Let’s all try to get along, shall we
About three years ago I starting working approximately 40 miles from home. After months of long commutes, I soon realized that the longer the trip the more likely I was to become a frustrated driver; frustated with heavy traffic, slow life in the “fast” lane, and the allegedly incompetent driver. I’ve never suffered from “road rage” although I’ve been a victim of it. I’ve definately witnessed it.
I’d have to classify “road rage” as a sickness particularly after seeing one driver cut in front of another vehicle, stop short, get out of their car and start shouting at the top of the lungs at what might have been an elderly driver. That sickens me.
It is perhaps for that reason that I often refer to senior drivers as “somebody’s mother” or “somebody’s father”. Would you want your mother or father to be a victim of road rage? Of course, not. That’s why we need to remember that other drivers are human beings also and that respect is a two-way street.
Here’s my suggestion on how to curb road rage:
The next time you’re on the highway, imagine that other drivers are on the same team. You’re a team of drivers. It’s not a race, but as a team member you have an obligation to help your fellow team members get to their destination safely and efficiently as well.
When you see a vehicle behind you that needs to get by, make way for them. When you see or encounter a slower driver, imagine that it’s someone you know and make way for them also. Make it a game of trying to help others.
My theory is that imagining that you are driving as a team will help modify the way you view other drivers and help you relax during your commute or other long-haul. It’s often helped me turn an otherwise frustrating driving experience into a calmer one.
Don’t expect it, but soon you might find yourself on the receiving end of more pleasant hand gestures from other drivers, like someone waving to say “thank you.” And thanking others can have a positive effect as well.
We’re all in this thing together.
Safe travels!
| Sponsored by |  |
USurprise Me! 
Your reference to “team driving” could be interpreted as a metaphor for life and become very handy in other compromising situations. First visit to the new blog…very nice!!!
God, I feel like such a jerk. I was making a right turn at a busy intersection. I stopped for the pedestrian in the crosswalk, which is always the right thing to do. The person behind me started honking. I immediately went into a rage. I just get so angry at these Boston drivers that honk at you for giving a pedestrian the right of way (I’ve seen that happen when a blind man was in the crosswalk!). After my turn I purposefully drove as slow and annoyingly as I could, tapping the break lights just to piss them off. They passed me at the next intersection where they stopped to scream at me. I of course screamed back like a maniac. What was I thinking? These two guys could have beaten the crap out of me. I looked like an idiot and could have caused an accident. I was right to stop for the woman in the crosswalk, but I should have just ignored their honking instead of escalating the situation.