It doesn't seem that long ago when you would hear a news story about someone who "lost it" during rush hour and picked a fight with the driver in front of them. But today, news stories about road rage are becoming increasingly common. We're not as shocked by them, and we chalk it up to "road rage" (now that we have a name for it).
But road rage is completely avoidable. If you tend to fly off the handle while driving (and if you don't want to) then here are some easy ways to eliminate road rage.
First, plan ahead: Before jumping in the car to go somewhere, take a moment to plan your route. Consider taking a slightly longer route that has no stop lights. Chances are, it will take about the same amount of time but it will feel faster… and less frustrating.
Second, do a bit of research: It's not as boring as it sounds. Instead, check a couple of websites for road conditions, construction, and traffic jams. For example, many cities will post information about road construction sites so check them first. Also, search on Twitter (http://search.twitter.com) for local traffic. If you live in Winnipeg, for example, you can search #winnipegtraffic to find out up-to-the-minute traffic conditions.
Third, mitigate your frustration triggers. Do you find bad drivers annoying? Do you hate stop-and-go traffic? Do you get frustrated by not having enough room while you drive? Figure out what frustrates you and make changes accordingly. For example, travel when there are fewer cars on the road or take routes that have fewer stop lights.
Fourth, leave early. Road rage can stem from a combination of factors – frustration at other drivers and stress from work – but it can also be caused by a feeling of being late. You can easily eliminate that by adding a few extra minutes to every trip.
No one is saying that you have to start driving like a sightseeing, Sunday-driving slowpoke. And these four tips won't completely eliminate the frustration you feel when you drive. But if you want to remain a little more patient and calm while driving, these four tips can help.
In spite of your best efforts, sometimes a collision can still happen. When it does happen, remain calm – although you might feel that your frustration has peaked, this is when it is most important to remain calm… for everyone's safety and to help the police and the insurance companies sort out the situation.
When a collision does occur, bring your car to Boyd Autobody & Glass for a high quality repair to put your car back into great shape. We'll make sure your car looks great, drives well, and keeps your family safe while on the road.
