Road rage is unfortunately a very common thing to encounter while you’re driving. It comes in many different forms and aggression levels, but it’s always frustrating to deal with. However, it’s always best to avoid retaliation. How do you spot people driving with road rage? How do you deal with them? Can you prevent your own road rage? Let’s talk about it.
What is road rage?
The dictionary definition says that road rage is “a fit of violent anger by the driver of an automobile, especially one directed toward and endangering other motorists or pedestrians.” According to this definition, it can include anything from yelling and cussing to intentionally swerving or trying to run another car off the road. Some road ragers are more aggressive than others, and you never really know what a person is capable of.
How do you spot it on the road?
Due to the intensity spectrum of people’s rage, it can either be really easy or really difficult to determine when someone is experiencing road rage. Some indicators include obscene gestures (like the middle finger), quickly merging lanes, tailgating, and horn honking. If you spot any of these behaviors, it’s a good idea to be extra careful around that driver. They may end up taking their anger too far and cause a very dangerous situation.
How can you avoid drivers with road rage?
The biggest thing to remember when dealing with raging drivers is to give them space. Don’t try to provoke them, as this can put your life in danger. Instead, if they try to merge in front of you, leave them enough space to do so. Don’t follow them too closely; they could slam on their breaks and cause an accident. If someone starts trying to provoke you, no matter how difficult it may be, try not to let their actions affect you. By not reacting, not only are you being the bigger person, but you’re keeping yourself and those around you much safer.
What should you do when you start getting irritated?
If you start feeling angry towards other drivers, you have a few different options. One would be to distance yourself from those drivers as much as possible. Whether that means pulling off at the nearest exit or slowing down to let cars pass you, do whatever will diffuse the situation best. Additionally, use common coping mechanisms to help calm down. Breathe deeply, direct your thoughts to the trip you’re on, and allow yourself to step away from the situation. If necessary, pull into a parking lot and sit for a while to calm down. It’s much better than retaliating.
Overall, road rage is something that happens often but isn’t talked about enough. It can be incredibly frustrating and difficult to deal with, but the bottom line is that it isn’t worth it to take your anger out on the road. If you struggle with road rage or encounter a driver who does, do your best to stay calm. Your calmness will keep you safe.
Here at RV Transport Life, we do our best to provide resources, information, and advice to drivers in the RV industry. We hope our tips can be of use on your next road trip. We wish you safe travels!
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