Road Rage

There are many variables that determine whether or not you’ll have a car accident. Some depend on the vehicle or the place, and others depend on the driver. The driver’s experience is very important, as well as how skilled they are behind the wheel. However, the driver’s personality and emotional state also play an important role. Poor impulse control and negativity can often lead to road rage.

In that vein, one problem that’s directly related to this is road rage. If the person who’s driving is in a bad mood or in a negative frame of mind, that increases the risks of a traffic accident.

Impulsivity behind the wheel

For some people, driving is more than a simple means of transportation. In fact, for many people, their car is like their second home because they spend so much time there. Their car is like a metal shield. The driver feels protected because it makes them feel immune to outside aggression.

People with road rage tend to have an impulsive personality. When they get into their car, their negative attitude leads them to do things that go against social norms and behavior.

If you have a hostile personality and you’re in a stressful situation, odds are you won’t react well. That’s what happens with people with road rage. As you can see, it isn’t just the individual’s temperament. External factors also come into play. Things such as outside noise, the state of the road, or the weather can all affect an already angry driver.

Road rage: External factors

External factors related to road rage are the things that are happening that the driver can’t control. For example, traffic jams, no parking spaces, or people breaking traffic laws.

These things can increase the driver’s stress and anxiety. That will, in turn, increase their hostile behavior and give them road rage. However, not everyone needs significant external stimuli to become violent at the wheel. The decisive factor in whether or not the driver will respond aggressively is their emotional state.

Road rage: Internal factors

The internal factors have to do with the driver’s mental and physical state. In other words, their emotional state and ability to  concentrate on what they’re doing.

For example, if you wake up in a bad mood that stresses you out or makes you angry first thing in the morning, you’re more likely to have road rage. That same stimulus can provoke different reactions, depending on the driver’s emotional state. A driver who cuts you off and then immediately apologizes for their behavior is very different than a driver who uses rude language and reacts violently.

8 keys to help you avoid road rage

To prevent your anger from taking over while you’re driving, keep the following suggestions in mind:

• Respect traffic laws. Not only will you be less likely to have an accident, but you won’t provoke hostility in other drivers and pedestrians.
• Control the helplessness and anger you feel when other drivers do stupid things. Will yelling at them and insulting them really solve anything?
• Be polite while you’re driving, just like you are when you aren’t at the wheel.
• Remember that the road you’re driving on is for everyone. As such, there are a set of rules that everyone has to respect. We share the road with thousands of people who are also in a rush, tired of driving, and fed up with traffic jams and impatient drivers. Respecting everyone on the road is crucial.
• Remember that driving a car isn’t a competition. It’s a means of transportation.
• Practice tolerance and solidarity when you’re behind the wheel.
• Plan your trip ahead of time. Figure out a realistic travel time and add some extra time in case you encounter traffic jams or accidents. If you have plenty of time, you’re less likely to get stressed or anxious.
• Make sure the environment inside your car is calm and peaceful. Avoid loud noises, arguments, or yelling. That will help you feel more relaxed and you’ll be more likely to drive better.

Driver’s education is a solution to road rage

On the road, as in life, you don’t know everyone’s circumstances. You can’t know if the driver in front of you has had a bad day or has a headache. Remember that everyone is different and not everyone has the same experience on the road. Some people don’t have very fast reflexes or they simply get distracted. The important thing is that everyone behaves in a respectful and polite manner.

Experts believe that the solution to road rage is a better driver’s education. They think we need clear messages that reach the general population, especially the little ones. They also say that schools need to include this subject. We should be explaining the consequences of violating traffic laws to young children.

Lastly, driver’s education has to start at home. It’s a perfect way to avoid road rage and make sure that that’s not the example we’re setting for our children.