Rage Cruises the Highways

Fans of Steven Spielberg’s earliest directorial efforts will recall the frightening scenario of the TV drama “Duel,” with Dennis Weaver as a motorist terrorized by a trucker who doesn’t need a reason to try to run him off the road.

Well, low life is not far from imitating art on today’s highways. In recent months, the National Transportation Safety Board, the American Automobile Assn. and others have chronicled a steady increase in aggressive driving since 1990. The record: 218 killed and 12,610 injured in so-called “road rage” incidents. The smallest of perceived slights, such as the honking of a horn or loud music, can trigger the mayhem.

What’s going on? Experts offer any number of sociological reasons, not the least of which is the growing frustration with ever worsening traffic and staggering commute times. Many of the perpetrators are young men with a history of criminal and/or violent behavior and substance abuse, but some others are otherwise normal professional people with no record of uncontrollable anger.

If threatened, don’t retaliate, don’t make eye contact, and carefully change lanes at the first chance. If you are followed, drive to a police or fire station. It’s gotten crazy out there, and the best thing to do is ignore the provocation and not respond at all.