Road rage is terrible! We’ve all experienced it in one way or another, and sometimes the traffic just gets the best of us. We’re here to explain some of the best tricks we’ve found to keep that anger at bay during your commute.
Plan Ahead
We know this sounds obvious, but planning ahead is really the best way to avoid a headache in the morning, or whatever time you’re venturing out. Allowing yourself some extra time can account for unexpected interruptions in your regular route. You also won’t have to worry about getting caught in any construction or if you get stuck behind a slow driver who seems to be taking their sweet time.
The important point to take away here is: don’t rush. Whether you’re going to visit a friend, or off to an important business meeting, take your time. If you think you’re going to be late, it’s better to just accept the fact and move on.
Thoughts like: If I rush, maybe I can make it on time, or maybe if this person ahead of me wasn’t driving so slow, I might get to work sooner, are not very helpful and will definitely leave you feeling frustrated.
Consider Your Music Choice
You may be surprised, but there are actual studies that show listening to certain music in the morning can create more stress. According to a study done in the UK, drivers found that the tempo of certain songs influenced their driving. For example, faster songs can lead to more excitement and could cause a person to concentrate less on the road.
Why not skip music altogether and listen to a podcast? Some even argue that listening to them can make you smarter. Instead of listening to the same playlist on repeat, switch up your listening routine and give a podcast a try. We suggest staying away from controversial or political topics (for obvious reasons) and they just might calm your nerves while you’re on the road.
Keep Your Cool
If you’re staying calm, cool, and collected, chances are, a stressful situation will not spiral out of control. If you display angry behaviour by honking your horn, cutting someone off, tailgating a slower driver, or the worst yet, giving someone the finger; you’re just adding fuel to the fire.
As in any situation that makes you angry, it’s difficult to take a step back and recollect yourself, however, it could prevent an accident from happening. Researchers from the AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety have found aggressive driving plays a role in 66% of traffic fatalities.
Stay safe and keep your anger at bay. That guy who’s driving too slow in front of you isn’t worth totalling off your vehicle or injuring yourself from following too close. We can almost guarantee he won’t speed up anyway. Check out these tips from WikiHow to relax while driving.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
At the end of the day, everyone’s goal is to stay safe on the road. No one wakes up in the morning and wants to experience road rage. Do your best to stay calm in stressful situations, give yourself plenty of time, and consider switching up your tunes and you’ll be on your way to your destination argument-free. Why start your day off in a bad mood because of a stranger in another vehicle?
If you happen to get into an accident caused by road rage, don’t panic. Follow these simple steps and give us a call for any repairs your vehicle may need.
