Maybe it’s the heat.  This past June has been one of the hottest months I can remember, with temperatures in the hundreds on a regular basis.  That’s Houston for you… a hunka-hunka burnin’ love with a smidge of oppressive humidity thrown in for giggles.  But on top of that, everyone seems to be on edge, ticked off, high strung and stressed out.  Like I said, maybe it’s the heat.

I’m the first to admit that I suffer from a bit of road rage every now and then.  I’ve been known to use the driving finger (third one from the left).  I’ve also had a history of dredging out some pretty colorful metaphors, all in an attempt to explain to passing motorists my immense displeasure at their choice of driving styles.  And sometimes their mothers.

But for the most part, I’m downright courteous on the road.  I use my signal, I usually don’t speed, I’m aware of the traffic around me.  The occasional slips in driving judgment probably bother me more than they tick off the drivers around me because, frankly, I’m just arrogant enough to be mad at myself because I should have known better.

But for the past week, I’ve noticed that there is an awful lot of road rage directed my way.   People are just mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.  Whatever “it” might be.  For the most part, it seems to be things they can’t control, like the pace of traffic or the missing of an exit.  And so I’ve been privy lately to a whole string of driving fingers, shaken heads, hands thrown up in frustration and even a couple of people just downright trying to run me off the road. 

What the heck causes this road rage stuff anyway?  There are actually studies on the subject, and it’s interesting stuff.   There’s a psychology at work here that it’s obvious most psychiatrists do not yet understand.  There are strange little facts emerging that tell an odd and interesting story.  For example, one study found that certain smells have an effect on road rage.  Oddly enough, the smell of fast food can trigger it, while the smell of coffee can actually calm it.  Vanilla is another calming scent helping the driver remain focused and peaceful while jasmine is actually a little TOO calming, causing more accidents and, vicariously, more road rage.

My personal feelings on the subject?  There are just too freakin’ many of us.  We can barely MOVE out there!  It’s like trying to drive through a herd of buffalo.  Everyone’s in a big hurry, no one’s going to the same place, and everybody thinks their plans are way more important than everyone else’s.  Which is just silly… because obviously MY plans are the most important of all.

Driving is such a solitary thing.  Even when there are people in the car with you, it’s still basically you against the world.  You have to be aware of other cars.  You have to monitor your speed.  You have to observe traffic and warning signs.  You have to navigate through a minefield of construction, road obstacles, parked cars, pedestrians…  With all of this responsibility on your shoulders it’s no wonder people snap and get outraged at the little things.  There’s so much to pay attention to when you’re driving, and one false move could kill you or someone else.  No wonder people start to think the world is out to get them.

So what do you do about it?  Pack up and move to Amish country?  Take up long distance running?  Move to the coast and drive a boat to work?  There are a lot of options, but frankly I just wouldn’t want to give up my car.  Driving gives you a certain level of independence and freedom.  It’s you in control of a massive chunk of metal and barely contained explosive material.  Who WOULDN”T thrive on that?  And who wouldn’t start to get a little narcissistic after a while?  It’s all about ME when I’m driving, right?  So of course I get mad when someone cuts me off.  Hey buddy, I’m DRIVING here!

We talk about taking vacations from our jobs, but maybe what we really need is a vacation from driving.  Maybe it would be best to just lose my keys for a while?  I’d have to walk to the office, but at least I’d be getting exercise.  But really, deep down, I know I could never do that.  I could never turn over the keys, tighten up my laces and give up driving.  It’s the heat.  It’s too freakin’ hot out there.

J. Kevin Tumlinson is the Editor for ViewOnline Magazine at www.viewonline.com. He holds a Masters in Education and has won numerous awards for writing fiction and non-fiction. You may reach him via e-mail at kevin@viewonline.com. The heat has given him Keyboard Rage.