ROAD RAGE: Why We Rage Over a Missed Turn While Others Endure Forced Displacement

I am writing this piece in the hope that more people can relate to the current issues facing the world today, where those drunk on power believe they can take whatever they want…

If you’ve ever driven in Saudi Arabia, you’ll know the roads are chaotic—high-speed weaving, last-minute lane changes, and a general sense that traffic laws are more of a suggestion than a rule. Yet, despite this unpredictability, one thing is strikingly absent: road rage.

No shouting, no aggressive honking, no middle fingers. Even in the aftermath of a crash, you’ll rarely see a heated argument. The norm? Two drivers step out, exchange a few words, maybe make a phone call to insurance, and life moves on.

Now compare that to the UK. A place where traffic is highly regulated—cameras at every junction, fines for even the slightest infraction, and a culture that prides itself on order and compliance. And yet, road rage in the UK is intense and dangerous.

Someone driving a little too slowly? You’ll get tailgated. Forget to indicate? Expect a horn blast. A minor mistake? Some drivers are ready to step out of the car and fight.

So, why is there such a stark difference in behaviour?

Order vs. Chaos: When Does Rage Emerge?

At first glance, it seems paradoxical—shouldn’t stricter rules make people calmer, and chaos breed frustration? But human psychology doesn’t work that way.

In the UK, people believe they are entitled to a certain level of order on the road. The moment another driver disrupts that, it feels like a personal violation—a right taken away. This triggers the fight response, which manifests as rage.

In KSA, where infrastructure is being updated or built new, the roads are unpredictable and mistakes are expected, drivers do not develop the same sense of entitlement to perfect order. There is no illusion of complete control—just an acceptance of the road as it is. And perhaps more importantly, the cultural and religious mindset discourages confrontation over minor inconveniences.

Road Rage and the Feeling of Oppression

Road rage is often a reaction to perceived oppression—the feeling that someone has wronged you and gotten away with it.

Think about the last time you experienced road rage (or witnessed it). The anger wasn’t just about being delayed—it was about a deeper sense of unfairness.

• "That driver cut me off! He thinks he’s more important than me!"
• "Why is this person driving so slowly? Don’t they realise I have places to be?"
• "He didn’t let me merge. I deserve that space!"

It’s a battle over space—a fleeting moment where someone’s decision affects your movement, and your mind registers it as a violation of your rights.

Now, let’s extend that thought.

We in the West fight over space while in motion, while others around the world have their entire homes, lands, and rights taken from them. Displacement, forced removals, occupation—these are real, enduring oppressions.

And yet, many of the displaced do not react with rage. They show resilience, patience, and faith in a higher justice—a response that seems almost unfathomable when compared to the reactions we see on our roads daily.

A Reflection on True Injustice

Next time you feel road rage rising, pause and ask yourself—why do I feel so entitled to this moment of space and control? And more importantly, if this small act of perceived injustice provokes such a strong emotional reaction, how do we begin to understand those who have had everything taken from them?

If they can respond with dignity and patience, what does that say about us?

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Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (?) said, "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger."

Sahih al-Bukhari, 6114

Perhaps the biggest difference between road rage in the UK and the calm of Saudi drivers is not just cultural—it’s a reflection of a deeper mindset about justice and faith in something bigger than the self.

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