“Did you see that? Did you see what that driver did?” Your wife ignores you, which only makes you even madder. Your pulse is racing, your veins are bulging and you want revenge. Then she speaks, “Pull over, will you, I need to use the bathroom.”
You are like a lost puppy, that has been told it is not allowed to chase the rabbit. Somehow, whenever you get road rage, your wife finds an excuse to stop. You should be thankful. Angry drivers are more likely to cause accidents, and in some cases, a confrontation can lead to violence.
These are a some factors that increase the risk of road rage:
- Heavy traffic: Rush hours, Friday afternoons when everyone is trying to escape for the weekend and summer holidays can all have congestion, causing frustration.
- Hot weather: Think of the term hot-blooded. Being cooped up in a car with no air conditioning while the sun beats down can lead to frayed tempers.
- Fatigue: Feeling tired can leave you with less patience.
- Time pressure: Failing to leave yourself enough time for the journey can add pressure.
Any of the above factors can make drivers more susceptible to react when someone cuts them off, drives too close behind them or jumps the queue. If they react, the other driver may react back, escalating the situation.
If you feel upset about another driver’s actions, follow your wife’s example and find a place to pull over until you calm down. If an angry driver causes you to have an accident, seek legal help to understand your options. Road rage incidents can result in catastrophic accidents.