We’ve all been there - you’re in your car, on the way to work or even just running errands and you have the bad luck of encountering a terrible driver. Maybe he does something inconsiderate like tail-gating or maybe he even puts you and your pristine automobile in jeopardy.
Either way, you lose it. You hear your blood rushing through your ears and you start thinking about how good it would feel to flip the bird or, worse, get revenge by cutting him off.
As an excellent driver, this kind of bad driving can really get under your skin and cause you to make unwise decisions.
Though you can’t improve the skills of other drivers, you can improve the way you respond to them. And in doing so, you can avoid the kinds of problems that lead to dangerous confrontations and accidents that have serious consequences.
1. Assume the Best
There are many reasons another driver may do something that angers you, and few of them have anything to do with you. The other driver could be elderly, a brand new driver, lost, or even distracted by some personal crisis. Try to remember that before reacting. Would you really feel OK about yelling obscenities at a frightened granny or a teenager who’s driving alone for the very first time? Probably not.
Even if the other driver isn’t at some sort of disadvantage, their mistake could be just that - a mistake. There isn’t a driver out there who hasn’t made an error on the road. It could be that your new nemesis who wouldn’t let you in truly didn’t see you or is running late to a job interview and not thinking clearly.
The point is, you shouldn’t take their bad driving as a personal affront to you, because it isn’t. Take a deep breath and, if it helps you, make up a little story about why that individual did what they did. It might make it easier to forgive them.
2. Take Responsibility
Before you direct the full force of your anger on to someone else, consider the possibility that you may have contributed to the problem in some way.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Did I leave later than I should have? If you’re running late, you’re probably overly sensitive to other drivers further delaying you. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going and you’ll find that you have less cause to get angry when other drivers slow you down.
- Was I distracted? We’re all guilty of trying to multi-task when we’re driving, but whenever your attention to the road is compromised, you put yourself and other drivers at risk. What looks to you like someone else’s mistake could really be your own if you’re not paying attention. Try to focus fully on driving and you’ll avoid unneccesary problems.
- Are you stressed or tired? It could be that you’re not operating at full capacity. If you didn’t get enough sleep last night or are consumed with stress about your job, it can impact the way you’re driving. You may be exhibiting just the kind of behavior you find so maddening in other drivers.
Make your car a more peaceful and relaxing environment by listening to music that puts you at ease or even an audiobook or podcast that takes your mind off your worries. Humorous podcasts can be a great way to maintain a positive attitude while behind the wheel.
3. Remember Your Manners
Something strange happens when we’re inside of a car - many of us tend to forget the normal, human guidelines of decency that guide our behavior. We do and say things that we’d never, in a million years, do or say in a face-to-face situation with another person. For some reason, the car isolates you and makes you forget you’re dealing with other people and not machines.
Before reacting, think about how you would act in a restaurant or a shop. If someone cut you in line, would you shout in their face or physically push them aside? Definitely not. You’d either take a breath and let it go or politely inform them that you were waiting first. The fact that you’re in a car and not on your feet should not dramatically impact the way you behave.
Road rage is not just a bad habit. It’s dangerous behavior that puts both you and other drivers at risk. When you lose your temper, you can lose control of the situation, which has serious implications when you’re steering a 2-ton machine.
If you end up in an accident and your anger is the cause, you’ll be liable when it comes to insurance. So, for the sake of your own safety and financial wellbeing, try to use these tips to keep road rage at bay.
Carsfresh: Thanks to Jay Deratany for the tip. He is the founding member of The Deratany Firm and is a top Chicago car accident lawyer. His passion for helping people extends beyond the firm and into his extensive pro bono work and personal philanthropy. For more information, visit The Deratany Firm and connect with Jay on Google+.