanglan naa ta’y paubos kay kining atong lisensya, pribilehiyo ra ni,” 35-year-old Gabriel Maestrado said.
Give way, share the road
Boy Dy, a 69-year-old taxi driver, added motorists should be careful when waiting for passengers.
While he admitted that he did not know the full story about the road rage incident, he said that sometimes, drivers should give way to the other drivers to avoid conflict on the road.
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