7 Tips for Avoiding Holiday Road Rage

The holiday season is full of joy and good times, but it's also the most stressful time of the year. Your schedule is crowded and everyone is rushing to meet deadlines. All this stress can eventually lead to road rage. The National Safety Council estimates that two-thirds of all traffic fatalities are a result of road rage, so read these tips on how to deal with overly-aggressive drivers.

1. Don't retaliate. When someone cuts you off or honks their horn at you for not changing lanes fast enough, try to resist the urge to display an angry response. Responding to the rude driver and demonstrating your own anger won't solve anything and will likely make the driver even more angry.

2. Avoid eye contact. Meeting the gaze of an aggressive driver will only fuel their anger and escalate the situation. Eye contact is a biological signal for aggression; all species respond the same way. Let the other driver fume by himself.

3. Consider the costs. How much is it worth to you to "get back" at someone who cuts you off? Is it worth your life? Never underestimate another driver's capacity for mayhem, as some road rage incidents can escalate to the point of serious physical violence. Instead of getting even, fantasize about a policeman stopping the driver and giving him a ticket.

4. Always be courteous. If you set your mind to be polite whenever you get behind the wheel, you reduce the likelihood of hostile encounters. Let that car pull out ahead of you, allow that truck to pass you easily and don't use your horn except in emergency situations. Even the smallest slights can lead to road rage.

5. Don't assume you were blameless. Our immediate reaction to the blaring horn or the angry glare is to assume that it's the other guy's fault. Often, we later realize we may have been at fault. Perhaps we were daydreaming when the traffic light changed or maybe we did accidentally cut someone off. It's a reflex to think that the driver yelling at you is just a jerk, but some jerks are provoked and you might be the cause.

6. Plan ahead. You'll reduce your own stress when you give yourself enough time to safely reach your destination without rushing. The most likely time for you to feel stress and act out because of it is when you're rushed. So, arrive early and arrive safe.

7. Slow down and relax. Remember that you can't control the drivers around you but you can control the way they affect you. Make your driving environment calm and pleasant. Consider the music you're playing: is it relaxing and fun or is it loud and aggressive? If you think of your drive as a mini-vacation from your job or housework, even the worst traffic can have an up-side.

Aggressive drivers or not, make sure your auto insurance coverage will protect you in any sort of accident. NetQuote can help! We can connect you with local insurance agents who can help you get the policy you need at the price you want.

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