You’re running late for work, you have to get off at the next exit, and someone won’t let you over. Needless to say you are really ticked off. What do you do? Do you turn on your signal and wait for someone to let you over? Or do you force your vehicle into the lane you want to be in, flip the finger to the insensitive jerk that wouldn’t let you over and enjoy the symphony of car horns you leave in your wake?
If you find that you relate the second response more than the first, chances are you may have some issues with aggressive driving. Most people do, so don’t feel alone in your frustration, and while you may admit that sometimes you get a little testy behind the wheel, more than likely you think others are much worse. So just where does your style of driving fit in?
Dr. Leon James (Dr. Driving) and Dr. Arnold Nerenberg (America’s Road Rage Therapist) along with the American Institute for Public Safety have designed a test to determine your level of driving aggression. Take the RoadRageous self test now.
What Is Aggressive Driving And How Does It Differ From True Road Rage?
Many people feel that speeding, tailgating, and excessive horn blowing are examples of road rage, but in fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these practices fall only under the aggressive driving label. While they can be dangerous, and a driver can receive a traffic citation for them, they are not true “road rage.” An example of criminally punishable road rage would be if that inconsiderate jerk, the one that you flipped the finger to, were to catch up with you at the next red light and harm you or your property either with their person or their vehicle; that would be rage. Chances are good that they were already an aggressive driver, much like you, and you actions pushed them past their breaking point.
How Can Someone Prevent Aggressive Driving and Ultimately Road Rage?
The only way to 100% guarantee that you will not drive aggressively and/or cause your, or another person’s road rage is to not drive. This is not something that most people see as a practical solution, so the following are smaller, simpler solutions that you can use to prevent your road frustrations:
Eat, Sleep, And You Will Be Merry
When your mother told you to get a full nights rest and eat a good breakfast in the mornings she was not just preparing you for the test that you had to take in school that day, she was preparing you for life. Many health awareness originations such as AARP, and AMA site the links between sleeplessness and sleep disorders with being a cause of irritation. When you are tired, your body has an inability to focus on important tasks such as driving. New York State, one of the most vehicle traffic heavy states, reports that on average almost three thousand people are involved in accidents where they felt tried for drowsy. Combine that lack of focus with irritation and you are more likely to make poor driving choices. The same is true of someone who is hungry. You body requires energy to process information. A person is more likely to be uncomfortable and irritable when his or her own gas tanks are running low or on empty. Be sure to fill both your car’s tank and your own before setting out on the roads.
Make That Pit Stop
If you know that there is a good chance that you are going to be stuck in that hour plus rush hour traffic, make sure that you make a quick pit stop in your restroom before you head out onto the road. There is nothing worse that having the “I have to go” feeling pressing on your bladder and your mind.
Be A Weather Watcher
Take time the night before to check out the local weather forecast. Being prepared for possible inclement weather may allow you to prepare yourself for increased traffic. Bad weather and it effects on human emotions and moods have been studied for years. Kelley Colihan, author of “How the Weather Affects Our Moods”, reports that with high levels of humidity, for example, people to feel irritable and their reaction time is slowed; Two items that are a perfect recipe for an aggressive driver. If you can mentally prepare yourself for the stress that bad weather and your commute may present, you are less likely to get upset at your fellow motorists.
Know Your Way
If you have lived in your area for a while, you are familiar with the side streets and back roads that could save you time on your commute. You probably already utilize the shortest route, but like all things in life, cities and towns grow. With that growth comes road construction. There is a high likely hood that at some point in your driving career this issue will prolong your drive. Knowing alternate routes that will allow you to bypass the road blocks will not only save you time, but some sanity.
Listen, Watch, and Learn
Most large cities have government traffic cameras that can track the areas of high congestion. You can usually access this information by logging onto your local municipality’s web sight. If you find yourself already on the roads with taillights beginning to light up in front of you, most local radio stations will air traffic reports and updates on regular intervals during the rush hours. Checking a traffic camera, or tuning into the radio reports may save you from driving down an already backed road. Just as with planning for weather, and knowing other routes to drive, knowing which areas may be blocked by an accident or other issue will prevent your frustrations from being exasperated.
