Road rage: The never ending battle of egos on Bengaluru’s streets

In recent times, an unusual yet persistent driving behavior has been emerging on Bengaluru’s roads. While not fitting the traditional definition of road rage, it carries the same underlying mindset—a quiet but simmering aggression among commuters.

One such incident unfolded on a Sunday afternoon. With the Outer Ring Road heavily congested due to Metro-related flyover closures near HSR Layout, a driver opted for an alternative route through EGL, NAL Wind Tunnel, and Bellandur Lake to rejoin ORR at Bellandur. At some point during the journey, he overtook a compact car at a junction, though he paid little attention to it at the time.

As he reached ORR and waited for an opportunity to merge, he noticed a small car attempting a reckless maneuver—forcing its way through a nonexistent gap over a deep pothole at high speed. The risk seemed unnecessary, but he assumed the driver was simply in a hurry.

A few moments later, as he completed his turn, he caught sight of the same car once more. This time, the driver extended a middle finger out of the window—a silent but unmistakable display of hostility. Only then did he realize that this was likely the same vehicle he had passed earlier.

This competitive and irrational behavior raises questions. Is it a product of Bengaluru’s chaotic traffic and rising frustrations? Or is it a broader reflection of modern road rage?

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