Road rage can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. This page is dedicated to all drivers because we all have to share the road with each other and most importantly look out for one another. 1 lousy second could change your life forever & for the worst if you don’t get a handle on it, imagine that!
Worst Case Scenario: Imagine if you caused an accident to due to your uncontrollable anger and then being sued for a life lost because of an accident that could have been prevented. I hope that I can help you to control your anger behind the wheel or at least help you to help a friend or family member. Always remember that one's life is ever worth taking on the road or any where. This is exactly why we have to learn techniques on how to control that anger.
Let's pretend you are running short on time. What is the worst that could happen to you if you are late? Would being late be worse than getting into an accident, getting into a confrontation, getting arrested, getting punched or even shot by another driver, or better yet, causing physical damage to you, your car or even someone you love and thus further delaying you? You would really be late then wouldn't you? These instances may seem ridiculous but they do happen often and you certainly don't want any of them to happen to you. Please check to see if any of the following apply to you or someone you love.
- Do you always get impatient behind the wheel whenever you are late?
- Do you always feel that you can teach a complete stranger how to drive by example with out even getting out of the car and talking to that person?
- Do you often sit in traffic or take it personal when someone else cuts you off causing you to have to brake suddenly?
- Do you tend to tailgate other drivers who drive too slow?
What if that person is acting angrily towards you and you need to protect yourself? True there are plenty of instances where you need to use self defense but we are talking about being on the road. If so, avoid eye contact with that angry driver at all costs. A car can be a very dangerous weapon and should never be used as a weapon. Sure you want to drive very fast to keep up with that driver and to teach that person a lesson for getting in front of you or just cutting you off, but what you are doing by speeding and agressively handling that situation is putting yourself and others in danger. Not only that, but you are also wasting that nearly $4 per gallon gasoline.
I found another website that had suggested making a "SORRY" Sign. What a great idea! On making a sign to keep in your car in case you approach very agressive drivers, your sign should have thick enough lettering "arial rounded bold," and about 1 1/2" high. The lettering should be black and the background should be white. You can print the sign on card stock and then cut your sign to an overall height of about 3 inches. Leave a margin of 1/4" above the lettering and 1" below. (The inch of space under the lettering is so that your hand does not cover the letters when you are showing the sign.) If you decide to print it on regular paper, you can get it laminated at a copy shop, such as Kinko's. Each completed sign should be approximately 8 1/2" wide by 3" high. If it is night time, you may would need to turn on your car's ceiling light so that the other driver, the one that is upset, can see your sign. It's just a good idea to have one of these signs in your car.
As Always, if you happen to approach an agreessive driver
- Don't take your eyes off the road.
- Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver.
- Stay cool -- don't react to provocation.
- Keep away from drivers behaving erratically.
So what normally causes Agressive driving? AAA found in a study that the reasons for most violent traffic disputes included arguments over parking spaces, cutting another motorist off or refusing to allow passing, minor traffic crashes, obscene gestures, loud music, overuse of the horn, slow driving, tailgating, failure to use a turn signal, and similar behaviors. For example, a teenager who murdered a passenger in another vehicle said, "We was dissed."
However, violent traffic disputes are rarely the result of a single incident, but rather are the cumulative result of a series of stressors in the motorist's life. The traffic incident that turns violent is often "the last straw."
Just think of it this way, the person that just cut you off is just trying to get to where ever it is that they are going to and therefore you really shouldn't take it personal. They don't know you and certainly don't know how good a driver you are. You are not being judged for your driving and therefore you should never take it personally. That person in the other car probably didn't even notice you but that's no excuse to bang on the horn relentlessly. The sound of an aggressive horn can make another driver very angry, but don't accelerate the situation, just turn up your music and enjoy even if the sound is bothering you and you feel completely angry. You should never let out your anger and frustrations out on the road.
Always remember that when you do take the time to brake for any person and no matter how mad you are at this other human being for making you have to brake so suddenly or doing something that may not seem that bright; that person’s life IS worth braking for no matter what. You may not know this person, but someone out there adores that person and if they are killed, someone will surely miss who ever that person is except if that person happens to Dick Cheney; just kidding just maybe his wife and kids will miss him. This is specially true if this happens to be a very young teenager who isn’t an experienced driver. Kid drivers make lots of stupid mistakes on the road and I am sure you were young once or still are but with driving you just get better with experience.
If you are in such a hurry, think about this. Are you in a hurry to live your life? You really shouldn’t be. Life is something that should be treasured everyday wherever you are and even if you are at a stop light or just sitting in endless traffic. Our cars have the potential to be sanctuaries with the innovation of MP3 players, phones, blue tooth technology, and so much more. These are just a few things that can help you to complete your trip or while sitting in traffic.
