Road rage is a behavior that causes accidents, violence, and other driving-related mishaps. Once it consumes you, you are driven to a mad frenzy, making your driving more aggressive, sometimes to the point of being vengeful to other drivers. Careless driving leads to many things, none of them pleasant. So, you should always keep your emotions in check, especially when behind the wheel. You’ll never know the consequences until they come crashing into you.
Causes of Road Rage
Road rage, as its name suggests, is a product of uncontrolled anger. It can come from a stressful moment before driving or from the annoying acts of other drivers. The rage builds up when the pressure of coming to work on time or an immense traffic pileup comes into view. When it reaches a seemingly uncontrollable level, you are reduced to acting on instinct, which hampers your reflexes and makes you forget everything about defensive driving. Such is the recipe for an accident or an altercation waiting to happen.
Remedies for Road Rage
Since road rage is centered on anger, your job is to keep your emotions at a healthy balance. The remedies may differ from one person to another, given the causes of road rage and the difference in personalities. Just apply any of these, which apply to the situation and your common behavior regarding that situation:
Soft Gentle Music
Music has an influence on a driver’s demeanor, particularly when he or she can relate to it. Aggressive music happens to go well with unruly drivers, who conveniently breaks traffic rules and angers other drivers. You, while listening to your favorite rock tunes, might be influenced to match the music’s aggressiveness, which leads to a probable accident or violence. Keep your rage in check by playing relaxing music. The smooth melodies soothe your angered soul, cooling your head as it wistfully triggers more joyful emotions. Chances are, you’ll be breathing after hearing just a few songs.
Understand Annoying Drivers
Understanding is an effective remedy against anger. Once you have a firm grasp of a situation, anger is reduced. You can infer the reasons behind bad driving. The reckless drivers you meet may be late for an all-important affair or they’re in a hurry to see their sorely missed loved ones. Of course, you could be wrong, but it may save you from more than a few violent interactions on the road.
Laugh It off
Laughter is certainly the best medicine when dealing with road rage. Come up with the silliest reasons why unruly drivers drive like misguided missiles. Think of humorous reasons like the failure to control bowel movements or the fellow barely making it to 49 on his or her IQ test, which is why they drive that way. Instead of developing road rage, you’ll have a collection of jokes and after-dinner stories in the process.
Just Let Them Pass
Many people are in a mad rush every morning, so they make it to work on time. They see other vehicles, traffic lights, and things that make them hit the brakes as obstacles. Impeding their progress will only cause violent interactions, leading to a probable mishap. Instead of getting annoyed at them, just let them through. Change lanes, or even routes, if you have to. You’ll arrive at your destination anyway.
Fear the Consequences
An accident is a pretty scary incident, given that your life is placed in danger and getting a smashed car fixed costs more than an arm and a leg. Focus on that fear. If you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, let that fear consume you early on. On the road, you’ll be a defensive driver, no matter what happens.
Focus on the Rewards Awaiting Your Arrival
Every destination comes with a haul of good things. The office may remind you of a good-looking co-worker or the prospect of an upcoming promotion. Your home, on the other hand, is the place for nice warm baths, playing with your cute pets, and having fun with your loved ones. These characteristics can warm the heart of anyone, even during episodes of anger. Focus on them while traveling through a busy road. In the end, you’ll be a happy camper even before you arrive at your destination.
These measures are quite effective. However, after some time, the effect of your chosen remedy might be reduced. Consider switching remedies at the threat of road rage development. You can also apply the logic found in some of them, so you can create your own, which matches the perks of your personality, completely.
Don’t let yourself lose to anger; you’re too big a person to succumb. Give us a call no matter what if you find yourself in an accident!
