Tips for Responding to Road Rage

It happens too often.

We are driving, listening to the radio, enjoying the moment.  Then, we are shocked by an aggressive driver who cuts us off, nearly causing an accident. Or, maybe we are stopped at a light or stop sign and the driver behind us honks the horn, or makes us an obscene gesture.

It’s easy to get angry and react in a ramped up way. It’s normal, and for some, second nature, to shout back a few choice words or match the gesture. Let’s face it though — it may make us feel better for the moment, but it rarely changes a situation for the better.  And we are left with more anger, in what can possibly become a more dangerous situation.

It’s not easy to shrug off the desire to have an aggressive knee jerk reaction when we encounter hostility on the road (or anywhere, for that matter).  However, we don’t have to let these incidents ruin our day.  Instead, we can use these tips to help us move through and on:

Take a deep breath.

Repeat taking a deep breath.

Be aware that we cannot control the drivers around us.  We can control the way they affect our well being.

Before we react we need to ask ourselves, “is getting back at that jerk worth my life?”

If we continue to be harassed by the other drive, and perhaps be followed, we can try to find the nearest police or fire department.  We cannot retaliate, and it is important to avoid taking the other driver’s action personally. They are engaged in road rage; we do not have to engage in their road rage.