Collection of Road Rage and Driving TipsCompiled and Edited by Dr.
Leon James
From: phoenix.webfirst.com/aaa/Text/Hotitem.htm
From: www.DrDriving.org/about/index.htm
From: New Woman Magazine
From: www.aipsnews.com
From: www.magicnet.net/~rtewmuch/opinions/driving.html Driving Etiquette Here are some simple Rules of the Road to remember the next time you go out:
From: www.drivers.com/issues/roadrage/pepper.html
From: www.state.ia.us/government/dot/roadrage.htm
From: www.ohsp.msp.state.mi.us/aggressv.htm
From: www.trafficsafety.org/resources/roadrage/index.html
Other Useful Attitudes:
Reduce your stress:
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From: kctv5.com/news/crimestoppers/roadrage.htm
- DON'T BE LATE.
- DON'T TAILGATE.
- DON'T CUT SOMEONE OFF.
- DON'T BLOCK PASSING LANE.
- DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY.
- DON'T GESTURE IN ANGER.
- DON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT.
- DON'T TRY TO WIN.
- DON'T HESITATE TO CALL 911 OR DRIVE TO NEAREST POLICE STATION.
From: www.cigna.com/healthcare/livingwell/wb98b06.html
Plan your route and leave yourself enough time to get to your destination.
Make your ride enjoyable. Listen to music you like, breathe deeply and get fresh air.
Follow the rules of the road.
Be courteous. If you make a mistake, make a gesture of apology to the other driver.
From: www.nrma.com.au/inside-nrma/m-h-m/roadrage-print.html
Plan your trip. By allowing sufficient time to get there, small delays won't seem like major incidents.
Don't drive if you're already upset by something happening at work or at home.
Don't react to small traffic incidents.
Allow for other peoples mistakes. It might be you who needs to change lanes next time.
Consider using alternative transport if you'll be driving in frustrating conditions such as peak hour traffic.
Keep your doors and windows locked and don't open them if anyone approaches the car.
Remain calm, responding in any way will only encourage the other person.
If you have a mobile phone call the Police.
Don't use a weapon, it is against the law and can make the situation worse.
Try to drive away safely and make a note of the attacker's registration number.
If you can't drive away, try to attract attention by flashing your lights or sounding your horn.
From: www.caa.ca/CAAInternet/trafficsafety/aggressivedriving.htm
From: www.unf.edu/dept/upd/newsoct.htm
First, make every attempt to get out of his or her way.
Put your pride away. Don’t challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to hold-your-own in your travel lane.
Avoid eye contact with the aggressive driver, it may be perceived as a challenge.
Ignore gestures and refuse to return or acknowledge them. Stay cool.
Don’t block the high speed or passing lane. If you’re being tailgated, move over.
Wear your seat belt. It will hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver and it will protect you in a crash.
Above all, never underestimate the other driver’s capacity for violence in any form.
Don’t take traffic problems personally.
Make your drive less stressful. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination.
Evaluate your emotions before getting behind the wheel.
Take a break if you feel yourself getting tense.
Is what you’re listening to grating your nerves? If so, change it. Try listening to something more relaxing.
Drive defensively. Don’t become an offender of rude road manners.
Most important, choose not to get angry. You are the only one who controls your emotions.
From: www.gm.com/vehicles/us/owners/ontheroad/aggressive.html
Try signaling before switching lanes
not tailgating the car in front of you
not stopping in the road to talk to pedestrians or other drivers
If you are driving slowly, pull over and allow any aggressive drivers to pass.
When at a signal, avoid blocking the right-turn lane or having your radio too loud.
And, as a car phone is a major distraction while driving, use it as infrequently as possible.
When parking your vehicle, do not use a parking space for the disabled, unless you are disabled.
As a rule, try not to take more than one parking space and avoid hitting the car next to yours with your door.
\The right attitude for driving
Reduce the stress of your trip by allowing plenty of travel time, listening to
relaxing music, and realizing that if there is a traffic jam there is nothing you can do
about it
If you come across any aggressive drivers, be polite and courteous, even when they are not.
Never take their driving mistakes as a personal affront
or as a chance to reprimand them.
If another driver challenges you, take a deep breath and get out of the way.
From: www.statefarm.com/consumer/crash2.htm
Don't block the passing lane.
Avoid blocking the right-hand turn lane.
Don't take more than one parking space.
Don't tailgate.
Don't stop in the road to talk with a pedestrian or other drivers.
If you travel slowly, pull over to allow traffic to pass you.
Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver.
Keep your eyes on the road.
Keep away from erratic drivers.
Don't challenge other drivers by speeding up to hold your own in your travel lane.
Ignore gestures; do not return them.
From: www.aggressivedriving.org/Pubs/SteerClear.html
When confronted by an aggressive driver...
Stay calm and relaxed.
Make every attempt to get out of the way safely. Don't escalate the situation.
Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to hold your position in your travel lane.
Wear a seat belt and encourage your passengers to do the same.
Avoid eye contact.
Ignore harassing gestures and refrain from returning them.
Report aggressive drivers to appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, location, license plate number, and direction of travel.
If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash, stop a safe distance from the crash scene. When the police arrive, report the driving behavior you witnessed.
From: www.state.ia.us/government/dot/roadrage.htm
Use directional lights to indicate a lane shift.
Follow the laws of the road.
Be polite and courteous.
Stay within the speed limits.
Drive at a safe following distance.
Stay mostly within one lane.
Don't become distracted by using the car phone or reading the paper while the vehicle is in motion.
Put some physical distance between you and drivers who are behaving erratically.
Don't show a reaction to the aggressive driver; especially, avoid eye contact.
Avoid behaviors that antagonize or irritate others.
Learn to control your temper and keep your cool in traffic.
Use your horn sparingly.
Keep the music in your vehicle at a level that doesn't annoy others.
If you are feeling frustrated - create a distraction such as turning on the radio, start a conversation with a passenger, play 20 questions, or talk yourself through the situation to calm down.
Be tolerant of those who exhibit non-conforming traffic behaviors.
From: www.eskimo.com/~billb/amateur/traffic/traffic1.html
Pretend you're in a Traffic Reporter's helicopter looking downwards.
From the New Testament:
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
See also: Principles of Christian Driving Psychology
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