Drivers in Bahrain are being urged to remain calm and composed on the roads, avoid confrontations, and seek assistance from authorities if tensions escalate.
The appeal follows a serious road rage incident in which a Bahraini man was severely injured after being struck by a vehicle.
The assailant has since been sentenced to a lengthy prison term.
Speaking on the Al Aman show, head of Hidd Police Station Colonel Dr Osama Bahar outlined common triggers for road conflicts.
Disputes often arise ‘over the right of way’, he explained.
“Sometimes, a driver unintentionally veers into another lane or misinterprets another’s actions.
“There are also instances when drivers are caught off guard when cars in front brake suddenly, slow down, or make turns without using indicators.”
Regardless of the reason, Col Dr Bahar emphasised the importance of keeping emotions in check while driving to prevent dangerous confrontations.
He highlighted a recent case involving two 18-year-olds who, in a moment of anger, made choices that drastically altered their futures.
“They threw away everything over a fleeting moment of rage,” he said, urging drivers to think before they react.
“The young men had just graduated from high school and obtained their driver’s licence,” he said.
“Their future was starting, they were still new to everything in life.
“They got into a minor argument in the street, the reason for which is not clear. It escalated and that was the spark that ignited the rage. They began gesturing at each other and then pulled over at a street, and when one of them stepped out, the other ran him over.”
According to Col Dr Bahar, the victim had to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, while the perpetrator was sentenced to time in prison.
He said the assailant had his studies interrupted, and consequently lost his job and his ability to support his family, while the victim remains hospitalised.
The official requested parents to ensure they acted as role models for their children, teaching them to remain calm and collected, and avoid road rage to safeguard their future.
“Teach them that if any conflict happens, they should neither get out of the car, nor should they engage with the other person in any way,” he said.
“Moments of anger are just that – fleeting moments. Even in case of an accident, control your emotions, and teach your children to do the same.
“If you are genuinely upset and want to deal with the incident, call 999, and let the police take the necessary measures,” he added.
The GDN reported another road rage incident in April, following which a 37-year-old man stood trial at the High Criminal Court for assaulting the driver of a vehicle he had collided with.
The Bahraini worker from Tubli had stopped on the shoulder of a highway to inspect the damage to his car after the collision when the fight broke out.
The Syrian victim who was assaulted reportedly began experiencing breathing difficulties, as the impact caused his nostrils to narrow, which, according to a medical examiner, amounted to a six per cent disability. The assailant was subsequently sentenced to one year in prison.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))