Did you know around nine in 10 motorists witnessed a road rage incident over the past year? Meanwhile, one law firm says around four in 10 men and three in 10 women have been on the receiving end of road rage.
The only thing worse than seeing or experiencing road rage is being the perpetrator. You can only control yourself, after all.
Here are 16 signs you’re struggling with road rage and how to keep a level head.
Honking Excessively
Do you honk your horn all the time? The horn is a useful feature, but don’t treat it like a percussion instrument. If you blare the horn at every infraction or supposed infraction, that’s a sure sign you’re having a meltdown that could lead to road rage. Take a break. Literally.
Tailgating
Some drivers tailgate to passive-aggressively inform the drivers ahead to speed up or get out of the way. If you’re being tailgated and are at your wits’ end, change lanes rather than lose your cool. You definitely want to avoid tailgating. It’s best to change lanes and go about your way.
Yelling at Other Motorists
Do you find yourself yelling at other motorists — even when you know they can’t even hear you? Don’t lose your cool when other drivers mess up. If someone is causing mayhem on the road, change lanes and let the transgressor go about their way.
According to the University of Nevada, Reno, listening to slower-tempo music can relax your mind and muscles. You don’t want to get too relaxed and accidentally nod off behind the wheel. But the right music could help you avoid a road rage episode.
Brake Checking
You know you’re struggling with road rage if you brake check the vehicle behind you. Some people passive-aggressively brake check when someone’s tailgating them. People who brake check slam on the brakes to force drivers behind them to do likewise. While it might be tempting to do this if someone’s tailgating you, it’s not worth the risk.
Rather than brake check, switch lanes and let the tailgator pass you. You’ll avert a bad situation.
Using Rude Hand Gestures
Flashing rude or obscene hand gestures is no way to behave anywhere. It’s certainly the wrong behavior when behind the wheel. Use your hands to hold the steering wheel rather than display your displeasure using crude sign language. Think good thoughts, hold the steering wheel, and resist the urge to misbehave.
Flashing Headlights
Another sign you might be losing your cool is if you flash your headlights. It can be disorienting to other motorists if you do that when it’s dark outside. But that’s one reason people flash their high beams at those they’re upset with. Rather than devolving into behavior unfitting for someone old enough to earn a driver’s license, give others some grace.
Exiting Your Car to Confront Someone
This one is a big no-no. It’s never a good idea to exit your vehicle to confront someone at a stoplight or stop sign. If another motorist has done something criminal, jot down their license plate, vehicle make, and any other relevant information and call the police. Otherwise, just let it go.
Cutting People Off
Another passive-aggressive behavior is cutting people off. It’s something that angry people do when they’re sick and tired of waiting — especially if other drivers are moving too slowly. Nothing good will come from speeding up and erratically serving in front of another car.
Making Verbal Threats
Swearing, yelling, and flashing obscene hand signs are bad enough as it is. But you’ll take things to another level if you start making verbal threats. Depending on what you say, the threats could rise to the level of a criminal offense. You’ll want to avoid that kind of trouble.
Chasing Other Motorists
Leave the car chases to the actors on the small or large screens. If you find yourself throwing caution to the wind and chasing other drivers on the road, you’re succumbing to road rage. Pull over and calm down.
Ignoring Traffic Signs
Another sign you might be losing it is if you go lawless by ignoring traffic signs and lights. If you have to break the rules to get back at someone, that’s a sign you’ve gone too far. You’ll be better off by backing down so you can live to drive another day.
Speeding Up When Someone Tries to Merge Ahead of You
You know you’re misbehaving if you hit the acceleration pedal when someone wants to merge in front of you. Perhaps the person did something to offend you. But instead of retaliating and making matters worse, de-escalate the situation. Nothing good comes from acting out on the road.
Getting Frustrated Whenever You Get Behind the Wheel
If merely getting behind the wheel of a car is enough to put you in a bad frame of mind, that should tell you something. Driving while upset is dangerous because it won’t take much to push you over the edge. Avoid driving when you’re upset.
Blaming Other Drivers for Everything That Goes Wrong
Do you tend to blame other motorists for everything, save for the weather? That sort of mindset could easily lead you to lose your cool. Your best bet is to focus on what you can control. If other motorists misbehave, give them a wide berth and maintain your dignity.
Getting Ticked Off Even When People Are Observing the Speed Limit
If your internal fuse is about to blow when people aren’t driving as fast as you think they should, that’s a problem. It’s even worse if these motorists are observing the posted speed limit. Rather than explode like a volcano, adjust your speed or change lanes.
Insulting Motorists in Your Mind
Everybody’s a critic. But if you find yourself criticizing drivers on the road for infractions big and small, that can be a problem. Calling people names or insulting them — even if only in your mind — can escalate should actions imitate thoughts. After all, you’ve probably made the same mistakes as motorists who tick you off.
Avoid Road Rage
If you’re ever on the verge of going nuts behind the wheel, give your head a shake. Road rage isn’t worth it whether someone cuts you off or won’t let you merge into the lane. While you can’t control what others do, you can choose how you respond.
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