Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stated that the violence experienced in traffic is a reflection of anger, and that anger stems from stress and anxiety elevated by insatiability and dissatisfaction.
In this section of the special report titled 'Istanbul's Transportation Problem', prepared by Anadolu Agency regarding Istanbulites' traffic ordeal, all kinds of violence exhibited by individuals whose mental health is deteriorated by traffic, including homicide, and what needs to be done to avoid being exposed to this violence were discussed.
• Istanbul traffic harms mental and physical health
• Istanbulites prefer the "Project of the Century" Marmaray
• Malfunctions in metros and trams, which bear the burden of transportation, have tired Istanbulites
• Metrobus lines are insufficient to carry the megacity
• Istanbulites face difficulties in using public transportation at night
• Cancellations and malfunctions in IETT buses have exhausted Istanbulites
In large cities where traffic is a problem, many types of violence can emerge on public transport vehicles and roads.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, explained to an AA reporter the causes of traffic-related incidents involving many types of violence, from persistent and long horn honking to insults, from damaging vehicles to armed assault, and how to act in such situations.
Tarhan stated that according to statistical measurements, 80-90 percent of traffic accidents are caused by human factors, and that violence in traffic has also started to be defined as a subgroup of domestic violence incidents.
Emphasizing that one of the causes of violence in traffic stems from people's inability to manage anger control, Tarhan said, "Violence in traffic has become an area where anger can be expressed most easily. For example, a person plans to go from one place to another in an hour, but when that hour extends a little, they start to get angry. When an hour passes 5-10 minutes longer than planned in their mind, they start to get angry. In such situations, when someone honks, they react violently. If the other party is also stressed in the same way, the incident turns into reactions they will later regret."
"Those who commit violence in traffic are dumping the garbage in their souls as they go"
Tarhan stated that both sides being angry in traffic can often lead to criminal behavior, and that one side remaining calm and acting accordingly can largely help resolve the problem without it escalating into violence.
Drawing attention to the mental state of those who resort to violence in traffic, Tarhan said:
"There is a metaphor often told about traffic; a garbage truck collects its trash as it goes and then dumps it. Some people also dump their trash as they go. Those who commit violence in traffic are dumping the garbage in their minds, in their souls, as they go. If you respond to these people, they will dump their trash on you. The mental health of people who get angry in traffic is largely not sound. That is why not responding to such people at all is the wisest method."
Reminding that humanity fed by hunting in eras described as the 'primitive period', Tarhan said, "The stress experienced while hunting an animal is now experienced every day and shown in traffic. We experience so much stress and tension that the human body cannot tolerate. That's why stress began to be defined in psychology from the 1960s onwards, and now even children can say 'I'm going to relieve stress'. The reason for this is fast-paced life and time pressure. Modernism, in this era, teaches us haste and impatience. It dictates 'let it happen immediately and let it happen now'."
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that anger is seen more frequently in individuals who neglect waiting, the ability to postpone, and resilience training, adding, "These are the stress loads brought by a fast-paced life. The level of expectation in people is also rising. People want to live better, richer, and happier lives. Their expectations about life have also increased. Because their expectations have increased, they compare their own car with others' cars while driving. When comparing, there is a modern understanding that desires more. This also increases insatiability, dissatisfaction, and stress levels in people. A high level of anxiety is one of the biggest causes of anger. A person who can control their anxiety can also control their anger."
"When you respond to an angry person with anger, you are buying their anger"
Stating that anger management training can primarily be taken to prevent violence incidents in traffic, Tarhan noted the following:
"When a person gets angry in traffic, it means there is already a fire of anger. If someone tries to solve a problem while that fire of anger exists, the problem will only grow. The best way to combat anger is to postpone. Immediately, it will change the focus of attention. If someone is approaching with anger from the other side, it should be considered that their mental health is not sound. One should not engage in an ego battle like 'I am right, you are wrong' with such people. In such a situation, maturity means not giving importance to the incident. When you respond to an angry person with anger, you are buying their anger. That anger sticks to you, and you also get angry. Two angry people already have impaired mental control, meaning they are acting solely on their emotional impulses without engaging their thinking brains. If both sides are acting on their emotional impulses, then jungle law prevails. Therefore, not being captive to jungle law in traffic requires traffic maturity."
Tarhan noted that public transportation and private vehicles create different stresses in traffic, and this can vary from person to person, stating that people can decide what is suitable based on their own needs and convenience.
Despite the negative aspects of traffic, Tarhan noted that the beauties of living in Istanbul are far greater, emphasizing the value of having a healthy body, family, and environment.
Tarhan stated that it would be more appropriate for people to act considering what they have, concluding his words as follows:
"When you set out and think 'I'm going to get stressed, what kind of person will I encounter?', you invite stress. Therefore, in such situations, prepare yourself for the negative but load the positive into your brain. If you do this, your brain forms connections with positive things. It perceives positive situations and shifts us into a positive position. When we are in a positive position, even if something negative happens, we can process it. In other words, let's not absorb stress like a sponge. Let's be like rubber, flexible, and return to our original state. If we can do this, we can manage that stress. Otherwise, stress will crush us. Therefore, let's not be afraid of stress. Controllable stress is beneficial, even if it's traffic stress. Not going out in traffic because of anticipated traffic stress is not an option. We need to accept and manage it."
To access the news: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dosya-haber/bozulan-ruh-sagligi-trafikte-siddet-olarak-kendini-gosteriyor/3086566#