There's a good chance that you've seen or experienced road rage if you spend a lot of time driving for work or leisure.Road rage involves losing your temper over traffic-related situations and includes behaviors like obscene or provocative gestures, yelling, cursing, and tailgating.It can include stopping your car and yelling at another driver.In some cases, physical violence is involved, which is something you want to avoid.Accidents and acts of violence on the road can be prevented by learning how to keep yourself calm and de-escalate someone else's road rage.
Step 1: Be aware of your anger.
The physical symptoms of anger include voice tone, language, and gestures.When you mentally check in on yourself, you'll learn to recognize the warning signs of anger.Common signs of anger include angry thoughts, headaches, and elevated heart rate.You may be experiencing elevated anger if you catch yourself speaking out loud about another driver.You can prevent anger from turning into aggression by catching yourself first.
Step 2: Relax and take time to think.
It's best to pull over if you notice you're angry.Pull over to the shoulder of the road only if it's safe to do so, and put your vehicle in park.Before you return to the road, take a few minutes to collect your thoughts and calm yourself down.You can calm your mind and body by practicing deep breathing.You should remember that driving while angry puts you and others at risk.If you're not yet experiencing full-blown road rage, your anger may cause you to drive recklessly and take unnecessary risks.
Step 3: Deep-breathing techniques can be used.
When you feel angry or tense, using deep-breathing exercises can help you calm down.Deep breathing can be done while you're sitting or driving.Over a five-second span, take a long, slow inhale.Don't just take shallow breaths in your chest, make sure you're breathing into your belly and below your ribs.Exhale slowly after holding your breath for five seconds.
Step 4: Listen to calming music.
If you can relax without being distracted, listening to soothing music is a good way to do so.Music can help you focus and calm down.Try keeping a few relaxing CDs in an easy to reach spot in your car, or keep your radio tuning to a station that plays calming music.That way you don't have to take your eyes off the road.Determine what types of music are relaxing for you.Try jazz, oldies, and classical music.Don't listen to fast-paced, aggressive, or angsty music while driving.
Step 5: You should count until you calm down.
Someone in your family or a character in a movie or TV show is trying to avoid getting angry.It is an old trick to calm down and prevent an angry reaction.For about a minute, count upwards.If you focus on your breathing and counting, you'll be able to stop thinking about the person who hurt you.Count for another minute if you don't feel better after a minute.You have to stop thinking angry thoughts for your rage to pass.
Step 6: Try "hand yoga".
Hand yoga is the act of stretching and relaxing the muscles in your hands.For some people, taking your hands off the wheel is an excellent way to relieve stress, just be sure to only do it when your car is stopped in traffic or at a red light.Spread your fingers and stretch out both hands.Hold this position for a few seconds.Push your thumb to Curl each finger into your palm.Hold it and let it go.To "shake out" the muscles and joints, bend each knuckle individually.
Step 7: You should resist the urge to retaliate.
If someone cuts you off or drives too slowly, your first reaction may be to scream, curse, or use profanity.This may make you feel better for an instant, but it will almost certainly make the other driver angry, and could set you both on a rage-filled path.Don't make inflammatory gestures.Extending your middle finger is one of the things this can include.A violent reaction may result from each of these.Try not to shout or scream.If you shout words at another driver and his window is open, there is a chance that he will respond with aggression.
Step 8: You should keep your distance.
Some people tailgate when they are cut off by other drivers.This move could be dangerous.It could also cause the other driver's anger, as tailgating increases the risk of an accident.The four-second rule is used.When the car ahead of you passes a sign or lamp post, count and slow down so you don't pass it until at least four seconds later.
Step 9: Stay calm, stay calm.
You may feel scared or anxious if someone is swerving towards you.It's important that you stay calm and do whatever you can to get home safely.When others act aggressively, keep your own emotions in check.Understand how you're feeling and drive defensively.Try to keep calm by making yourself more comfortable.If you can do it safely, turn on the air conditioning and adjust your seating position.It's just traffic at the end of the day.If you lose your temper, someone else's bad driving could ruin your life.
Step 10: Don't make eye contact.
Make sure you avoid eye contact with someone who is showing signs of aggression, such as waving a horn or driving aggressively.Eye contact with an enraged driver can be seen as a sign of aggression and could lead to more attacks.If the other car is trying to pass you, put your signal on.Your eyes should be on the road.Don't look in the other driver's direction.
Step 11: Drive defensively.
It's best to let someone pass by if they are acting aggressively.If the driver is in front of you, you can keep an eye on him.He could try to escalate things if he's behind you.Allow the aggressive driver to pass you.If someone wants to merge into your lane, let them.You should be able to do so safely.Keeping your eyes on the road at all times will help you avoid sudden braking.Don't tailgate.Don't block traffic, it may cause other drivers to get angry or impatient.
