Road rage, regrets and thoughts!

I see one solution to this, work on your fitness/body. It will help in two ways -

1. Give you confidence by making stronger
2. Will add patience, calmness (Weightlifting)

I have been bullied at times in my childhood when I couldn’t get back to them as I always felt that I am weak and timid. When such incidents happen, at time those childhood memories trigger and I just can't keep myself from getting angry / fighting back. I have heard / read multiple events on how road rages can get escalated and I am scared that I might again not be able to stay calm in such situations and react aggressively and open bigger troubles for myself.

How can one deal with this, really?

My opinion:

1. Always try to avoid road rage no matter what. If your vehicle is damaged, insurance is gonna cover it mostly, and if not also it’s fine, a few bucks for repair ain’t gonna make you broke. I understand that it all happened within a few seconds, but always try to remain calm. You never know who the opposite party might be. You benefit nothing from the road rage. A Rapido wala is not gonna pay you for damages anyways.
2. As some ppl have already suggested, try working on your body. Trust me, it gives you immense confidence. Not just during road rage, but this confidence comes in handy during all walks of life.
3. In unavoidable cases wherein the opposite person has initiated a road rage, don’t get scared. If they shout at you and hit you, don’t get all defensive. Assert your dominance as well. Road rage ain’t about who’s more stronger, chances are the opposite person is not some bodybuilder. Don’t let them bully you, if they hit you twice, give at least one back. Again only on unavoidable circumstances 😅

Road rage is very common in India. If you have a car, I would suggest buying a dash cam. Insure your vehicles with the best insurance policies. Always wear a helmet while riding.

Get into boxing or MMA. Helps you control fight or flight response. Helps to be buff, people don't mess with you.

Strong people always run away from confrontational situations like this.

So next time please forgive and forget and run away.

I was driving on my bike along with a pillion. This was around Dusshera I think, we were driving on golf course road in gurgaon, suddenly a tattered i20 comes like an inch close to my bike and just missed hitting me.

No problems guessing he was driving drunk, I was pissed as fuck and drove as fast as possible like you did and told him to drive in his senses. He started abusing and I calmly moved my bike ahead.

The drunkard then tries to crash into every vehicle ahead and stops in front of me. And he starts getting close to the pillion, I kept telling him 'Dekh ke chala le' and he kept saying some gibberish.

I then stood up and he really understood that i wasn't kidding and would thrash him if needed. He went quiet and then i calmly moved my bike ahead.

In hindsight, I should've called the police then and there. But I do have a lot of trust issues with the police. One part of me still regrets not getting him caught but life goes on!

Well, had you hit him and he is still on his feet you'll still feel bad, if he is knocked out, you are fucked due to the assault + FIR. The point is even if you win that fight, you lose. Nothing to gain here, only illiterate hooligans derive pleasure out of road rage/fights.

Watch nocturnal animals, you will never mess on the road again. Always run, no mater how buffed you are, if the other vehicle has 4 guys in it, u r fucked and all it takes is a single puch to fall from 6ft on a flat concrete to break ur neck.

Quite honestly not worth it. You engage in it your day will be ruined as it is now. Instead assume that the guy wanted to take a big shit and hence his hurry so that will calm you down. If someone confronts you just stand your ground or call the cops but don't engage. I used to engage in road rage myself but figured out it's not worth the risk of getting followed, stabbed (perhaps if the guy is some psycho dumbass) or just having my day ruined. For others recommending weight lifting I'll add it on here plus pick up self defence and some mma or boxing as it also teaches you self control and discipline.

Talking from personal experience

Hey buddy, these thoughts won't be residing within you for long. Have been in 2 road rahes so far, both on my car - accidents, both being the other person's fault.

I've lost my shit in both the cases and abused the shit out of them and been to the police station. Won both, but my mental peace was lost for days.

There'll always be morons on the road. I live in Bangalore right now, and unless the chapri doesn't damage my vehicle I just give a finger/ a look, and imagine a slow and painful death to them (got dark, I know, but these chapris are just Bhoj on our Dharthi). This somehow helps me calm down.

Moral- When you face shit like this - take your time, try to calm down, don't react way over what you shouldn't. If there was harm, note down the number plate, police is one call away.

Ps: someone who's also been bullied quite a lot while in school.