Avoiding Road Rage

Editor: firemountain

This guide will discuss tips for avoiding road rage by keeping a cool head and preventing confrontations from happening while behind the wheel.

Keeping a cool head while driving may save your life.

As you watch the news day after day, a couple of things keep coming up. First, no matter where you go there are traffic jams. Second if you lose your head in traffic jam and become involved in an altercation, you could lose your life. Many cases of road rage in which some one was murdered, started with a minor traffic incident. People are being murdered over things like honking their horns, cutting someone off, not using their signals and just being inconsiderate. When asking drivers what angers then most, the results are remarkably consistent. A few natural reactions or habits seem likely to enrage other drivers. You can protect yourself by making minor changes to the way you drive or react to someone else:

Cutting Off - When you merge, make sure you have plenty of room. Use your turn signal to show your intentions before making a move. If you accidentally cut someone off, try to apologize to the other driver. If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room to merge into your lane.

Driving Slowly in the Left Lane - If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them by. Besides, it’s simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers by.

Tailgating - Drivers get angry when they are followed too closely. Allow at least a two-second or two car lengths between your car and the car ahead. (When you see the car pass a fixed point count "one thousand, two thousand" before you pass the same point.) If you think another car is driving too slowly and you can't pass, pull back and allow more space. That way, if the car does something unexpected you will have time to react. You should be able to see the headlights of the car behind you in your rear-view mirror. If you feel you are being followed too closely, signal and pull over to allow the other driver to go by.

Gestures - Almost nothing makes another driver angrier than an obscene gesture. Avoid making any gestures that might anger another driver, even expressions of irritation like shaking your head. Be a cautious and courteous driver. Signal every time you merge or change lanes, and whenever you turn. Don't use your horn unless it is an emergency. If you and another driver see a parking space at the same time, let that person have it.

Avoid Confrontation - Give angry drivers lots of room, a driver you may have offended can "snap" and become very dangerous. If the other driver tries to pick a fight, put as much distance as possible between your vehicle and theirs. Do not under any circumstances pull off to the side of the road and try to settle things "man to man".

Avoid Eye Contact - If another driver is acting angry with you, don’t make eye contact. Staring at another driver can turn into a minor encounter between two vehicles into a personal duel.

When All Else Fails, GET HELP - If another driver is following you or is trying to start a fight, get help. Use your cellular phone to call the police. If you don't have a cell phone, drive to a place like a police station, convenience store, shopping center or even a hospital. Use your horn to get someone’s attention. This will usually scare off an aggressor. Do not get out of your car until help arrives, and DO NOT go home.

Put Yourself in the Other Driver’s Shoes - Don't judge other drivers, if someone is speeding and constantly changing lanes, they may have an emergency. Someone who jerks from one lane to another may have a medical problem or a vehicle malfunction. Whatever the reason, stay cool and don’t take another driver’s actions personally.

If You Think You Have a Problem, Ask For Help - Violent, aggressive driving is clearly on the rise but you can avoid becoming a victim by using these tips.

Categories: Self-Help