We’ve all been there: driven alongside those who just don’t give a hoot about other road users. Reckless driving, cutting off other drivers, tailgating, speeding… the list goes on and on.
But when does our mild irritation turn into full-blown road rage? Road rage is a serious concern in South Africa, and many drivers have become victims of ‘road ragers’.
Below are 10 tips to help you avoid road rage, compiled with the help of Old Mutual iWYZE. Although having adequate car insurance or getting car insurance quotes online to protect your vehicle is a good place to start, you need to protect your life above everything else.
Avoiding road rage
The managing director of MasterDrive, an advanced driving company, Eugene Herbert, says: “When many people get behind the wheel, their personalities change and the car now becomes a weapon. They also become impervious to the consequences and each time they escape these consequences, they become bolder.”
Top 10 tips for staying cool, calm and collected on the road:
- A key component of good driving is defensive driving where you anticipate the actions of others. When you drive defensively, you know someone’s going to cut you off long before they actually do.
- Adjust your driving style to allow other motorists to cut in, and save yourself the anger that comes with taking evasive action last second.
- Do not get IN your car when you are angry. Give yourself some time to cool off before driving; otherwise even the smallest mistake from another driver will seem much bigger than it is.
While some may use driving as a way to calm down, studies suggest this is not the best idea.
- Give yourself enough time to get to your destination. Running late will raise anxiety and frustration levels making you vulnerable to drastic reactions.
- Don’t drive when tired as it also raises your aggression levels.
- Find something that puts you in a good mood during your drive. This can be listening to a certain type of music or comedic skits. But remember, organise this before you start driving.
- If you know that you lose your temper easily, find methods of regaining your composure, for example, breathing exercises.
- Don’t drive in a way that will enrage other drivers either, for example tailgating and continually swapping lanes.
- Follow MasterDrive’s slogan: ‘drive nice, it’s contagious’. Many South African drivers will do their best to prevent another car from joining their lane. Driving like this sets you up for unnecessary anger and forces other drivers to take drastic measures.
- Just let it go.
Granted, the causes of road rage are more complex, but these measures may just help you keep your cool and avoid doing things you may regret later.
Be smart and avoid losing your cool by giving in to road rage, or becoming the victim of someone else’s. Be even smarter about your car insurance and contact Old Mutual iWYZE for affordable, comprehensive and reliable car insurance. Make the wise insurance choice and get a CAR INSURANCE QUOTE today.
Old Mutual Insure Ltd is an authorised FSP (FSP12). Risk profile dependent. Terms and conditions apply.
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