Dealing With Road Rage: 7 Foolproof Tips

When is the last time you had a close encounter with an aggressive driver? Better yet, when is the last time you felt yourself having to stifle aggressive tendencies of your own while you were behind the wheel? 

People may joke about it, but road rage is a very real phenomenon. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines road rage as "anger and aggressive behavior by a driver who is upset by how another person is driving." As the Lake Area settles into summer and traffic continues to pick up (especially with the 4th of July right around the corner), road rage is likely to be a big concern for many drivers. When left unchecked, road rage can seriously threaten the safety of everyone on the road. The team at Hulett Chevrolet-Buick-GMC is here to help you combat these dangers with these important tips for dealing with road rage.

Dealing With Other People's Road Rage

It's easy to identify a driver who has succumbed to road rage; their driving tactics typically become rash, reckless, and aggressive. Obviously, this behavior can be dangerous to themselves, but it can also endanger other drivers around them. If you encounter one of these drivers, the best thing you can do is take proactive measures to ensure your own safety.

1. Don't Take It Personally.

When you come across an aggressive driver, the worst thing you can do is let their angered behavior get under your skin. If you allow yourself to get frustrated, your own behavior may be influenced. The best thing you can do is to take deep breaths to keep yourself calm and clear-headed.

2. Don't Use Obscene Gestures.

This may seem obvious, but you might be surprised how many people respond to aggressive driving with an inappropriate gesture. While this may seem like a safe way to make sure your feelings are known, the other driver may be further angered by your action and may drive even more recklessly. 

3. Don't Make Eye Contact.

In the animal kingdom, direct eye contact is often viewed as a challenge or an aggressive, authoritative stance. When we're angry, humans often revert to our more base animalistic behaviors. By locking eyes with a raging driver, you could accidentally make the situation worse.

4. Keep Your Doors Locked.

Unfortunately, aggressive drivers have even been known to get out of their cars and physically confront other drivers while stopped in traffic. For the safety of everyone in your vehicle, keep your doors locked at all times.

Dealing With Your Own Road Rage

It is always easier to notice other people's flaws than it is to notice our own. While you may have no trouble identifying a raging driver, it may be more difficult for you to recognize when you are displaying some of these aggressive tendencies yourself. If you catch yourself displaying (or simply feeling) aggressive tendencies towards other drivers, you can call upon these methods to help you diffuse your anger.

1. Force Yourself To Slow Down.

Often, road rage stems from the feeling that we are not able move as quickly or efficiently as we would like. Because we're in a hurry, we drive closely behind the driver in front of us, and our impatience compounds itself and becomes road rage. By forcing yourself to slow down, you can help prevent your anger from becoming a hazard.

2. Remember That It's Not All About You.

Perhaps the greatest flaw of the human race is our tendency to view things in a very egocentric manner - we tend to subconsciously assume that the world revolves around us. Of course, our rational minds can tell us that this is not he case. When you're angry on the road, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it is not all about you.

3. Consider That Everyone Has Their Own Needs.

You never know what is going on in someone else's personal life. The fact that they flew past you in the passing lane only to cut in front of you to take the next exit may seem personally offensive, but you never know what their incentive could be for driving in such a hurry. They could be late for the most important meeting of their career, for example, or they could have an injured child in the backseat in serious need of medical attention.

Be Safe On The Roads!

We hope these suggestions help you avoid dangerous or risky driving situations! If you know of any other great tips to help combat road rage, please leave us a comment below and let us know.

If you ever find yourself in need of a new car at the Lake of the Ozarks, we hope you'll keep us in mind!

Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC
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513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO  65020
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