The Car Doctor - Road Rage

Road rage causes car accidents, car accidents cause personal injuries, personal injuries can often lead to death and death, as we all know, is terrible. So it's fairly safe to surmise, therefore, that road rage is bad. Very bad.

But as bad as it is and no matter how much heartache it can cause, road rage continues to happen on a daily basis throughout the UK. Thousands upon thousands of examples of it occur every hour and the result is often a road traffic accident.

The sad thing about it all is that it's completely unnecessary. Road rage doesn't need to happen and if everyone took a deep breath then the roads would be a much safer place and there would be far fewer car accidents.



One thing to remember is that the 'rager' is almost certainly someone you don't know and are never likely to meet again (unless it's in court or in hospital). Their actions are not a personal attack on you - it's just that they can't cope with their own emotions very well.

It is not your job to enforce the rules or to teach other people a lesson - unless you are a policeman and on duty. Lots of people are rude and thoughtless, we meet them every day on the road, in the shops, at work ... They are everywhere. But the good news is that each one only enter your life for a few seconds or minutes. They have to live with themselves and their own actions forever - how sad is that!.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are angry with another driver, take a deep breath and ask yourself this simple question: 'What do I really want?' When asking yourself the question, your expectation must be for something that is within your own control.

For example, answering: 'I want to win the Lottery so that I don't have to drive to work' or 'I want the other guy to be a good driver instead of an idiot' will simply frustrate you further. How about: 'I want to be relaxed and safe'?

When you have answered the question, 'What do I really want?', think about what you are doing to prevent yourself from getting it - what's getting in the way that you can control?

If you want to be relaxed you might have to ease off the gas and let the other driver pull away; after all, do you really think he cares about your feelings and concerns?

You might even need to pull up, get out of the car and jump up and down swearing. If this is what it takes, do it. But make sure you do it on your own and well away from the people who frustrated you!

You can control your feelings in the car in the same way that you control the rest of your life.

Chill out!

Avoiding anger on the road needs a little self-control and patience. Road rage is often just as bad for the 'rager' as for the victim. below, there is a list of simple suggestions to help relieve stress when driving, which should help to ensure that you never 'lose it' behind the wheel.

Despite the information given in this section of the website the chances of a serious road rage attack are remote, especially if you follow this simple advice.

The following points will help you to cope with the stresses and strains that some people perceive to be present in modern driving. By choosing to adopt the appropriate behaviour and taking the correct actions, you will find that driving can be stress-free and enjoyable.

Try to see the other driver's point of view. The car that has just 'cut you up' may well be driven by a fool who doesn't deserve a driving licence. However, it might just be that the driver is rushing to see a dying relative, or to witness the birth of his first child.

Never react to another driver's actions, no matter how ridiculous their driving or how much they've annoyed you. Be courteous and polite, even when others choose not to be. Never make eye contact with an irate driver. Always ask yourself if the other driver 'committed their crime intentionally'. Is it possible that they simply made a mistake? Never underestimate another motorist's capacity for causing havoc. Don't use violent or abusive gestures. If you find yourself being followed by an angry driver, do not go home but head for a busy public place or the closest police station. Never leave your vehicle to confront another motorist. Keep your doors locked and your windows up if an aggressive driver approaches your vehicle. Ensure you're stress-free whilst driving by giving yourself plenty of time to get to your destination and making sure that you know where you're going. If you make a mistake, hold a hand up to apologise; this often relieves tension for everyone concerned. After all, we all make mistakes. Leave room between your car and the vehicle in front so you can drive away from a dangerous situation if someone approaches with criminal intent. If you think you're being followed, drive around the block or around a roundabout a couple of times. It might just be that another driver was taking the same route and hadn't even noticed you.

Hopefully the few bits of advice above will help you to avoid the possibility of being involved in a road rage incident that could result in a car accident.

If you would like to report a driver of road rage then take a look at this Road Rage website, click on the Banner below to view it!