How to Control Road Rage and Manage Your Emotions 

Getting angry or upset behind the wheel is dangerous. If that anger boils over into full-blown road rage, it can be life-threatening. We’ve all seen the headlines talking about out-of-control road rage, where someone gets seriously hurt or even killed. An incident can start as a minor aggravation and quickly become dangerous behavior, like intentionally bumping another car or getting out to confront someone. 

That said, things are going to happen when you’re driving. We’ve all been in a frustrating position when driving. It’s especially frustrating when another driver cuts you off or follows too closely. Professional driving lessons from an accredited driving school with experienced instructors will give you the skills you need when encountering other drivers who can get under your skin. You’ll receive strategies on non-reactivity and learn the wisdom of staying cool under pressure. 

In this post, we’ll discuss how to control road rage if anger builds up in you while driving or if another driver displays road rage toward you.

What is Emotional Driving and Road Rage?

Road rage has become so common that it earned its place in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary with this meaning: “A motorist’s uncontrolled anger that is usually triggered by an action of another motorist and that is expressed in aggressive or violent behavior”. People who demonstrate this out-of-control behavior are called ‘road ragers’. While other drivers may have similar feelings or thoughts, only the road rager responds with dangerous behavior: tailgating, pulling right in front of you at high speeds, running you off the road, refusing to let you into traffic, and so on.

Road ragers may face legal consequences for their actions. For example, in Colorado, road rage incidents that escalate to ‘aggressive driving’ can turn into a Class 2 misdemeanor and can lead to 90 days in jail, a $300 fine, and points on your license. Beyond that, in extreme cases that involve reckless driving, property damage, or assault, the road rager can face criminal charges like vehicular assault or menacing, both of which are felonies. 

Signs You Might Be Driving Emotionally

Anger and tension can creep in when you’re driving. This is especially true if you’ve had a bad day or you’re experiencing an emotional event, and then you get behind the wheel. Here are a few signs you may be driving emotionally — some may seem obvious, but anger can cloud your judgment. 

Physical Reaction — Are your hands tightly wrapped around the steering wheel with a tense grip? Or is your jaw clenched? Is your heart racing? These are tell-tale signs you’re starting to get angry. At this point, observe the physical signs as calmly as possible. Take a deep breath and let it all out with a long, thorough exhale. You might need to pull over and remove yourself for a minute, even if you’re in a hurry to get somewhere. 

Behavioral Reaction — A physical reaction can escalate to behavioral responses such as tailgating, honking excessively, or yelling at other motorists. If you find yourself exhibiting these behaviors, you’re in the danger zone where you could hurt another motorist, a bystander, or even yourself. 

Internal Reaction —This is an emotional reaction in which you irrationally believe another driver is purposely targeting you and take it as a personal offense. That emotional overreaction can escalate quickly, leading to tailgating, yelling, aggressive lane changes, or confrontation. Emotional responses to driving can also lead to chronic stress, anxiety while driving, and ultimately, road avoidance. 

The importance of staying calm when driving can’t be overstated. You must remain calm and relaxed and remember to drive safely to keep everyone safe. This is especially true if you have passengers in the vehicle with you.

Proven Tips to Control Road Rage

Several strategies exist for keeping yourself calm and relaxed while driving. Factor these into your driving time, and the chances of you losing control or your temper are dramatically decreased. 

Plan ahead — Feeling rushed when driving is a significant factor in emotional driving or road rage. If you are running late for an appointment, getting cut off might send you into a frenzy. However, you wouldn’t have reacted similarly if you weren’t rushed. Road rage management starts here, with feeling like you have time to get to your destination. In short, planning is first on our list of road rage control strategies. 

Don’t Engage with Aggressive Drivers — If another driver starts yelling at you, pointing their fingers, or waving their arms, don’t make eye contact. Keep your eyes on the road and stay calm. Don’t react to provocation if another driver leaves their vehicle and approaches you. Non-reactivity is the key here. The worst thing you can do is engage a rage-filled motorist. 

Keep Perspective — Most road rage incidents are short-lived. The road rager will likely continue driving once they’ve yelled. Let the drama play out and stay calm. If you are rattled from the scene, pull over and relax. However aggressive and scary it may feel, the scene will likely be over in a minute, after which the angry road rager will angrily speed away.

A word of caution. While most road rage incidents don’t turn into violent confrontations, a small percentage do escalate into violence. Regardless, remain alert, avoid conflict, and report any threats you see or experience to the police.

What to Teach Teen Drivers About Road Rage

Road rage and emotional driving can strongly influence impressionable teen drivers. In tense situations, model calm, controlled behavior — young drivers and other road users often learn how to react by watching experienced ones. Encourage teens to speak up if an incident happens or if they are feeling unsafe while driving, and be sure to teach emotional control, as it is a key part of your teen’s driver education. 

Professional Driving Lessons Teach Calm Responses to Avoid Road Rage

Professional driving lessons from a certified driving school like American Driving Academy offer lessons focused on road rage response. Lessons help young drivers develop the essential skills to stay calm under pressure on the roads. Our certified instructors do more than teach the rules of the road; they also prepare students to handle stressful situations, avoid angry drivers, and make safe and smart decisions when a road rage incident happens. 

No matter if you’re a young driver or a seasoned driver looking for a refresher, American Driving Academy offers different courses for different student needs, designed to improve your driving skills. We also provide a safe environment for your driver’s permit and driver’s license tests. We offer classes at five locations across Colorado. Contact us or call us at (303) 623-1404.