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Three Ways to Deal With Road Rage (and Life)
Road rage is a serious problem. The anger that leads to road rage also leads to many other troubles in life. Here are three tips to deal with this problem.
In a quick-paced world full of selfishness, people can easily get frustrated with incidents on the road. Sometimes incidents of road rage can be very severe, while other times it doesn’t go beyond a curse uttered within the confines of one’s own car.
Road rage is usually defined as violent, angry or aggressive behavior expressed by the driver of a motor vehicle. Though it is difficult to compile precise statistics on the effects of road rage, it appears that the numbers of road rage incidents are increasing every year.
Road rage often manifests itself in angry words and aggressive driving, such as speeding, following too close to a slower vehicle, passing someone and then hitting your brakes, flashing your headlights to get people to move out of your lane or honking your horn excessively. This type of driving can result in accidents that severely injure or even kill.
Beyond the road
The road is really just a microcosm of our experiences in life. The only thing that we have control over is ourselves. The actions of those around us directly affect us, whether for good or for bad. The pressures of driving are often a reflection of the pressures of life.
Road rage is, sadly, a fact of life as well. In many cases those who experience road rage experience rage even when they are out of the car.
We can improve our behavior—on the road and in life. We don’t have to be one of the people who give in to road rage or blow their top when things don’t go their way.
Here are three ways to deal with road rage—and life.
We can improve our behavior—on the road and in life. We don’t have to be one of the people who give in to road rage or blow their top when things don’t go their way.
1. Recognize when you’re at fault
Sometimes the problem doesn’t lie with the other driver/person—but with us (Matthew 7:3-5). This point was brought home to me when a friend in the passenger seat interrupted my rant about the intelligence of a driver we had just passed by pointing out that I was the one at fault.
That was humbling—to analyze the incident and recognize that I was responsible for what could have turned into a bad accident. Recognizing my fault definitely cooled my ire at the other person. In life, we also experience similar incidents.
It’s normal to think that we’re above it all; that all the stupidity and mistakes in the world belong to everyone else in the human population. Unfortunately, the root of this is often our own pride and ego (Proverbs 16:18). We need to be willing to recognize our own mistakes instead of automatically blaming those around us.
2. Have empathy for others
Placing ourselves in someone else’s shoes can help us have a different perspective and deal with a situation in a more balanced and controlled way. This is counter to the human tendency of rushing to judgment with the first impression.
For example, what are your thoughts when you’re behind somebody going 40 miles an hour in a 55-mile-an-hour zone? Most people leap to the conclusion that they’re behind, if you’ll pardon the expression, a “granny driver.” There are many possibilities that might explain the situation, however, such as a young person just learning to drive, someone who isn’t familiar with the road and is looking for road signs, somebody who doesn’t know the speed limit, or possibly an elderly person whose slower reflexes and fear lead to slower driving.
Our first reaction should be empathy—not anger or judgment. This gives us the sympathy and understanding that we often need in dealing with people. The issue really isn’t the speed or the other driver. The bigger issue is our character.
3. Avoid confrontations
Many experts say that a good way to deal with road rage is to avoid confrontations. These fights are usually violent and dangerous as the people involved become more and more upset. It is common for situations to escalate when there is a confrontation.
We should avoid confrontations by trying to live peaceably and striving to use softer, kinder words that deescalate situations (Romans 12:18; Proverbs 15:1). This applies both on the roads and in life.
We don’t have to give in to road rage or go through life angry and miserable. We can get along with others more safely if we recognize our own faults, have empathy and avoid confrontations.
We should do all we can to live—and drive—safely!
For further insight into this topic, read “What Does the Bible Say About Anger?” and “Overcoming Anger.”
