Hello Mi Neighbour | The satanic and the angelic road users

Hello, mi neighbour! Miss Martha says that the two main categories of road users are the "satanic and the angelic". The angelic drive with other users in mind. They start their journey with a travel plan: a mapped route and allotted time for the journey. They exercise good judgement, helpfulness and understanding, and they refuse to be bullied into breaking the road rules.

The satanic are a rapidly growing mayhem-causing group which abides by its own rules and challenges others to follow suit. Ringleaders, like some taxi operators, behave as though they would issue tickets for proper road use. Well, well.

This unneighbourly behaviour is behind much of the aggression and road rage witnessed on the roadways today.

Road rage is defined as a "motorist's uncontrolled anger that is usually provoked by another motorist's irritating act and is expressed in aggressive or violent behaviour". Apart from shouts, rude gestures, and threats, road ragers will get out of the vehicle and physically assault other drivers. And we know the usual outcome!

And before throwing stones, consider this: if you drive over the speed limit, disobey traffic signs (because you are in a hurry), signal slower-moving vehicles to drive up, honk the horn often, or use obscene gestures to communicate your anger at other motorists, you are at stage-two road rage.

If you are innocent of all the above, don't jump. You are not yet off the hook. You could be inciting road rage if while driving, you gaze, frequently use your phone, keep on your high beam despite oncoming traffic, or switch lanes and make turns without indicating your intention.

CAUSE OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS

The following statistics, compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - United States, show that aggressive driving and road rage are causing serious problems on the roadways:

- 66 per cent of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving.

- 37 per cent of aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm.

- Half the number of drivers on the receiving end of an aggressive behaviour respond with aggression themselves.

Here's wisdom: If you have agitated another driver, whether or not you are at fault, it is recommended that you do not react or retaliate. This could worsen the situation. Tell yourself that the other driver is having a bad day and is under a lot of stress.

Unfortunately, road rage may be here for a while longer. As a road user, follow the rules of the road. Do not give in to feelings in the heat of the moment, and remember that getting to your destination safely is of more importance than 'casting your pearls before hogs'.

Until next time, enjoy the ride, and remember a needy neighbour from list below.

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP

- Neighbour - Asking for a sewing machine. unemployed; needs it urgently.

- Stacey, Kingston - Unemployed, asking for a small table and a bed for her son, who is mentally challenged. Also asking neighbours to pray for her.

- Ethlyn - Got burnt out in 2006 and has been trying to get help to rebuild from that time until now without any success. Appealing to neighbours for help! Sick mother lives with her.

- Karen - Mother of seven in need of a table and a refrigerator.

- Vivienne, St Ann - Asking for a gas stove.

- Jaculine, Portland - Asking for a dining table and a television; would truly appreciate them.

- Mrs Laing, Clarendon - Asking for stove and food items.

- Neighbour - No money to purchase food and send children to school; asking for neighbours' help.

- Neighbour - Mother of four has met upon tough times; children's father is not well. Needs help to start a little home-based business; bag juice, biscuits, etc.

THANKS TO DONORS

1. Alona, Westmoreland, for clothing and slippers.

2. Ms Robinson, St James, for offering clothing.

3. Neighbour, for offering a dining table.

4. Eloise, for giving a wheelchair to a neighbour.

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 334-8165, 884-3866, or deposit to acct # 351 044 276 NCB (Bank routing #: JNCBJMKX) or send donations to HELLO NEIGHBOUR C/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10; Paypal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Or contact e-mail helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Mr Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.