Appropriate form of punishment for road bullies

Incidences of road bullying have increased tremendously in Malaysia. What do you think is the appropriate form of punishment for road bullies?

ROAD bullying was almost unheard of a decade ago. However, of late, it is beginning to be accepted as a part of our culture as we are fed with more and more cases of road bullying, each manifesting aggressiveness of various degrees. Road bullying or road rage is the extreme case of aggressive driving which often ends with serious injuries or even fatalities.
I believe it’s not an exaggeration to say that the bullies are becoming more creative in the display of their displeasure. It might seem surprising that these road bullies are mostly educated, with a decent job living a normal lifestyle. 

Road rage can have dire consequences, physical abuse and fatal accidents among them. The perpetrator as well as the victim in most cases end up with feelings ranging from insecurity to chronic depression which can be life-long. Though many are fully aware of it and the consequences of their action, road bullying is still rampant and one wonders why. Road-rage bullies can be categorised into two main groups, the first being those with zero tolerance towards other road users and are irked by the slightest mistakes made by fellow drivers and the second are those who act as masters of the road and expect everyone to tolerate and obey them without question. Both groups are equally threatening, as their displeasure is often manifested in acts of violence and at times, fatalities. Try following them a little closer and you may end up paying for the damage you never intended to cause. Try giving a stare to show your displeasure and be ready to encounter members of road rage club, armed with steering locks and a colourful vocabulary heading towards you with a specific finger raised.

What’s more shocking is people who usually appear calm and composed take an entirely different role behind the wheel. Though some argue that road rage is a medical condition with the behaviour of drivers associated with the result of intermittent explosive disorder (IED), it looks more like a psychological condition, judging from the cases we are presented with. I believe that road rage perpetrators are mere selfish individuals who are not perturbed by the nuisance they cause to the public.

A serious study needs to be carried out and analysis done to identify the causes and reasons behind road rage which in most cases are triggered by the least significant and the most absurd reason possible. In some countries, road rage is an extremely serious act. “Any person who chases another motorist or shows intimidating and/or bullying towards another road user can be charged with predatory driving, a serious offence that can leave the culprit in jail for up to five years. Offenders can also be fined and disqualified from driving, regardless of whether or not he or she intended to harm the victim physically”.

Whatever the reason, the road bully has no total rights over use of the roads and definitely has no right causing harm to others. Their actions have to be punished by law in order to ensure the safety of other users. A road bully must be punished by a jail term or fine or both. Although this punishment sounds harsh, it will act as a deterrent to other road bullies on the road. The length of the jail term will be determined by the level of aggressiveness shown by the road bully. Compulsory counseling for the road bully should also be enforced. Where the actions of the road bully do not harm any individual and appear mild, counseling can help and prevent road rage from escalating into a deeper problem. Their driving licences should be confiscated and the road bully be forced to attend driving lessons all over again in order to obtain a new licence.

Maybe it’s about time we change our perception on road rage and prevent more innocent road users from falling prey to the bullies. Let’s not be silent witnesses of tragedies. While the experts do their part in deciding whether it’s a medical or psychological condition and finds an antidote, let us do our bit by being courteous while on road and avoid being on either end of the whole issue, neither bully nor victim.