Frustration, Aggression & Road Rage

Always remember that the primary goal in defensive driving is to stay safe and live to drive another day. Frustration, Aggression The context in which frustration occurs Other road users are probably equally and Road Rage can determine both the nature and extent frustrated in traffic, perhaps more so. of our own resulting aggressive behavior. They may not be as prepared for traffic. There are also differences in people’s nat- Frustration occurs when someone or Be courteous and forgiving. Your ural propensities. Some drivers are something impedes your progress toward behavior may serve to reduce their content to mutter curses to themselves a goal. In the driving environment our goal levels of frustration and consequently while others are provoked to physical is to get to our destination as quickly and their levels of aggression and violence. Both personal attributes and as safely as possible. When other road risk-taking, thereby making the traffic situational factors can moderate our users interfere with our progress we environment safer for everyone, aggressive responses. become frustrated. In the driving environ- including you. ment, increases in aggression can have Some experts distinguish between Do not fret over people, conditions and deadly consequences. Frustration can aggressive driving and road rage. things that you cannot control. Choose lead to any or all of the following Aggressive driving is instrumental, that is, your battles wisely and save your aggressive behaviour: it serves to further progress toward a energy and emotions for situations that desired outcome when we are frustrated. Excessive speeding or street racing you can influence. Road rage is simply hostile and is aimed Following too closely (tailgating) at causing harm to others who frustrate Recognize that traffic flows smoothier us. Try to distinguish this important and you will get there sooner if Failure to yield right of way difference in the behavior of other road everyone cooperates and work Red light running users. together. Horn honking Here are some thoughts and ideas that Do not confront road rage. Because it is irrational behavior in the first place, Weaving in traffic may help you to understand the sources of frustration in the driving environment aimed at doing psychological or physi- Cutting in front of other drivers and to help you mediate your aggressive cal harm to others, argument and dis- All of these aggressive driving behaviours responses to those sources of frustration: cussion cannot “win the day”. Stay in your vehicle and avoid eye contact and place drivers at an increased risk of Recognize that other road users are communicating with angry road users crashing. Fortunately although frustration also trying to get to their destinations and keep as much distance between does often lead to an increased likelihood as quickly and safely as possible. You them and you as possible. Let them of aggression, there is a strong cognitive are impeding their progress as much have their way and rage elsewhere component that influences the way that as they are impeding yours. we perceive the source of frustration as where they are least likely to put you at well as the particular form of expression risk. of that increased aggression. .

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