FIVE CAUSES OF ROAD WRATH

On the year I turned 17, I finally achieved one of my life-long dreams: to own a driver’s license. I’ve always wanted to drive because I was always fascinated with cars. I even dream of being a drag racer someday. I’m younger than most of my friends, so I was a bit behind with getting my license. When I finally had it, I took ten hours of driving lessons in A1 and my Dad bought me my first car, a cherry red Vios that he only let me use when I’m with my driver. Finally, after months and months of practice, my Dad finally gave in in letting me drive to school (as long as I don’t go home late) or anywhere I want to go. He also got me a new car, a white Suzuki Swift that I named Drew, that I still love and own right now.

I have always loved cars, or driving for that matter. I love clear roads and I even enjoy cruising smoothly down on highways while hitting a 180kph. But I live in Manila. In Manila, there’s a lot of traffic jams and smoke-belching vehicles that makes me extremely irritated.

Here are some things that makes me explode with wrath when I’m on the road:

1. Jeepney drivers.

This is the number one reason why I despise driving sometimes. You know, jeepney drivers who stop in the middle of the road and those who swerve from left to right without bothering to look in their side mirrors. 

I know that they’re just trying to make a living but I hope they drive decent enough to avoid causing accidents.

2. People who ride the jeepney anywhere.

Seriously, guys? We have what we call jeepney stops. You can’t ride the jeepney in the middle of a flyover or in a highway. I just think that if it weren’t for this people, jeepneys wouldn’t stop in the inconvenient spots on the road. If people were only a little more disciplined, driving would be less horrible.

3. Inconsiderate pedestrians.

Whenever there’s an accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, I will bet all my money in my wallet that most of the time it’s the fault of the pedestrian. And that’s why I really find it unfair for those vehicle owners who gets liable when an accident occurs. When I’m driving, my worst feeling is having to slam on my brakes when I’m hitting a 160kph on a highway just because some imbecile crosses the street at the last minute. It’s is so pressuring! Can’t you walk a few meters and just use the skywalk or footbridge instead?

4. Potholes.

I feel bad for those who drive to work. The government takes away a part of their salary that goes to our country’s tax and then you drive home and pass a huge deep natural underground cavity? And you wonder, where the hell are your taxes going? Jeez, government. Where are your priorities?

5. Motorcyclists.

Oh, those pests who just zigzag anywhere on the road because their size permits it. They’re a big disturbance on the road! Also, not to mention it is very dangerous, but some people don’t wear their helmets. And sometimes, they even let a kid ride! I’m the one getting stressed worrying about those people. Just, please! Do us both a favor by not stressing me out and staying safe.

So for those youngsters who doesn’t own their license yet, well, you’ll get there! Sometimes it’s not so fun being the family driver or your yaya waking you up early in the morning and disrupting your sleep just to drive your siblings to school just because the driver’s not yet around. But, don’t get too unenthusiastic about it either. I find so much joy in driving! I feel fulfilled that I get to control where I go for the moment, even more fulfilled when I get to drive somewhere far.

But you know, these rage-causing street problems are unescapable. Something I learned: Don’t panic or don’t let it get the best of you. Let’s just hope that those officials who are supposed to be in charge with these problems start working on something.