Around 82% of people admit to committing an act of road rage in a given year, reports Zebra, and over 12,600 injuries have been attributed to road rage over a seven-year time frame. Road rage is surprisingly common and often, very difficult to control among those who do not know how to regulate their anger. Aggression on the road leads to behaviors such as cutting off drivers, speeding, and worse. If you want to ensure that anger doesn’t get the better of you and you want to keep friends and family safe in your vehicle, the following tips may help.
Leaving Home Prepared
You cannot always control how other drivers behave but you can certainly manage what goes on in your own car. Sometimes, a small mishap during the morning can cause delays, anger, and panic. Think about the times you lost your keys, forgot that you had run out of gas, or experienced the results of failing to maintain your car well. All these can cause you to be in more of a rush and to be less patient with others on the road. To avoid last-minute problems, keep items such as keys in the same place every day. Avoid fuel oxidation and aging by never leaving it to stand still in your car for more than three weeks. On a specific day of every week, ensure you have enough fuel in your tank and set and follow a strict schedule for maintenance visits, fuel refills, tire changes, and similar.
Embracing Emotional Regulation Techniques
One of the most important techniques used by anger management coaches involves helping people identify their emotions—both positive and negative. You should be clued up to signs that you are a little nervous or ‘on the edge’. For instance, you may notice your heart racing, your ears may go red, and you may find that your breathing rate is faster. If so, invest just five minutes in a relaxation technique such as controlled breathing. Use an app like Breathe, Calm, or Headspace, all of which contain quick controlled breathing activities that will immediately bring your stress levels and breathing and heart rates down.
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Protect Yourself Against Angry Drivers
The road can be a very unpredictable place; one in which drivers who may be in the wrong still engage in shouting or cursing. During these moments, it can be very difficult to stay focused on the road. Unfortunately, you don’t know if the other driver is carrying an arm or is willing to resort to physical violence, cutting you off until you have to stop your vehicle and deal with their physical or verbal violence. Avoid confrontation by avoiding eye contact, focusing on the road ahead, and investing in a camera that can capture the driver’s license plate and conduct. Whatever you do, do not use your smartphone to record them as this is illegal, it could cause an accident, and it could result in the angry driver getting even more aggressive.
Road rage causes thousands of injuries every year. To avoid letting anger get the better of you, keep your car in good shape and plan your day well so you aren’t stressed when you leave home. Practice good emotional regulation skills and, when faced with an angry driver, don’t play their game. Prioritize getting to your destination in a healthy state.
By Jennifer Whittier
The mission of FOTR (Families On The Road) is to educate, inspire and support all families who choose to live a fulltime traveling lifestyle. Stay updated on everything going on in the FOTR Community!
