The Deadly Sin of Rage: Road Rage

 Within the past week, I have been a victim of road rage.  Both occasions, I was driving on the highway, with my mother and son in the car.  I don’t like calling myself a “victim” but I want to be clear in my role in the raging, as the target.  Thanks be to God, the passengers in the car and I were not injured and besides feeling my blood pressure raise to alarmingly high levels, I was able to keep my cool and just focus on Proverbs 29:11 "Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end."   My priority was getting us away from the road ragers as soon as possible. 

In these two recent occasions, the other drivers both showed frightening and disheartening disregard for not only me and my passengers, but also for other vehicles on the road.   What I experienced was the ragers cutting cars off, swearing, waving obscenities, beeping and narrowly missing my car and other vehicles while passing.

These hateful acts of have absolutely no place on the roadway. 
 
Not only is road rage completely useless but it can be deadly.  I have heard too many stories of people engaging in road rage in one form or the other and ending up badly injured or worse, dead. It is not worth it and there is absolutely no excuse to engage in road rage no matter who started it.  End of story.
 
On the road is someone’s mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, daughter, son, brother, sister, wife, husband, niece, nephew, grandson, granddaughter, aunt, uncle, friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, friend, co-worker, neighbor, Priest, etcetra.  Even if they are driving in a way you don’t agree with, ignore it and safely move away from them.  Even if they provoke you and are raging, ignore it and safely move away from them.   If they are driving so erratically, of course get their plate information and notify the police so that they don’t injure themselves or others.  But seriously, raging does nothing good.  Some will argue that it makes you feel good, but remember, the devil loves when we are angry and engage in the deadly sin of: rage.
 
 “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)
 
Since having my child, I have become much more cautious while driving and try to be as safe as possible.  Of course, there are situations where I am unable to control the behavior of other drivers on the road.   We’ve all been there when someone cuts us off, or is driving too slow, or forgets to use their directional, or passes too close.  While I am not claiming to be a perfect driver or someone who has never lost their temper behind the wheel, I am just saying that raging is never worth it.    Instead, in these instances, I try to remind myself that the other driver may be going through something that is causing them to drive this way. 
 
Think of Others
 
Perhaps they just received news that their loved one was sick, or dying or in the hospital.  Perhaps they had one too many iced teas and have to go to the bathroom really bad.  Perhaps they forgot their Rosary in Adoration and are rushing back to retrieve it.  Or perhaps they are just having a bad day (or week or month) and instead of you cursing at them and making it worse, they would be better off in the long road if you prayed for them, right then when they need it most.
 
These two instances in which I was the target of road rage, instead of adding more fuel to the fire, I looked straight ahead, took a few deep breaths and prayed for them.  I’ve found that saying a Hail Mary instead of raging and asking the Blessed Mother to help cool my jets works wonders.   I also love to say the Rosary while driving to not only pass the time, but to help keep me focused, safe and calm.   (Please note that I took the photo to the left when my husband was driving and I was the passenger.)
 
Do you have any methods of staying calm during a road rage incident?  Please share on Facebook.  
 
As always, thank you for reading.  God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always! (Especially on the road!)

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