We've all experienced a bit of road rage at some point, but it's essential that you don't let it affect your driving. When angry, we're more likely to take risks behind the wheel, putting ourselves and other road users in danger.
To ensure you stay as relaxed as possible when driving, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts gives a run-down of how to deal with road rage when on the road.
Road rage is a sudden outburst of anger when you're behind the wheel. It can range from rude gestures and insults to dangerous driving, putting you and other road users at risk.
As we're all different individuals, there isn't one cause of road rage. Whereas some drivers might get road rage after someone has cut them off, others might get it when they are stressed in their personal life.
However, there are some common causes of road rage that get most drivers ticking, including:
- Traffic congestion
- Hogging the middle lane
- Tailgating
- Driving way below the speed limit
- Flashing headlights
We all regret things we've said and done when angry, and driving with road rage is no different. It has a catastrophic impact on your driving and causes you to take more risks as you become more impatient.
If you're in a rush, road rage might lead you to start driving above the speed limit, honk your horn, and tailgate the person in front, which are all causes of road rage itself.
Like most things in life, we all have different coping mechanisms. But there are a few things that help to avoid road range:
- Deep breathing – Deep breathing is a classic technique to help calm yourself down. It enables more airflow into your body and helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Listening to music – Having your favourite playlist on can distract from negative emotions when driving, helping you stay calm and not let the actions of other drivers influence your decision-making. For playlist motivation, check out our blog, How to Create the Perfect Road Trips Playlist for Your Car.
- Taking a break – If you can feel your road rage building up, pull over to the side of the road and take a break. This will prevent an outburst on the road and help you calm down quicker.
- Maintain a positive attitude - Try to understand that other drivers may also be stressed and in a hurry. Practice mindfulness techniques to keep yourself calm in the moment and reduce stress.
It's also worth planning your journey to ensure you know where you're going. Stress massively contributes to road rage, so knowing the route and leaving plenty of time to your destination will help you avoid getting angry. You should also prevent driving during rush hour to avoid traffic congestion.
Finally, if you do feel yourself getting angry, remember to maintain a safe distance between the car in front and avoid confrontational behaviour. Tailgating and flashing your lights will only lead you and other road users to get more aggravated and won't help the situation at all.
Sometimes our emotions get the better of us, so how should we deal with road rage? The first step is to avoid confrontation with other road users. If someone else is getting on your nerves, try to diffuse the situation by avoiding eye contact, staying calm and polite, or calling for help if necessary.
A classic technique to also deal with road rage is counting to ten. Simple and effective, it helps to prevent immediate angry reactions and allows us to properly asses the situation.
If you find yourself in a confrontation with another motorist, make sure you pull over safely to avoid the situation. If it escalates, contact the relevant authorities, such as the police or the National Highways traffic officers.
Long-term strategies can also help dealing with road rage, such as:
- Regular exercise - Physical activity helps reduce overall stress levels and can make us less prone to anger outbursts.
- Professional help - If road rage significantly impacts your life, consider seeking help from a therapist or councillor.
How do you stay calm when behind the wheel? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produce regular blogs on how to stay safe on the roads, such as The Impact of Stress on Your Driving Performance and How to Deal with the Pressures of City Driving.
We are also one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers, offering a range of leasing deals to suit your every need. From our Fast Lease service to our Used Car Leasing, we'll have a deal you'll love. For more information, call us on 0345 811 9595.
