Road Rage as it applies to a Superiority Complex

I’ve long contended that the purest form of equality available in America today can be found on the road. When you’re sitting in traffic, you’re sharing the road with teachers, CEO’s, migrant workers, engineers, lawyers, grocery store clerks, and anyone else able drive. You’re just as likely to be cut off by a soccer mom as you are a doctor.

I sometimes wonder if many people don’t find such a level playing field frustrating. After all, there are so many “bad” drivers out there. Consider that a lot of people feel the need to exert some degree of control or superiority over those around them. Such people try to steer conversations to topics where they are most knowledgeable, to leverage an advantage. Sometimes they’ll put down (publicly or quietly) other people to make themselves feel better than them. Now take such a person, and put them in a car behind the person they are better than. In traffic. With no way to pass.

Road rage stems from many things, but I’ve had a fair deal of experience driving in 3 different states (Texas, NY and Mass), and I have to say that Mass is by far the worst when it comes to road rage. Specifically, the closer you get to Boston. I also believe that the level of pretentiousness, competitiveness, and need to exhibit superiority correlates with this level of road rage.

Admittedly, I’m writing having just read an article on Confirmation Bias, which states that once you have an idea, you’ll start seeing evidence that you feel validates your theory, and ignoring evidence that contradicts it. I don’t know of any studies that point to strong ties between road rage and superiority. I also don’t know of any studies that contradict. But this has never been about being right. It’s been about getting thing out of my head so I don’t have to dwell on them anymore.