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Angry
Drivers
A study by the Triple-A foundation for traffic safety shows
that 45-thousand Americans admit to driving aggressively. If
upset or frustrated, some of those drivers act out their anger
behind the wheel, trying to cause harm to another driver.
You
think you are the good driver and the other guy is the idiot?
Chances are that guy is thinking the same thing about you.
Leon James/Traffic Psychology - "Road rage or aggressive
driving is contagious."
Here
is proof, ever react to an aggressive driver?
Driver
- "I did sometimes experience a little frustration."
Driver
- "I did some impolite gestures and made some impolite comments."
When anger goes too far and you want to actually harm the other
driver, that is road rage. A catchy new name for a problem that
may have started with the invention of the automobile. Doctor
Leon James is a professor of traffic psychology. On-line he
is known as "Doctor Driving".
Leon James/Traffic Psychology - "We all get sort of impatient,
frustrated, stressed, even angry. Some of us wanna make sure
that we wanna pay the other person back."
It is human nature to want to get even, but some people just
snap.
Theresa
Podguski/Public Affairs AAA - "There have been many incidences
of aggressive driving that have escalated where people have
actually died."
Theresa Podguski is a supervisor of public affairs at Triple
A East Penn. She says when aggressive drivers push your button,
do not gesture or yell at them.
Theresa
Podguski - "Not even shrugging your shoulders or shaking
your head. It just can be interpreted by the other drive as
an aggressive act and it could enrage them more."
Or make matters worse. Keep yourself and your passengers safe.
First, by putting yourself in the other driver's seat.
Theresa Podguski - " If you see someone that is speeding,
think about why they might be speeding. It could be a physician
on his way to the hospital."
Leon
James - "Maybe it's a sick driver. Maybe it's a drugged
driver. Maybe they have to go to the bathroom."
Imagine anything to help you forgive them. Then, calm down.
Theresa Podguski - "Listen to soothing music, try deep
breathing."
Leon
James - "If you take a deep breath, your entire mood changes."
If that does not work?
Leon
James - "Why don't you make some funny animal sounds..meow,
woof, woof, woof, anything that makes you laugh a little bit."
Theresa Podguski - "laughing definitely will help you
to relax."
It
is a lot more grown up than throwing a tantrum. If you find
yourself the target of an enraged driver, drive to a public
area like a shopping center, hospital or police station and
beep your horn for attention. If you have a cell phone, call
911. Never drive home with an angry driver following you.
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