Step 12: The benefit of doubt is given to others.
When another driver cuts you off, changes lanes without signaling, or engages in any other perceived act of aggression, you may assume that person is showing you hostility.It's possible that the other driver made a mistake.He may be distracted by a pending family emergency or he may not have seen you.He's on his way to the hospital, not to get you.Even behind the wheel, humans are capable of making mistakes.You've probably made a few of your own.Extreme situations like poor health or the death of a loved one can cause people to act out in ways they wouldn't normally do.Remember that someone may be experiencing something you're not aware of, so don't assume someone is driving aggressively or making a rude gesture.
Step 13: If you need help, get it.
If someone is following you and planning to engage in an act of aggression, don't go home or to work.If you let the driver know where you live or work, it would make you an easy target for violence.If you know the police can help you, try to get someplace safe where there are a lot of people.Your windows should roll up if you keep your car doors locked.No matter how much another driver tries to antagonize you, don't get out of the car.No matter how late you are, take a detour to get somewhere safe.Go to the nearest police station.If the other driver is going to assault you in front of the police station, he'll think twice before doing so.You can call the police if you can't get to a police station.If someone is following you, you need to call the police, even if you don't talk on the phone.
Step 14: Don't forget to keep your priorities in mind.
It may be tempting to respond to someone's aggression with anger.This is not worth the risk.Many people are injured or killed in road rage exchanges.If you respond to anger with anger, it will add fuel to the fire.It's possible to keep an image of a loved one on your dashboard.If you get arrested for assault or killed by someone else's violent behavior, this can help remind you of everything you'd lose.Aggressive behavior can lead to injury or death.It isn't worth the risk.Driving is not a competition.Everyone on the road wants to get home to their loved ones.
Step 15: Before driving, check your mood.
A minor traffic incident could set you off if you leave your home or workplace in an angry, irritated, or upset mood.If you wait until you're calm enough to drive, you can prevent road rage.Before you start the car, do a mental and emotional check-in with yourself.Do you think anything has happened to you in the last few hours?You might argue with your partner or neighbor if you're leaving from home.It could mean a lot of things if you leave work.Determine how you are handling stressors in your day.Have you ever lost your temper, grown impatient with others, or had an angry thought about another person?Before you drive, find ways to calm down.Try to go for a short walk to clear your head if you can.Try to sit in your car and meditate for a few minutes.
Step 16: When you are awake and sober, drive.
Being too tired can lead to a loss of emotional control, which can have ramifications when you're behind the wheel.In addition to being well-rested and wakeful, it's important to always drive sober as alcohol can lower your inhibitions and make you feel angry.Hunger can cause frustrated drivers to experience road rage, so keep snacks in your car.It's the safest way to travel if you're well-rested, fed, and sober.
Step 17: You should give yourself more time.
Give yourself more time for traffic if you're going somewhere important.If you get stuck in traffic, you will be less likely to engage in road rage behavior.You know you should leave early to manage your commute time, but figuring out traffic may be more difficult.Check your local Department of Transportation, police reports, and news updates for any information on current traffic patterns near you.You might not know about an accident or construction work.Commuters can use a travel time calculator on some DOT websites.Cross-check your commute with relevant traffic updates when you use the calculator, as it asks where you're leaving from, what time you need to arrive by, and so on.
Step 18: It's a good idea to avoid traffic whenever possible.
You are limited in your travel options if you live in a rural area.You may be able to find a detour around the traffic that's waiting up ahead if you live in a more urban area.You may qualify for the car pool lane if you are traveling with at least one other passenger.Some places require a minimum of three people in a car.Avoid peak traffic times.From one city to the next, traffic is at its worst between 7 and 10 AM and from 3 to 7 PM.Use traffic apps.You can be diverted to avoid traffic jams.It's a good idea to set it up before you drive, as it could cause an accident if you use your phone while driving.
Step 19: Take public transportation.
Don't drive in traffic if you want to prevent road rage.There's a good chance that you have access to an affordable public transit system if you live in a big city.If you don't live in a major metropolitan area like New York City, your city most likely has an extensive network of bus routes, light transit rails, and subway lines.Taking public transportation reduces stress.While the driver deals with traffic, you can read, listen to music, or simply tune out.When compared to the cost of gas and parking, taking a bus/subway may be cheaper than driving.If your city's public transit lines don't run right to your block, you can walk or bike to the nearest transit stop.If you want to drive to your nearest subway/light rail stop, your community may have park-and-ride options.You can check your city's public transportation options by searching online.