by Dan Monaghan

Created on: March 16, 2009

Driving a vehicle on today's roads can be extremely stressful. Crowded highways, weather issues and volatile gas prices are just a few things that can turn up the heat as we make our way to work and play. Factor in personal stresses and you end up with a raging scenario that can, and way too often does, turn lethal.

The most even-tempered of us have had our buttons pushed by the occasional hot head who aims to make the road his own. So, how to avoid this rage? With effort, it can be done. In many cases, all it takes is the ability to imagine and empathize.

Perhaps the driver pinned to your rear bumper is hurrying home to hold the hand of a spouse who just got bad news about her health and the time they have left is now being counted in weeks, not years.

Maybe the man who just cut you off did so because he's late for lunch with his mother, a woman he has ignored most of his life and who has recently renewed the relationship before it's too late.

The person who is driving at 20mph below the speed limit may have just ventured back out into traffic after a devastating accident that claimed her lifetime companion and is now terrified by nightmares that, until today, paralyzed her with fear.

The non-signalling lane changer who just blew by you could be on his way to the hospital for the impending birth of his first child, hopeful that this one will live, unlike the last two who didn't.

Chances are, the next person who pushes you close to the edge may not be in any of the above categories, but how do you know? Life comes at us from many angles and many times we are thrown into a mess where we have to speed, cut people off and forget to properly signal. It's not intentional, but it is hard to focus sometimes when our life starts to unravel. Instead of using people's annoyances to light your fuse, step back and remember a time in your life when the last thing on your mind was whether you remembered to flip on your left turn signal when changing lanes.

Hopefully, you and your chosen partner will live a long, healthy life, you and your mother will enjoy a great relationship and if you choose to have children, they are all born healthy and happy. But if life does throw you the occasional curve and you feel the need to shun some highway courtesies, hopefully your fellow drivers will understand. Just return the favor. Who knows, it could just become the latest rage.

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