Road rage is a form of anger that reveals itself when we are behind the wheel. It can make us do things and force us to react in ways we wouldn’t normally. While there is nothing very wrong with anger as an emotion, it can become a danger for us and for others when we are driving.
So let us take some time to understand the science behind road rage.
Understanding Road Rage
Drivers indulge in road rage when they are bothered by a specific event- perhaps the action of another driver like driving too slow or constantly honking at our car. How we respond to these triggers depends on a number of factors:
- Age, gender, belief or mood
- Contextual stressors like traffic, time pressure, weather, etc.
- Personal interpretation of the incident: personalizing the action (“oh, he’s trying to cut me off!”), catastrophising, over- generalizing and standard violations
- Other factors like the inability to communicate in another way
People demonstrate a range of behaviors as a result of anger, or road rage, such as over-honking, abusing, tail-gating, abusing and making foul gestures. All of these behaviors eventually lead to a more escalated scene of events like pulling over to fight or worse, kill the other person.
Many mild-tempered people also admit that they have a tendency to lose their temper when they take control of the driving wheel. As people get hormonal and egoistic about their space (on the road), they demonstrate such lack of emotional intelligence. According to a study, more than half of all drivers are estimated to have experienced road rage at one point or another but not everyone goes and hits the other car or puts a gun to the offender’s head.
How to take Control over Road Rage?
Clearly road rage can be harmful, for both the driver and others. So it is imperative that we learn how to control it and take charge of our road rage. Recent psychological interventions show that there are ways to not be swept up by the rage.
Here are five suggestions on dealing with the said problem:
Don’t fall for the illusion of personal control
Understand and accept that you are not better than all the drivers out there and it is not entirely impossible for you to falter on the road. So be aware of your driving and that of others as well.
Remember that everyone is human
It is important to remember that everyone around you is human, and so are you. Nobody behind the wheel was born perfect, and everyone is trying to do their best. Remember that you are not alone in the traffic; they are also stuck with you.
Have some perspective and be forgiving
As humans, we are all prone to errors and it is only kind to just accept that perhaps the other person did not maliciously plot to offend us. Be considerate and don’t let somebody else affect you so much.
Practice stress breathing
Reduce your physiological arousal associated with anger. Take a moment to slow down and breathe the tension away. Inhale for a count to four and then exhale for a count to four. Repeat the cycle till your nerves calm down.
Put pictures of your loved ones on your dashboard
Indulging in dangerous road rage can be risky for both you and others. Let the faces of your cherished ones remind you that you want to return home to them, and you want others to return to their loved ones too.
Finally, the easiest, possibly the best way to give yourself the time and room for dealing with road rage is to find yourself a driving school that helps you become a good, compassionate, driver.
Jacob’s driving school in Phoenix, Arizona provides a complete driving solution to all struggling drivers. Whether you are looking for a driving school in Peoria or a driving school Avondale, we’re waiting for you at Phoenix with the best set of driving instructors and a number of courses. Book your seat now and wash away the tension that comes when you’re behind the wheel!
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