Low tolerance level of drivers reason behind rise in road rage: Delhi HC told

NEW DELHI: Decreasing tolerance level of the drivers coupled with flouting of traffic rules and increasing number of vehicles jostling for road space in the national capital was the reason for a spurt in incidents of road rage which has claimed lives of people, the Delhi High Court was today told.

"The factors causing road rage vary from increasing number of vehicles jostling for the limited road space, rising stress levels and decreasing tolerance of drivers, loud music and stressful life of city, inadequate punishment for flouting traffic rules, inflated egos, influence of alcohol and the hot unmerciful weather conditions etc.," Delhi Police said.

The submission of Delhi Police traffic department was made before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath who were also informed that a scientific study by experts on road rage behaviour in Delhi can be initiated so that the exact causes and its remedial measures can be identified.

The police response came in the backdrop of the May 13 direction which was issued after the court took suo motu cognizance of media reports regarding an incident in which a head constable of Delhi Traffic Police had allegedly hit a woman with a brick in a fit of rage after she refused to bribe him.

The court had expressed anguish over the incident and said if these remain unchecked, they will "snowball into a jungle raj with only the physically fittest amongst us surviving".