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08/19/2022
Road rage is stress or anger-fueled driving behavior known to be one of the leading causes of traffic crashes. Read this post by Schell Distributing Inc. in Idaho Falls for tips on how to avoid road rage.

As a car owner, you've probably heard of road rage. Such a term encompasses different anger or stress-fueled behaviors at the wheel, from using the horn to express irritation to making illegal maneuvers or putting other drivers in danger. That said, it comes as no surprise that road rage can contribute to traffic accidents and risky, out-of-control confrontations between drivers. While it is true that anyone can fall into dangerous behaviors or reactions on the road, it is also true that there are different measures to mitigate stress or irritability at the wheel (both in terms of driving and how to react to situations.) If you are interested in delving deeper into the measures or actions you can take to avoid road rage, keep reading this post by Schell Distributing Inc.

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How to React to Road Rage

For starters, it's important to know how to deal with aggressive behavior from other drivers on the road. Whether another driver cuts you off, tailgates you, or yells at you from their car window, one thing is sure: any discourtesy on the road can escalate to road rage; in other words, to the point of endangering those involved. That said, here are some crucial tips for defusing any hostile encounter:
  • Avoid eye contact: Our first tip is to avoid making eye contact with anyone who aggressively approaches you on the road. For example, suppose a driver comes up and yells at you after you accidentally cut them off. In such a case, it's best to avoid eye contact with that person and continue on your way, as exchanging glances could increase the odds of a foul encounter.
  • Don't react to provocation: In some cases, aggressive drivers engage in erratic and impulsive actions that can provoke and trigger an equally or even more aggressive response from those affected. That said, opt to remain calm and avoid any reactive behavior if another driver seeks to provoke you on the road; this way, you can ensure that you get out of the situation safely.
  • Get Help: Although it is not the most common, there are situations in which drivers threaten, assault, or show total disregard for the safety of other road users; if this happens to you and you feel in danger, call 911 for help.

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How to Stay Calm and Avoid Road Rage Behaviours

After learning how you can deal with an angry driver, it's time to look at the flip side; for instance, how likely are you to experience irritability or stress while driving? How do you react to traffic, slow or distracted drivers, or any inconvenience on the road? If you want to learn how to stay safe, calm, and less stressed on the road, here are some tips for avoiding road rage behaviors:
  • Plan ahead: Did you know that one of the most common road rage triggers is driving in a hurry? It's not unusual for some drivers to disregard the road rules when they are late for work, school, or an important meeting. If you usually drive in a hurry, we encourage you to plan all your routes to avoid congested roads by making use of mobile traffic apps; on top of that, we suggest you set your watch 10 or 20 minutes ahead of time so that you avoid the stress of being late and drive at ease.
  • Listen to relaxing music: The best way to regulate your mood when encountering an inconvenience on the road is to listen to relaxing music. It doesn't matter if it's a bossa nova album, the Beach Boys, or instrumental music; the important thing is that you listen to something you like that calms you down.
  • Keep up with your vehicle's maintenance routine: Another thing that can stress you out and trigger dangerous or aggressive driving is if one of your vehicle's components fails. For example, if your windshields stop working when driving in the rain or if your turn signals emit a dim light when driving at night. To avoid mishaps with your car's performance, stay on top of its routine maintenance.
  • Avoid unnecessary horn honking: Use your horn solely to alert other drivers and road users to hazards on the road. When using this device, do it with short taps and hand signals.
  • Be understanding with other drivers: Our last advice is to be patient with other drivers' small mistakes; for example, if someone else forgets to turn on their turn signals or drives slowly, give them the benefit of the doubt and move on. After all, all road users want to get home safely.

Avoid road rage by keeping your vehicle in top shape. Contact Schell Distributing Inc. at (208) 524-0322 and talk to their oil specialists about the benefits of getting the most reliable synthetic oil change in Idaho Falls. Don't forget to visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order on top-shelf formulas for your car maintenance.