Driving on the Utah roads has become increasingly worse over the years. With the swell in population and growth in the job market, more and more people are on the road. The freeways are almost constantly filled with drivers and the main roads are not any better. But this traffic is not the only problem on the roads. It’s the people causing the traffic, with drivers who are distracted or trying to get somewhere too fast or not fast enough. But that’s not even the worst of it. In fact, the worst problem might be in the car with you. Road rage. Your own road rage, actually.
Road rage is any aggressive or angry behavior by some driving a vehicle. The feelings of anger are usually triggered by another driver’s actions.
According to TheZebra.com, in 2019, “82% of drivers in the U.S. admit to having road rage or driving aggressively at least once a year.” They also state “a total of 12,610 injuries and 218 murders have been attributed to road rage over a seven-year period in the United States.”
Many of the worst cases of road rage are caused by two parties fighting aggressively with each other. Whether it’s tailgating and brake checking, or even following each other home, it is dangerous for others in the car or on the road.
It is altogether safer for you, your passengers, and others on the road to learn how to control your anger while driving.
There are many tips and tricks on how you can avoid anger and aggressive feelings.
Stay Calm and Patient
This is a lot easier said than done. But learning how to stay calm when something makes your angry is a lifelong skill. Taking deep breaths and reminding yourself to be patient might help. Hackensack Meridian Health suggests assuming the others are having bad days. You can also remind yourself that the other drivers are not doing anything on purpose.
Plan Ahead
If you know you get stressed and angry while running late, leave a few minutes early. It is easier to be calm when you are not worried about delays in traffic. It can’t always be helped that you leave late, but the more you plan ahead, the less stressed you will find yourself.
Avoid Aggressive Behavior
If you are cut off, tailgated, flipped off, or experience any other sort of aggression, avoid being aggressive back. Although you might feel vindicated performing crude gestures back to someone or tailgate them after they cut you off. It is always better to ignore that person, and continue on your way without acknowledging their anger.
Be Courteous to Other Drivers
If you are driving kindly and courteously, you most likely are not going to make anyone angry. Don’t cut people off; if you make a mistake, wave an apology; allow drivers to merge; leave room for others; and let drivers make mistakes. We’re all human and will do something wrong. The safer you drive, the safer the roads become.
Find Stress Reducing Activities
If you know that you get stressed and angry while driving, you can find things that will help you relax. Whether it’s calming music, an uplifting podcast, or even relaxation techniques, if it helps you be calm on the road, you should use it. It is easy to be frustrated if you are driving home from a stressful day from work, so you can take some time to make your car a nice place before you leave. Get the heater or air conditioning going, start your music, leave work with a cool drink, and take some breaths.
Help Your Loved Ones
If you have a loved one who deals with road rage, your help might be the best way to end these behaviors. Share your concern with loved ones about their road rage, and explain the danger they could be inflicting. Help them find stress management techniques, offer to drive, and be a positive passenger. You can egg on aggressive behavior or help encourage positive behavior.
Safety should be the number one priority while on the road. It won’t matter if you get to work on time, if getting there involves endangering the life of others. Avoiding road rage will help you have a better commute and a better day, as well as keep more drivers safe.
Injured in a Car accident? Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks Can Help
Of course, avoiding road rage and aggressive driving is ideal, but these things can’t always be avoided. If you have been in an auto accident involving aggressive driving or road rage, the anxiety, fear, and frustration can be overwhelming even months and years after the accident. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Having competent legal counsel during this time can help you recover financially, allowing you to focus on physical and emotional healing. Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks has the experience to help you get the best possible outcome. We know Utah’s legal landscape; we are familiar with the system’s intricacies that will influence your case’s outcome.
Contact us as soon as possible after your accident so we can help you get things moving in your favor. Even if you think the facts are clear-cut, you may need to fight for what you deserve. We are here to help.
