Autofahrer als Delinquenten? – Zur Therapie von Verkehrssündern

Abstract

Road rage: Psychotherapy with speed offenders Due to the rapid increase in traffic in the course of the last few decades, public interest has been attracted by a phenomenon that causes intense emotional debates. In the public discussion about so called speed offenders it sometimes proves difficult to distinguish between rational arguments on one hand and the wish to punish a person accused on the other. Most of the speed offenders are young males, they seem to claim for themselves the right to interpret rules according to their fancy. Their wish to drive and thus to control a high-powered vehicle seems far more important to them than matters of public safety. As traffic offences grew more frequent, police and justice decided that rigorous measures were to be taken; high fines and taking away licences did not seem to lead to real insight as was expected. It was therefore suggested that speed offenders might need therapy in order to help them to reflect on their offence. Thus, the idea of combining psychotherapy with suitable punishment was born. The aim was to re-educate delinquents and to improve their driving. This education work could be a huge potential for Individual Psychology, combining behavioural, cognitive and psychodynamic methods as well as Lifestyle work with the clients. Most of these clients are motivated primarily by the desperate wish to have their licences returned to them. With the help of Adlerian Psychology, they could also achieve insight, which would be of help not only in driving, but also in their lives in general.