This little device can save you lots of time, much frustrated anger, and money wasted on Yahoo Directions. Let's face it, Yahoo is starting to loose it appeal, but I won't get into that. How many times have you printed up Yahoo or Mapquest Directions only to lost and very frustrated! I can't tell you the countless times I have printed those up and been more than mad at the results. This little devise is such a great gift for your Valentine! She or He will love you for it! I still rave about mine that my sweetie got me for my birthday. It is by far the very best gift I have gotten! I don't know how I lived so long without one! It can find gas stations, restaurants, land marks and so much more! You don't have to stress about missing your exit, because no matter what exit you happened to miss, it's very patient and can get back on track in no time no matter what. I didn't know about these things until my husband bought one for me. Here you don't have to pay tax if DO NOT live in New Jersey- Just plug in directions before you drive, turn it on and go! A definite must have! I don't know how I made with out one for so long! Now that I have one, I find that I get less aggro on the road! I finally know where I'm going all the time!
MP3 players are very important tools to have while sitting in traffic or good podcasts, books, and even learning tools to learn a new language. If you already have one, try to making several playlists that can calm you while in the car. There are many really good and interesting books available for download on iTunes and other great sites. You can even learn a new language and the countless numbers of audio books available that can completely shorten the length of any trip.
Local Law Enforcement is just beginning to realize just how serous and dangerous Road Rage can be and that getting behind the wheel when you are extremely emotional can be very deadly. Even if someone else has road rage and they flip you off, cut you off, or in general just piss you off; never under any circumstances should you ever let that person get the best of you. NEVER make eye contact with the person who is either tailgating you or driving by flipping you off. If someone is tailgating you, just move over and let them get by and don't even think about them. Let them pass and ook the other way completely. If possible, alway try your best to think about just how lucky you are that you live where you can drive a car even though this is something we all tend to take for granted. Someone that angry doesn't deserve to get the best of you or take a good day away from you!
I believe that my condition has made me really rethink all those stupid moments behind the wheel. Your energy should never be wasted being angry behind the wheel of your beloved vehicle. Even if you hate your car, it does tend to take you many places and you should be thankful for the opportunity to do just that. So if you happen to drive junk, it's still a luxery to be able to get in and go somewhere. Try to enjoy the time in your car as hard as it might be. I always reflect back to being hooked up to an IV receiving chemotherapy or just being in the hospital not knowing if or when I will ever get out. I know that sounds pretty harsh, but it's true in my case. If possible get an MP3 player or an iPOD or even a GPS System.
- One good rule to live by if you are the lucky owner of a GPS, never try to control or make adjustments while out driving. Get the address where you are going first, plug it in and save it to your favorites prior to leaving on your trip. Before turning on your car engine, turn on the GPS and find the address you plugged in earlier under your favorites. Never, ever attempt to do this while you are driving.
As I said earlier and can't stress enough, a good driver, drives defensively and is aware of everyone else on the road. I took Defensive Driving for extra credit in High School. My teacher told me, "always drive as if everyone on the road were having several drinks. You won't always be able to avoid everything dished out to you, but you can at leave avoid some". I took to heart what he said and it has helped me many times over. I avoid a ladder that fell off of a truck, an inexperienced driver in the rain with an SUV. You will have to read my next March/April Newsletter to find about that incident.
I hope that you appreciate being in your car and having the freedom as well as the ability to drive around? OK maybe you are mad because the price of gas keeps creeping up, but it's no reason to get mad at someone you have never met personally. You certainly can't teach someone else how to drive if you are not in the car with them. They can't hear you or understand you, so don't even try it! It's about sharing the road and being more considerate of others. You can't teach others how to drive or to be more considerate drivers.
If you do start to feel anxiety and anger behind the wheel, say you are stuck in traffic or just got stuck at yet another red light because the person in front of you was going to slow or sat waiting too long and you missed it. Try to relax, chill out, close your eyes and take a long deep breath and imagine the best day you ever lived and let the air back out slowly. Try to do this 5-10 times and it should help with your anxiety.
I think what made me appreciate being in my car honestly was being in the hospital. I can sit all day at a red light or traffic and just be thankful to be there instead of the hospital. If you ever feel that you have it bad; I highly suggest going to a chemo ward or a hospice. It will give you a whole new perspective on life in general. You will find people who should be angry, but are not, just happy to be alive while you are angry because the person in front of you cut you off. Get over it and learn to be happy for what you have and for experiencing another day. Many people don't have that luxury.
I found this website that has many valuable tips on how to deal with road rage and aggressive drivers. It's called Roadragers.com (http://roadragers.com/tips/index.htm). Please do check out this site as it has many interesting true compelling articles on road rage. Let's be safe out there!
Well it's now back to reality and the Year has just begun! Here's to a Peaceful and Safe New Year!
Road Rage is one thing but another is Drinking and Driving. If you know you have had enough, please don't drive. If you are out with friends, volunteer to be the designated driver. The designated driver has the most important job and helps to make sure that everyone has fun. No one looses their license, lives are saved, avoids embarrassment, no fines, no jail, low insurance, and so much more. Be safe out there; if you have any doubts, call a cab or a friend. Don't take the chance, it SO NOT worth it!
If you are a designated Driver, here is a list of great virgin drinks that you can enjoy! If you just want to drink water, for a pleasant taste, try a splash of lime, lemon, or orange.
