Controlling Road Rage
Merriam-Webster first defines rage as 1 a: violent and uncontrolled anger; b: a fit of violent wrath (both nouns). Road rage backs this impulsive, destructive behavior with thousands of pounds of mobile energy. To correct or avoid this problem, we must focus on what is at the root of it: lack of self control.
Theoretically, self control (or restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions and desires) is learned at an early age. Baby #1 swipes a toy from Baby #2 and is gently rebuked by mother. Multiply these instances and add to them the multitude of other opportunities for parents to lead by example and instruction over the next sixteen years, and the product is presumably a well-balanced, in-control individual. Remove those early-life parental influences for whatever reason, and Johnny becomes his own boy.
However you have personally arrived at adulthood, the first rule to driving safely is driving defensively. Be cautious enough not to make your own mistakes, but do not assume that any other driver is as cautious. Just as in all areas of life, frustrating things happen on the road. Ranging from heavy traffic, neglecting to use signals or follow signs, somebody is causing a traffic violation every second of every day. It is not your responsibility to respond to road violations; it is the job of those in law enforcement. Subsequently it is not your right to revenge this behavior either.
You are driving along and an inconsiderate driver swings in front of you and stops short, nearly causing an accident and sending your adrenaline rushing. Anger in this situation is a likely response, but does not have to be an uncontrolled one. Even yelling expletives at the offending driver (in addition to being a bad example) can cause him to react in rage. Remember the golden rule of driving defensively; you simply cannot predict the actions of others.
With self-control and driving defensively both firmly in mind, here are some simple guidelines that might help you avoid feeling and giving in to road rage:
1. Start early. Drivers who are in a rush are most easily agitated by what they cannot control. Starting early also helps eliminate getting in the car while under stress. A calm driver is more cautious and aware than one who is stressed out and in a hurry.
2. Plan for traffic. This goes along with starting early in the aspect that you have allowed yourself extra time for worst-case-scenario traffic. What if you have appointments close together? Then you should probably consider reorganizing your life and schedule so overlapping is a rare occurrence.
3. Listen to soothing but not sleepy music. Decide what you want to listen to while you are in your driveway, not on the road. Set it at a low enough volume that you can still catch the sound of public service sirens, and do not change it again unless you are at a complete stop with the brakes on. If you cannot stand what the station changed to, wait until you are stopped at a light and push it off exactly once. The shower is a much safer place for a concert of one than driving a car.
4. Do not take calls, apply make up, eat, drink, dress, text or otherwise distract yourself from the road. If you are well aware of your driving surroundings every moment, the chances are that you will notice a bad driver's pattern and have an eye on her well before she cuts you off. This is called being prepared, and is essential to any driving experience.
5. When another driver does cut you off or otherwise offends you, practice self-control! You are no longer a tot whose mommy will swoop in and rescue from a tantrum, you are an adult presumed responsible enough to operate a large, fast-moving vehicle; behave accordingly. Suck in a deep breath or two and count to ten, twenty or even a hundred if that is what it takes to regain your calm. This is perfectly acceptable, and ends much better than chasing down the offender in a tailgating race of rage.
6. Lastly, when a driver endangers you or those around you, the responsible act is to memorize or have a passenger record their license plate number, make and model of vehicle and report it to the police at the next availability. Such calls may be made anonymously, and if you have noted a driver who seems intoxicated, tailgates repeatedly or is otherwise potentially destructive, reporting them is the right thing to do.
Practicing self-control comes in handy in all facets of life and is as well lived off the road as on. Once you add the above precautions, your driving experience will become more pleasant and, consequently, so will your life.
