subject: How To Avoid Road Rage [print this page] Driving should be enjoyable as well as a way to get you where you need to go, but it can sometimes become just another stressful experience in an already busy day. However, the last thing you want is to let yourself become more annoyed than you need to be.
Road rage is something that can affect even the most chilled out of people, but that can have a very negative impact on your driving as well as your mood. This means it's very important to stay calm and make sure you nip any signs of road rage in the bud.
Preventing road rage actually starts before you even get in the car, There are a number of things you can do that will drastically cut your chances of getting too worked up while you're driving, and many of them you may not have realised just how related to your general well-being they are. For example, making sure you get enough sleep is really very important if you want to enjoy a stress free trip, as tiredness can give you a much shorter fuse that you have usually.
The same can be said of hunger, so make sure you're not driving on an empty stomach and keep a tin of sweets or packet of nuts in the car to help you get your blood sugar up if needed.
Another piece of preparation that is likely to cut your chances of experiencing road rage is to take a few minutes to plan your journey and a back up route before you set out. This means that you're are less likely to panic, or become annoyed if you find out that road works or an accident make it impossible for you to go the way you were planning.
Once you're ready to hit the road, bear a few simple things in mind. Firstly, people makes mistakes for any number of reasons, if someone does something stupid, it may not be because they are actually stupid or foolhardy. Secondly, when other drivers cut you up or drive aggressively, you need to remember that they are not persecuting you specifically, they are being irresponsible, so don't let yourself take it personally. Thirdly, don't lose your perspective, if something does go wrong, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it doesn't have to be a big deal.
Keeping hold of your emotions not only means that you will be a calmer person and a safer driver, but it also means you are less likely to encounter trouble with your fellow drivers the last thing you want is to have to order a car windscreen replacement because an irate driver has smashed yours. So take it easy on the road and concentrate on the most important thing, your safety.
