Fiction: The digital world has us by the _______!

Opinion. The views expressed are the author’s own.

Amir just bought himself a beautiful Siler Metallic F-150. He proudly displayed it to his fellow employee’s, family and neighbors. A symbol of the achievements he had made for the last decade or two working hard, saving too. He wanted to protect his investment so he installed a camera directed forward and one for his vehicles rear view. These camera’s panned wide and clearly. Fully insured, buffed and polished almost daily his “baby” was going to last a long time.

Off to work he went doing the speeding limit, and obeying the traffic signs as one should. At one point he stopped at a corner looking to each direction. A Nissan SUV came up behind him, stopped and then did something that outraged him. Stopping the vehicle inched forward pushing his vehicle to proceed and drive. OMG it was like an assault upon himself and his vehicle and this could not be allowed. “No Sir”. Enraged he got out of his vehicle and stormed back towards the Nissan. Finding a young woman driving the car enraged him further. You know all about the many comments made about women drivers right? He looked at his truck and then almost ran towards the drivers side to face off with this little woman. She sat there with eyes bugging out, terrified by this mans actions. What she had done did not enter her mind at the time. Threated she closed her window and locked the doors The stand off began.

Amir began to shout things he had never said before, perhaps trying to frighten her more than she was already. She fought back as only she could by yelling back at her apparent attacker. Amir became more angry and struck the drivers side window shattering it. This event shocked him and the driver as well. He stood back in shock and then saying sorry as he passed by re-entered his F-150 driving off. He decided to take a vacation pay deciding that going to work while he was all worked up was a bad idea. The woman he had terrorized called 911.

Approximately 3 hours later a knock at the door presented two of the Polices Finest standing there with neutral faces. Asking if he was Amir, he said that was so. He was arrested immediately and placed into the back of the police cruiser. As he was driven to the police station much of the day came into focus for him. He asked himself how could the police come by. identify him and arrest him on the spot? Amir was a lawyer, and understood his rights and privileges as a driver. Half way to the police station the gravity of the situation he was now in hit him like a brick.

The camera’s he installed were purposed to protect his vehicle, but they ended up convicting him through the filmed actions of the morning. Everything was on tape, and he had also connected these camera’s to the Web. That is how the police investigated the incident, finding proof of his actions. The camera’s and the witness driver were enough to get him arrested on the charges of assault, damaging private property and a few more charges. Serious stuff.

Camera’s are an incredible tool when used properly, installed with good intentions. Amir’s attempt to protect his investment backfired upon him. Just as a man having an affair with a woman is caught on camera, Amir could not explain his way out of this situation. The camera’s did what they were purposed to do. His actions were unacceptable and in the end he was fined and did some time in prison. While he was in the prison did he take advantage of therapy secessions, or the class on managing ones emotional/rage issues? He did not.

In fact he became more angry as he considered why he had done what he had done. It was the young woman, not him that caused this firestorm to happen. She pushed his new vehicle.

Road rage in our society is a common thing. Driving a vehicle is complicated, stressful, unforgiving and demanding. Add emotions to the mix and you can have a powder keg blow. All you need is an other vehicle get to close to you, seemingly threaten you and your vehicle’s safety and the fuse has been lite. Emotions are often unpredictable, selfish, greedy, unforgiving. All Amir could think about was “thank God he did not live in a society where people can carry fire arms”. Driving a vehicle demands the drivers full attention, responsibility and empathy as well. “Shit happens”. Live with it, do better by it, educate yourself about it and live your life free of the oppressive nature emotions can throw at you. Driving is a privilege and not a right, truly.

According to The Consumers Affairs Journal Road Rage is caused by :39.5% heavy traffic, 38.1% already feeling stressed, 33.9% already running late, 26.86% feeling very tired.

Most prevalent Road Rage in USA: Speeding on Highway 48%, Tailgating 34%, Honking/Gestures 32^, Running a red light 33.1%, Cutting another vehicle off 22%. Aggressive Driving 26.5%(Consumers Affairs Journal).

Note: This story is fiction, devised to educate and entertain. It is my hope that people like Amir and the Young Lady in the story show better JUDGEMENT. Physical, Financial and Social Lives often depend upon it.

Steven Kaszab lives in Bradford, Ont.