Unfortunately it happens (Road Rage)

Member Name: jpegington

Product:	Road Rage
Date:	03/02/07 (108 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Be nicer to everyone.

Road Rage is a subject that is not a really pleasant one to discuss. It seems to happen a lot in a minor way, but not very often in a particular nasty way.

However, I get ahead of myself, firstly What is Road Rage?

Road Rage is a condition which can affect just about anyone, it is a condition where, while you are driving you just lose control of yourself and snap. Now a Wikipedia defuinition of Road Rage is:

"Road rage (also road violence) is the informal name for deliberately dangerous and/or violent behaviour under the influence of heightened, violent emotion such as anger and frustration, with regard to the use of automobiles."

Now have I ever suffered from Road Rage?

Actually YES, I was punched in the face once when I was much younger (about 18) by another driver for what I assume he thought was because I cut him up. It was not particularly pleasant but anyway so be it.

Have I ever done Road Rage?

Well if you mean by the violent kind where I have punched someone or deliberately cut them up, then NO, however I have become angry when driving and wanted to scream at another driver. However I would definetely not take it another level as I am not violent in that kinda way.

Now it is clear that Road Rage can happen and my tips for staying clear of Road Rage is firstly, when driving, drive in a manner where you consider other drivers as yourself. That means, when you are in a hurry and you are desperate to pass the slow driver in front, rather than undercut them, wait until you have a safe option to do so, this should mean that in the long run, you should not be exposed to Road Rage from other angry drivers.

Also, when you are cut up (as it happens to all of us at some time), consider the issue of slamming your hands down onto your horn and showing the finger and consider what could be the reaction back! Yes we need to let off steam when we are cut up, but you don't want to give other drivers an excuse to get mad back at you.

Eye contact can also be a dumb move when someone is being aggresive to you and conducting Road Rage as this can spur them on and cause them to get even more violent. I would recommend locking your doors and try to move on to a safe location (ouside police stations are usually recommended as a good location, but generally a place with loads of people is usually a good bet).

Now for those people who have a temper or who are capable of doing Road Rage, consider at all times when you are driving the fact that you have the capability of being violent / aggresive and fight the urge. This could involve deep breaths, soothing music, etc, anything that might cause you to relax.

All in all, I recommend that everyone when driving should try to consider other drivers first and drive in a way that considers other drivers as you would like to be considered. This should reduce the opportunities for Road Rage and help everyone to be nicer to each other.

However I expect that that is just a complete pipe dream.

Summary: Lets just all drive much nicer.