{"id":6088,"date":"2022-06-21T18:14:12","date_gmt":"2022-06-21T14:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gccexchange.com\/blog\/?p=6088"},"modified":"2022-06-21T18:14:41","modified_gmt":"2022-06-21T14:14:41","slug":"the-psychology-behind-road-rage-how-best-to-manage-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gccexchange.com\/blog\/the-psychology-behind-road-rage-how-best-to-manage-it\/","title":{"rendered":"The Psychology Behind Road Rage & How Best to Manage It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Driving is a big responsibility; you\u2019re 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<\/strong><\/a> may become mandatory, which can lead to substantially higher car insurance premiums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, with the pace of\nthe world ever-increasing, road rage has become a regular occurrence, an almost\nexpected aspect of driving life. Every day we are likely to encounter one or\nmore of these aggressive behaviors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Drivers changing lanes with\nno signals<\/li>
  • Drivers racing each other\ndown the highway with no regard to anyone else<\/li>
  • Weaving dangerously across\nmany lanes of traffic<\/li>
  • Speeding up to block you\nfrom merging or changing lanes<\/li>
  • Tailgating<\/li>
  • Flashing high beams<\/li>
  • Flipping fingers<\/li>
  • Screaming and cursing<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    In the past, road rage seemed to\nbe purely a \u201cmale\u201d issue, but these days, even the ladies are getting in on the\naggression. But, why is the aggression there at all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With more stress on people, their\nfrustration and disappointment can easily culminate into aggression when they\nget behind the wheel. It turns into a need for control, and to lash out at\nother drivers, who they feel intentionally or unintentionally, invade their\nspace. It may also stem from a need to feel superior and even a narcissistic entitlement\nto the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you are someone who turns from\nan even-tempered Dr. Jekyll into a beast-like Hyde when they ease into the\ndriver\u2019s seat, there are some strategies to remember and employ before heading\nout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Do your best to be on time.<\/em> Right from the start, if you give yourself extra time, you won\u2019t have to worry about traffic being slow or a bit heavy.
      <\/li>
    • When something upsets you, be mindful about calming down.<\/em> It\u2019s 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.
      <\/li>
    • Practice patience.<\/em> Just because everyone else is rushing along doesn\u2019t mean you have to join in. Let people merge in front of you, be patient with fast \u2013 and slow \u2013 drivers. When you practice patience while driving, you\u2019re much less likely to take risks which can lead to dangerous situations.
      <\/li>
    • Never tailgate. <\/em>If you are behind a driver who is going excruciatingly slow, pass them when you\u2019re given the safe opportunity, but never tailgate. The car in front could hit their brakes at a moment\u2019s 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.
      <\/li>
    • Only use positive hand gestures. <\/em>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 \u201cthank you\u201d hand gesture.
      <\/li>
    • Be civil with the horn.<\/em> 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\u2019t paying attention. The latter should be a \u201ctap tap\u201d of the horn and nothing more. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Even when you do your best to\navoid road rage within yourself, you might come across someone who hasn\u2019t got\nthese tricks down (just yet). So, what should you do if another driver acts\naggressively towards you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      • Never stop for a confrontation.<\/em> Whether it\u2019s you that feels\nviolated or offended or it\u2019s the other driver that gestures to stop, it\u2019s a\nrecipe for disaster for two people who are hot-headed to confront each other. <\/li>
      • Stay aware of your surroundings. <\/em>If you are fearful that the driver\nis following you, lock your doors and drive to the nearest police station.<\/li>
      • Don\u2019t make eye contact.<\/em> It\u2019s true in the animal world and it\u2019s true\nwith people, making eye contact can increase aggression and signal the desire\nto fight.<\/li>
      • Change lanes safely<\/em> and\/or slow down to put distance between you\nand the other driver.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        It\u2019s one thing to know that road rage exists, it\u2019s another to put forth effort to quell it. Whether it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n