Road Rage

A lot of people can probably say they’ve experienced some form of road rage at one point or another. Driving can be a stressful experience, and especially with the increase in the amount of cars on the road and having so many other drivers to deal with. 

Road rage isn’t always just a petty encounter either, but can often lead to serious accidents and fatalities, with Millennials being the worst culprits.

What are the causes of road rage?

Here are some of the most common reasons for retaliation and road rage:

-Tailgating (following too closely)
-Making dangerous lane changes
-Unnecessary honking

-Flashing your lights
-Driving too slowly

How to control your anger while driving

Learn your warning signs

If you notice you’re grinding your teeth, clenching your fists or beginning to swear, this can be a sign it’s time to try and calm down. 

Take long, deep breaths

Deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes calmness and can also draw your attention away from what is making you angry or frustrated.

Change your perspective

If a person is tailgating you, before you get angry, put yourself in their shoes. They may be running late for an important job interview, or they need to get to the hospital to see a loved one. 

Surround yourself with positivity

Put on your favourite song, listen to your favourite podcast or fill your car with a calming scent before you set off. 

Plan your journey and set off earlier

Anxiety around being late for an appointment or something else in your to do list can cause serious stress when driving. So, try to plan how long it’s going to take to get to your destination, and leave a bit of extra time for any unplanned traffic or slow drivers.

How to deal with another drivers road rage

Don’t use your horn

Remember the horn on your car is not there to tell someone off, it is there for emergency use. If you do use your horn, this could potentially make the other driver even more angry. 

Don’t make eye contact

If another driver is shouting, swearing or making aggressive hand gestures towards you, just try to be the bigger person and ignore them as best you can. Keep moving and concentrate on driving well and keep your attention on the road.

Stick to the speed limit

If another driver is tailgating you, stick to the speed limit and don’t feel pressured to speed up. After all, you don’t want to break the law, risk being fined and get points on your licence. Also, don’t succumb to their road rage by slamming on your brakes and angering them even more. 

Road rage is common on our roads, but it doesn’t have to make driving unsafe. With a few of the tips above, hopefully they can make your next journey smoother and more stress free if you struggle to control your road rage.