Road rage happens to all of us. We’ve all been there, right? You woke up to the dog getting sick on the floor, the coffee maker went on the fritz, and you’re running late for work. Now, to top it all off, some yutz just cut you off on the highway. You’ve run out of patience, and it isn’t even 8AM yet. Time to let this idiot know exactly what you think about his driving skills, as well as his car, his spouse, and his entire lineage.
What happens next could amount to absolutely nothing. Or, it could derail your entire day and end with you in custody, in the hospital, or in the morgue.
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While road rage has been a thing seemingly forever, I feel like it has gotten progressively worse in the last 15-20 years. Correlation doesn’t always indicate causation, but it might be worth noting that social media’s presence in our lives has ramped up during that same time frame.
It’s easy to say the first thing that comes to mind when you’re just typing on your phone. However, if you grow accustomed to spouting off at strangers online with zero repercussions, it may be surprising to learn that when those folks can actually reach out and touch you, they might not hesitate to express their displeasure with your commentary.
Controlling Your Road Rage
Listen, I’m the first to admit that I have very little patience for others when I’m behind the wheel. For example, I firmly believe that the drive-thru lane is not the place for you to weigh the pros and cons of major life decisions. If you don’t know what you want, park somewhere and look up the menu online.
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Anyway, I digress. Here are some strategies for how you can handle road rage when it starts to bubble up.
Don’t take it personally. Odds are pretty good that the person who cut you off doesn’t know you and isn’t trying to ruin your day. It could very well be that they themselves are having a rotten morning, and they didn’t even notice you.
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Take some deep breaths. Box breathing is a great way to keep your emotions in check. Breathe in, counting slowly to four in your mind as you do so. Hold that breath for another count of four. Slowly breathe out and count to four. Then wait one more four count before breathing in again.
Practice defensive driving. We were all taught this when we were learning how to drive, right? Pay attention to the drivers around you. Leave plenty of space between you and them. Be prepared to react to sudden lane changes and whatnot.
Get in the habit of giving yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination. Pay attention to the clock so you aren’t rushing at the last minute to get out the door.
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What If You’re the Target?
The flip side to all of this is when you’re out there minding your own business, and suddenly you’re in the crosshairs for someone else’s road rage. That’s not a fun place to be, as you have no idea what might be coming next.
Here are some things you can do.
If you screwed up, such as you drifted into another lane without realizing it, cop to it. A gentle wave and nod to acknowledge you were at fault can go a long way toward defusing the situation.
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Don’t match their energy. Let them vent and move on. Avoid getting into a shouting match, as nothing good will come of it. Whatever you do, don’t pull to the side of the road and get out of your car.
If you feel like you’re in real danger, such as if they seem to be following you, stick to public areas and call the police. Do not just drive home. No sense giving them an address to visit later.
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