95 of 107

Write now Article Tools

It was many years ago.

It was my first time on the Los Angeles Expressway. I had a lot of fear about the other drivers, given all I heard on news reports. Supposedly this expressway was full of people who did not care that others were sharing the road with them.

I was on the entrance ramp, watching anxiously for my turn to join the traffic. Other cars whizzed by, at what felt like top speed. I revved the gas, ready to enter the fray when the driver behind me decided I was not doing it fast enough. He stepped on his gas, pulled around in front of me, despite the fact that I was almost in the stream of traffic. and cut me off, leaving me in a very dangerous position. I was very lucky that nothing happened either to him, me or the other drivers. It was truly God, the Universe, or whatever you want to call it that prevented a major disaster. Unfortunately the amount of anger it engendered in me was another matter.

That *^*&%$*, I thought. He is not going to get away with that. I weaved in and out of traffic, getting in front of him and slowing down. As soon as he pulled away from me, I quickly caught up with him and tapped my brake. Not enough to stop but enough to warn him away from my car. Back and forth we went, until I saw a police car. I noticed from my rearview mirror that he somehow got the cop to stop. I knew it was about me and I held my breath until I was far enough away to know I was not going to be pulled over.

I knew as I played this potentially lethal 'game'; that I was being crazy. I knew my anger was out of proportion to the situation and that I was putting everyone around m in danger. Even as I knew it, it was hard to reign my emotions in and stop the idiocy.

What would have made a difference?

It is easy to say 'just let the guy get away with ________ whatever the infraction might be. But it is truly not that easy.

Emotions are already high in many driving situations. Fear of getting into or out of traffic, being lost, being in a rush; so many reasons that juices are already running.

It is the emotion just at the surface that fuels the rage.

(People who are 'ragaholics' are a different matter, often seeking out reasons to be angry and act out.)

Avoiding the rage starts before you take the car out of drive and put it in gear.

It is a matter of using the concept of what is called 'errors in thinking"

One error is called 'Magnification" - blowing things out of proportion.

Often road rage is a function of a thought process that goes something like this; "He is going so slow, I am going to be so late, I will be fired if I don't get to work on time."

Probably not. And if so then it is important to allow for extra time on your drive in case of a slow driver.

That guy, why is he starting and stopping like that, slowing up then going a little faster and slowing again.

Often the next thought is What an idiot!
It is helpful to think of the reasons why the person is driving like that.
One reason might be that he is looking for an address or is lost. Understanding someone else's behavior can often mitigate anger.
Emotion and logic are often antithetical to each other and yet logic can often thwart emotion.
If, as drivers, we are able to understand why someone else drives the way they do, even if they cut you off because of their own anger issues or impatience, road rage can be diverted into driving peace.

Learn more about this author, Carol Levy.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Ways to avoid giving in to road rage?
We want to hear your view. Write now!