Surviving road rage

In contrast to children waiting to be old enough to feel ways about stuff, I waited for my driving licence for as long as I can remember (and to own a gun but that's not happening, I suppose). However, although I am eligible to apply for one now, I haven't lifted a finger to go through the process. The reason for such apparent blasphemy, as it would seem to a ten year old me, is neither laziness nor the fact that I am reluctant to do anything that involves being in close proximity with unfamiliar people. I don't like driving anymore. In fact, unless I am asked to play chauffeur for family errands, I don't drive at all. This is because road rage and driving had become inseparable over the years. Weighing the enjoyment of driving against the possibility of being pissed off all day, I pass on the former. At every corner of the street, there is someone or the other who has made an utterly daft move, or not moved at all, causing a disturbance which, in turn, ruins the affected people's days entirely. It is quite normal for a person who has driven in Dhaka streets to be affected by anger issues caused by it.
Seneca, a Roman philosopher, stated, "Anger arises due to irrational ideas held about the world." We expect people to behave rationally. We expect the hobo to not jump in front of our cars and the indecisive driver to not block the left lane with the right indicator turned on. Although it is only fair to expect people to be non-suicidal, more often than not, they do run across the roads at their will, as if they are suddenly being chased by a space gorilla in a hippie hat waving a giant wrench. So, on what basis or statistics do we really expect them to behave?
The solution to road rage--or anger in general, at that - may be simplified into one little step: stop expecting. Think of people as complete idiots. Every single one of them. Then, when even a single car uses its indicators on a turn, it is a bonus. One may argue how this philosophy is that of a defeatist, but consider it this way: if you train yourself to manoeuvre your car out of the sticky situations, you're the one levelling up with new skills and being able to keep your temper in check and, subsequently, not taking it out on someone else. Idiot drivers and pedestrians are out of your circle of influence and simply wishing they would act sensible has not made any change in the history of this country so far.
As a matter of fact, if a significant proportion of people start thinking this way and take it upon themselves to be extra-careful in the streets taking precautions against the horde of idiocy on the streets, it might just be safer on a larger scale for everyone to drive.
The writer is a young university student who knows more about valve angles and camshaft tolerances than we’re afraid to ask.