For most of us, driving is a daily part of life. It’s not often that we consider the stresses and dangers of driving. Despite this, road rage is a very real thing. While it may not happen to you on a regular basis, it’s still important to be aware that the risk does exist. Learning to stay calm is the first preventative measure when it comes to road rage, and can help you prevent accidents, legal repercussions, and in some cases, even physical harm.
Road rage is defined by violent anger caused by the stress and frustration involved in driving a motor vehicle. Road rage can erupt seemingly out of nowhere and for something as minor as prolonged eye contact. You may even find yourself a victim of road rage and not even be aware of why the other driver is upset. Needless to say, this can lead to undue stress and as a result, can turn into a violent, dangerous—and possibly even deadly—situation.
Aggressive driving is associated with a high number of fatal car accidents and can very quickly turn into a road rage situation. Speeding, tailgating, failing to yield, sudden braking (“brake checking”), cutting off other vehicles, and racing are only some of the aggressive driving methods that can escalate to dangerous road rage incidents or accidents.
A good preventative measure when it comes to road rage is to always be prepared for the unexpected. Even when you’re not driving, it’s always useful to practice breathing exercises and calming methods to familiarize yourself with the process. These techniques could be useful if you ever find yourself in a road rage situation. Some other preventative measures for road rage include listening to calm music, understanding that the road is to be shared, keeping an adequate amount of space between your vehicle and others’, and finally, being aware of yourself and those around you.
If you find yourself in a road rage situation where you upset another driver, you must attempt to defuse the situation. Of course, if you feel that you are in imminent danger, the first step should be contacting the police. If on the other hand, the driver seems that he could be reasoned with, there are several possible methods of calming him:
- Apologize
- Allow room to pass
- Nod your head or wave
Depending on the situation, the driver may not be close enough to hear you apologize, but mouthing the words with a hand on your chest is usually enough to show your remorse. Alternatively, you can allow room to pass, nod your head or wave them by. Even if the road rage situation wasn’t your fault, it’s important to be the bigger person. If no one was hurt and no damage was done, then why escalate the situation when a situation can be avoided?
Now, let’s put the shoe on the other foot. Let’s say that someone upsets you. Knowing how to stay calm could mean the difference between going home in peace or finding yourself in legal battles. The first thing you should do if you’re upset while driving is to pull over. Angry driving is impaired driving and it is against the law. If you drive while angry, you’re endangering your own life and the lives of others. Pulling over allows you to recollect your thoughts and get your emotions under control.
Once you’ve pulled over to a safe area, turn off your vehicle and begin taking deep breaths. Several deep breaths will help keep your mind clear, at least for a few minutes. If you feel that you’re not yet calm, counting backwards from 10 is advised. Humming a soothing tune, reciting a prayer if you’re religious, or just closing your eyes for a few minutes (with your vehicle turned off) are all appropriate ways of dealing with anger while on the road.
Before deciding to take revenge on the other driver, understand that you’re in control of yourself and your feelings. No one can make you feel a certain way unless you allow it. Think about what would happen if you “lost your cool” in the road rage incident. Are the consequences worth it?
By recognizing and applying calming techniques, you can be calm in road rage situations. You can be the bigger person and protect yourself and others on the road. By understanding this, you can avoid legal repercussions, accidents, physical harm, and in extreme cases, even death. When you think about everything that you stand to lose over a heat-of-the-moment situation, it’s clear that road rage is not worth it.