As drivers, you have seen it all; cursing, tailgating, cutting off, and the one fingered salute. Because of this, you know that how other people drive can have a big impact on how you drive, if you let it.
For example, the natural human reaction when someone wrongs us is to assume that they deserve the favor right back. But, as professional drivers, you also know and have seen that road rage can be dangerous and can cause more problems than it fixes.
Still, when the other driver is clearly being a bonehead, it can be difficult to remember to keep your cool. So here are some tips to help you keep calm and drive on.
BREATHE
First things first, remember to breathe. Yes, that driver is being a jerk and yes they deserve an earful for their unsafe incompetence on the roadways, but they can’t hear you anyway. Due to your skill, awareness, and defensive driving, you were able to avoid an accident or hazardous situation. You can take that as a victory and move on with your drive. Take a moment to breathe, cool your head, and avoid escalating a dangerous situation by choosing to not engage in retaliatory road rage.
IT’S NOTHING PERSONAL
Sometimes other drivers are in a hurry, angry at something else, or just plain did not see you. Whatever the reason for their automotive transgression against you, the chances that they saw you and thought, “hey, they look fun to annoy, I’m going to cut them off,” are pretty low.
Their bad driving is their fault, not yours. You can keep that in mind and move on in peace.
BE POLITE
As hard as it might be to be polite to the guy who just flipped you off, being the bigger person and yielding it an unsafe driver is your best option. Remember, the highways of America are dangerous enough as it is, and every day you can avoid increasing that risk can go down as a win for you.
Being a polite, kind, and courteous driver can only improve your mood and the other drivers around you. And perhaps your example of courteous driving will help them to remember we live in a good world that isn’t generally full of aggressive or vengeful drivers. Then, just maybe, they’ll return the favor to others in the future and help to ease the instances of road rage.
If these tips to cooling road rage do not help you keep calm on your drive, than perhaps you can just hope for the instant karma that caught up to this terrible driver.