Preventing Road Rage: 6 Tips to Stay Calm Behind the Wheel
When road rage happens often, it may be time to try some of these tips to help calm you down.
Sometimes driving can be frustrating. You can encounter an inexperienced driver, unexpected construction, or traffic jams. If you regularly find yourself yelling behind the wheel, or even driving recklessly as a response, it might be time to try and work on that anger.
There are many practical ways to help reduce road rage. If you find that your feelings of anger and frustration persist, it may be helpful to consult the help of a mental health professional.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Road traffic injuries and deaths — A global problem.
Deffenbacher, J. L., et al. (2016). Driving anger as a psychological construct: Twenty years of research using the driving anger scale. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour.
Ellison-Potter, P., et al. (2001). The effects of trait driving anger, anonymity, and aggressive stimuli on aggressive driving behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2022). Speeding.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Drugged driving DrugFacts.
Sansone, R. A., et al. (2010). Road rage. Psychiatry.
Shamoa-Nir, L. (2023). Road rage and aggressive driving behaviors: The role of state-trait anxiety and coping strategies. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives.
Su, Z., et al. (2023). The relationship between aggressive driving and driver performance: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Accident Analysis & Prevention.
World Health Organization. (2022). Road traffic injuries.
For additional resources or to connect with mental health services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For immediate assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
