How to Avoid Road Rage
Let's face it; road rage is dangerous and it is something that should be avoided at all costs. Road rage, essentially violent responses to incidents that arise on the road, is stemmed from uncontrolled anger and frustration. It seems that, as of late, road rage incidents are increasing – as more and more drivers become incapable of handling personal frustrations or irritations spawned by driving conditions and/or irresponsible drivers, incidents of road rage will continue to increase in number. There are however, ways to avoid road rage. First, a driver must learn to recognize the onset of issues that hold the potential to invoke angry outbursts. Secondly, drivers must learn to have respect, not only for the driving laws, but for other drivers as well.
It's a good indication that an incident involving road rage lies ahead when a driver feels little control over his or her behavior. If an incident that occurs on the road suddenly invokes uncontrollable feelings of rage the driver will need to quickly diffuse such feelings. To act out in rage can result in injuries or death – rage is a blinding element that often blocks rational thinking. A driver should never tailgate another driver, cut other drivers off, or verbally and/or physically attack another driver over an issue that has irritated them.
It's easy to become irritated, frustrated or angry while driving; it is not uncommon for some drivers to make mistakes while driving: to cut another driver off unintentionally or to drive a little too close to someone's bumper. While such acts are not necessarily kind they are often done without malicious intent. Thus, drivers need to relax, to take things in stride and to go with the flow. If a driver is cut off then it is a cue that the inexperienced or erratic driver should be avoided. A driver looking to avoid frustration and/or an accident can easily avoid another driver by changing lanes, by hanging back, or by passing the vehicle that cut him or her off in the first place. Avoidance is the best policy in such issues – by avoiding the haphazard actions of an inexperienced or inconsiderate driver, the issue of road rage can also be averted.
Sometimes other drivers will act erratically while driving because they are caught up in road rage. Again, such drivers should be avoided at all costs. A person that is acting out in rage is not thinking clearly and he or she can prove to be dangerous to others around them. Further, just how dangerous a road raging driver is can never be predicted – some may respond with verbal attacks or physical violence if they are reproached for their behavior. It is better to get away from the situation than it is to fuel a road rager's fury any further.
If a driver knows that he or she has issues with rage it is not a bad idea to undergo some form of counseling in order to get a handle on rage issues. Proper diet, proper sleep, the avoidance of illegal drugs and over-the-counter medications can also help to eliminate undue feelings of rage – some rage is invoked by fatigue, confusion, or even depression. Finally, meditation, relaxation and proper exercise can help drivers to release tension and stress, both of which are significant factors in invoking uncontrollable anger and frustration – the key symptoms of road rage.