To Rock or Not to Rock
You have just had what could easily be one of the worst days of your life. You feel like maybe a drive will help you to figure out what your next step is going to be. Before you pop in that angry hard rock CD that will reflect your mood, take the following into consideration. Music has a profound effect on how we feel. Music can actually produce or elevate moods in individuals. (Shcherer & Zentner). If you drive around town with your anger smoldering, there is a high likelihood that hard, angry, fast beat will just make things worse. If you find yourself in a particular irate, or incensed mood, try listening to public radio, or books on tape. This even tone type of listening will allow your brain to focus on something other than the situation that has you so riled. If you still feel that you need some kind of melody to soothe your savage beast, try a slower, quieter genera. Volume is another factor to consider. Keep the decibel levels lower. This is not only healthier for you, but it is less annoying for the drivers around you.
Time Is On Your Side
As with most things in life anything worth having is worth waiting for. This includes your life and sanity. You know exactly how long it takes to get to work, but you cannot always predict everything that may affect your commute. Make sure that if you come across something you had not planned for, you will have enough time to either wait for the issue to clear up, or find another way to where you are going. Most people find that allowing themselves an additional five to ten minuets will greatly reduce their anxiety about being late. A less anxious driver is less likely to drive aggressively and be the cause of his or her own, or someone else’s, rage on the roads.
Remember What You Learned In Driver’s Ed.
Do you remember all those short, boring, often extremely cheesy instructional videos you were forced to watch while attending your driver’s education courses? While the clothing choices of the actors in the videos was likely outdated and the butt of many jokes by students and instructors alike, the information was good. Remember to always use turn signals, be courteous to the other drivers; don’t run red lights, and most importantly – practice defensive driving. Just because the car in front or to the side of you is going ten miles over the speed limit does not mean you have to do the same. According to the American Institute for Public Safety (AIPS) competitive driving is one of the leading causes of aggressive driving and ultimately road rage.
Your Vehicle Is Not A Therapist.
It is not usual to get behind the wheel of a car, truck, or SUV, and think about punching the accelerator down in an attempt to outdrive your feelings. Not only is this illegal, it is dangerous for you and everyone else on the road. Likewise, shouting out load at your dashboard, yourself in the rearview mirror, or even to someone on a mobile phone will take away concentration from what you should be doing – Driving. Take moments to calm yourself before getting behind the wheel. Count to ten, scream into a pillow, or take a jog around the block, but do your best to leave your emotions on the curb.
Everyone makes mistakes – Don’t Judge
It can be hard to admit, but everyone will make a mistake while driving. It is an inevitable fact of operating a motor vehicle. Most of the time you will drive without problems, and you will notice all the other, sometimes stupid and reckless, mistakes. It is important to keep in mind that while being cut off in traffic may be annoying and even freighting; there is no need for hostility. More than likely you will make the same choice – or mistake – at some point. The old adage about treating others as you wish to be treated applies to driving as well. Just as you would not want to have someone tailgate you for the next mile for accidently cutting him or her off, don’t do it to the person committing an offense against you.
Happy Motoring!
Sources:
AGGRESSIVE DRIVING FACT-TIP SHEET WITH TALKING POINTS. www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/aggressive/.
American Institute for Public Safety. www.aipsnews.com
Colihan, Kelley. http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20081016/how-the-weather-affects-our-moods“> How the Weather affects Our Moods www.webmd.com/balance/news/.
Dr. Leon James, Dr. Arnold Nerenberg. Are you RoadRageous www.aipsnews.com
http://www.safeny.com/drow-ndx.htm”> Drowsey Driving & Fatiguewww.safeny.com
Irritability Health Encyclopedia – Irritability. www.symptomchecker.aarp.org
Juslin, P.N. & Sloboda, J.A. (ed.) (2001) Music and emotion: theory and research. Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press.
Medical Conditions and Medications That May Impair Driving. www.ama-assn.org
