In October 2019, 82 percent of Americans admitted to having driven aggressively at least once in the past year. Sometimes road rage can be defined as obscene gestures or cursing. However, road rage can go far beyond that.
Over a seven-year period, more than 12,000 people were injured due to road rage. During that same timeframe, hundreds of murders were attributed to road rage. It’s apparent that this is a problem.
However, how do you protect yourself and your family when you’re on the road? Keep reading to learn more about road rage and how to stay safe.
What Is Road Rage?
Road rage is a dangerous and potentially violent behavior that can occur when drivers feel angry, frustrated, or threatened. Road rage can lead to aggressive driving, such as speeding, tailgating, and making unsafe lane changes. It can also lead to road rage incidents, such as fistfights, shootings, and even murders.
Common Causes of Road Rage
Many different factors can trigger road rage. Some common causes include:
- Frustration with other drivers: Whether it’s someone cutting you off in traffic or driving too slowly in the fast lane, frustration with other drivers is a major cause of road rage
- Feeling rushed or stressed: If you’re already feeling stressed out or in a hurry, even the smallest delay can trigger road rage
- Being tailgated: When someone is tailgating you, it can be very stressful and can quickly lead to road rage
- Seeing aggressive driving: If you see someone else driving aggressively, it can make you angry and more likely to lash out at yourself
If you are angry while driving, try to take a deep breath and relax. Remember that getting angry isn’t going to help anything and will only make the situation worse.
What to Do if You Encounter Aggressive Drivers
If you encounter an aggressive driver, there are several ways to diffuse the situation.
First, avoid eye contact.
Second, stay calm and avoid any aggressive gestures yourself.
Third, try to avoid the situation by changing lanes or turning off at the next exit.
Finally, if the situation escalates, call 911 and report the incident to the police.
How Not to Become an Aggressive Driver
It’s easy to become an aggressive driver without even realizing it. Here is some behavior to avoid if you want to stay focused while driving:
Keep Calm
Imagine this: you’re driving along when another driver cuts you off or does something to make you angry. Before you know it, you’re experiencing road rage.
Road rage is a serious problem that can lead to aggressive driving, accidents, and even violence. So how do you avoid it?
Here are some tips for keeping calm while driving:
- Take a deep breath and count to 10
- Focus on the positive. Instead of dwelling on the negative
- Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road
- Plan ahead; if you know you’re going to be driving in heavy traffic, plan your route ahead of time to avoid any stressful situations
Don’t Drive When Overly Emotional
It can be difficult to remain calm while driving, especially when other drivers are aggressive or there is a lot of traffic. However, it is important to try to stay calm and focused while driving, as losing control can lead to road rage or accidents.
If you become overly emotional while driving, pull over to take a break if possible. Once you have calmed down, you can continue driving.
Have Empathy
When we get behind the wheel, it’s easy to forget that other people are on the road. We can get so focused on our destination that we forget to be mindful of the others around us. This can lead to road rage and aggressive driving.
It’s important to remember that everyone is trying to get somewhere. We all have places to be and things to do. When you cut someone off in traffic or honk at them for going too slow, you’re not considering their situation. You’re only thinking about yourself.
The next time you’re driving, try to have empathy for those around you. Put yourself in their shoes and think about why they might be driving the way they are.
It could be that they’re new to the area, or maybe they’re dealing with a family situation and trying to get home. Whatever the case may be, try to understand where they’re coming from.
Empathy will help you avoid road rage and drive with focus. When you can see things from another person’s perspective, it’s easier to stay calm and patient behind the wheel. So next time you’re out driving, take a deep breath and show empathy for your fellow drivers.
Slow Down
Slow down. Road rage is often the result of drivers feeling rushed or stressed.
Slow down and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. This will help you stay calm and focused while driving.
In addition to slowing down, be sure to take breaks as needed. If you feel yourself getting tense or angry behind the wheel, pull over and take a few deep breaths. It’s important to stay relaxed while driving, so you can react calmly to any situation that may arise.
No Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the main causes of road rage. When you are driving, you need to be focused on the road and not distracted by anything else. Here are some tips to avoid distracted driving:
- Put your phone away
- Do not eat or drink while driving
- Avoid talking to passengers if possible
- Keep your eyes on the road at all times
- Pay attention to your surroundings and other drivers
Learn to Stay Safe in a Defensive Driving Course
When you take a defensive driving course, you will learn how to stay safe on the road by anticipating and reacting to the actions of other drivers. You will also learn to maintain focus while driving, even in difficult situations.
A prime reason for taking an online traffic school course is to become more familiar with the rules of the road. This includes understanding speed limits, following traffic signs and signals, and being aware of other drivers’ behaviors. You will also learn how to recognize potential hazards and handle them appropriately.
Next, you will learn how to respond to dangerous situations while on the road. This includes knowing when and how to pass safely, merging into traffic safely, maintaining a safe speed for the conditions, and controlling your vehicle in bad weather or at night.
Finally, you will practice defensive driving techniques such as scanning your surroundings constantly, avoiding distractions from passengers or electronic devices, and maintaining an appropriate gap between you and other vehicles.
By taking a defensive driving course, you can become a safer driver by learning to anticipate, identify, and avoid road dangers. With this knowledge, you can help keep yourself and others safe on the road.
Additional perk!! Many insurance companies offer a discount for completing a defensive driving course.
Keep the Roads Safe by Learning More Driving Safety Tips
Driving can be a great way to get where you need to go, but it can also be stressful. That is why learning to avoid road rage and drive with focus is so important. By being mindful of your emotions, managing stress levels, listening to calming music, and avoiding distractions while driving, you can maintain composure even in the most chaotic traffic situations.
You will be able to arrive at your destination safely and without feeling all worked up over something that isn’t worth ruining your day. Next time you hit the roads, practice these tips for peaceful driving!
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Patrick M. is Editorial Director for the always expanding DriveSafe Online library of courses. With over two decades of experience developing award-winning training, he now focuses on innovating online driver safety training. Pulling from his background in journalism, he steers the wheel behind the creation of top-tier content that promotes a better journey—whether on the digital highway of learning or the real roads we travel every day.