The Psychology Behind Road Rage & How Best to Manage It

Driving is a big responsibility; you’re in control of a multi-ton vehicle which can make you feel superhuman or even invincible. Seeing road rage and experiencing road rage can be two sides of the same coin. Both can lead to incidents of reckless driving and with multiple convictions, SR22 insurance may become mandatory, which can lead to substantially higher car insurance premiums.

Unfortunately, with the pace of the world ever-increasing, road rage has become a regular occurrence, an almost expected aspect of driving life. Every day we are likely to encounter one or more of these aggressive behaviors:

• Drivers changing lanes with no signals
• Drivers racing each other down the highway with no regard to anyone else
• Weaving dangerously across many lanes of traffic
• Speeding up to block you from merging or changing lanes
• Tailgating
• Flashing high beams
• Flipping fingers
• Screaming and cursing

In the past, road rage seemed to be purely a “male” issue, but these days, even the ladies are getting in on the aggression. But, why is the aggression there at all?

With more stress on people, their frustration and disappointment can easily culminate into aggression when they get behind the wheel. It turns into a need for control, and to lash out at other drivers, who they feel intentionally or unintentionally, invade their space. It may also stem from a need to feel superior and even a narcissistic entitlement to the road.

If you are someone who turns from an even-tempered Dr. Jekyll into a beast-like Hyde when they ease into the driver’s seat, there are some strategies to remember and employ before heading out.

• Do your best to be on time. Right from the start, if you give yourself extra time, you won’t have to worry about traffic being slow or a bit heavy.
  
• When something upsets you, be mindful about calming down. It’s bound to happen at some point. Someone cuts you off or floats you the bird for a mistake you unintentionally made. Instead of engaging by making eye contact with them or loudly offering your colorful side of things, sit back in your seat, find a song you like on the radio, and take deep breaths to calm down.
  
• Practice patience. Just because everyone else is rushing along doesn’t mean you have to join in. Let people merge in front of you, be patient with fast – and slow – drivers. When you practice patience while driving, you’re much less likely to take risks which can lead to dangerous situations.
  
• Never tailgate. If you are behind a driver who is going excruciatingly slow, pass them when you’re given the safe opportunity, but never tailgate. The car in front could hit their brakes at a moment’s notice, sending you careening into their back end, and you would be responsible. Tailgating also leads to more frustration on your part, and irritation and annoyance for the driver ahead of you.
  
• Only use positive hand gestures. Flipping fingers and using aggressive hand gestures creates a hostile environment that may lead to, at the very most, a physical confrontation and at the very least, a sour mood for the rest of the day. Make a promise to yourself to only use the universal “thank you” hand gesture.
  
• Be civil with the horn. Using your horn should be reserved for when you want to alert another driver of an issue. It might be that they are about to hit you or that the light has been green for several moments and you can see that they aren’t paying attention. The latter should be a “tap tap” of the horn and nothing more.

Even when you do your best to avoid road rage within yourself, you might come across someone who hasn’t got these tricks down (just yet). So, what should you do if another driver acts aggressively towards you?

• Never stop for a confrontation. Whether it’s you that feels violated or offended or it’s the other driver that gestures to stop, it’s a recipe for disaster for two people who are hot-headed to confront each other.
• Stay aware of your surroundings. If you are fearful that the driver is following you, lock your doors and drive to the nearest police station.
• Don’t make eye contact. It’s true in the animal world and it’s true with people, making eye contact can increase aggression and signal the desire to fight.
• Change lanes safely and/or slow down to put distance between you and the other driver.

It’s one thing to know that road rage exists, it’s another to put forth effort to quell it. Whether it’s you that feel the anger build up or you see it in someone else, take steps to de-escalate the situation by staying calm and creating space.