EDITORIAL - Penalizing “road rage”

It has become more common nowadays; incidents of people losing their cool and even getting violent over traffic altercations no matter how minor. Many of these incidents have even been filmed and made their rounds in social media.

Technically this isn’t a new thing, getting angry over something that happened on the road. However, such incidents are becoming more and more commonplace because of the increasingly difficult traffic conditions in major cities across the country and the fact that vehicles of all kinds are becoming more affordable.

We also have to consider the fact that many aren’t familiar with traffic rules or just don’t respect them or others on the road.

Following a series of road rage incidents that have gone viral, a senator is now proposing setting stiffer penalties for what is now called road rage.

“Do we need to impose higher penalties on this road rage because it is already increasing? We can craft legislation. Knowing that the penalties and fines are more severe acts for road rage, he (motorists) will think twice,” said Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito.

Let’s be clear on this first; road rage itself isn’t a crime. Being angry and venting isn’t a crime. It’s what happens as a result of road rage --whether alarm, scandal, injury, threats, or even death-- that is a crime.

So what exactly does Ejercito want “stiffened” here?

If Ejercito means more punishment for something injurious arising from a road rage then we agree, because there are people out there who really feel entitled enough to hurt others without regard to consequences. Like that SUV driver who ran over a mall guard who tried to stop him for a traffic violation or that ex-cop who struck a cyclist and threatened him with a gun.

But while stiffer penalties might deter some people, not all might be deterred. Because if we are talking about just more fines here then that would be just fine with those who can afford it. And if we are talking about jail time we have seen the rich and influential get away with breaking the rules, or at least being allowed some leeway.

If they want to single out and penalize acts resulting from road rage it should be such that it makes people think twice about impulsively acting on their anger.