Road Rage: Tips for Keeping Your Cool Around Hot Tempers
Posted by
Nick AvgerinosJune 03, 2008 10:32 AMWe all know the feeling: a vehement and venomous passion directed toward the unidentified driver who just jilted our rightful place in the world of motor vehicles. It could be a seasoned cab driver or a new soccer mom. Either way, the road rage is the same. Bad drivers are lurking everywhere, from the streets of Chicago to suburban church parking lots: the Ford flying up the shoulder in a traffic jam; the Saturn sitting through an entire green arrow; the BMW riding your bumper for no apparent reason.
Just this past week, a taxicab driver was cited for negligent driving after his vehicle went in reverse, striking a light pole and at least two pedestrians during the morning rush outside Union Station. According to AP, the driver was getting out of his cab when he realized it was in reverse and accidentally hit the accelerator rather than the brake. Why the rush to get out? Witnesses say that there was an argument between two cabbies. And with the amount of road rage those guys must deal with daily, it’s no surprise.
While I can certainly sympathize with such frustration, maybe we should take a good look in the rearview mirror and consider how we can improve the situation. You may have heard the saying that anyone driving faster than you is a jerk and anyone driving slower is an idiot. Where does that leave you? The lone person on the road who is neither a jerk nor an idiot? To take a cue from the Magic 8 ball: signs point to no.
It’s important to censor yourself before someone gets hurt…or a lawsuit gets started. A few years back the National News Desk blawgged about a Florida man who was awarded $6 million in a road rage case. So, what can you do to keep calm? The website Roadragers.com provides some helpful tips for keeping your cool when tempers get hot:
- Be a cautious and courteous driver. Avoid creating a situation that may provoke another motorist.
- Don’t tailgate.
- If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let the driver by.
- Don't make inappropriate hand or facial gestures.
- Use your horn sparingly. The horn is a communication device. Try not to use it to "punish" an aggressive driver because you only draw their attention to you.
- If you do encounter an angry aggressive driver, don’t make matters worse by triggering a confrontation. Avoid eye contact and steer clear, giving angry drivers plenty of room.
- It is a good idea to put as much distance between you and the aggressive driver as possible.
When in doubt, take a moment and collect yourself. Even if your knuckles are turning white from gripping the steering wheel, it’s best to take your mom’s advice here; if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.