How do you stay calm when driving, esp when stressful? (highways, road rage)?

Question

My biggest problem that totally jumpstarts my anxiety is driving. What used to be once fun, especially when I blasted the music has now turned into a daily "road rage" fest, with people who don't know how to drive, bad drivers, accidents, and people doing road rage left and right. Oh also driving about 800mph, and driving very angry as well.

How do you stay calm and collected when so many people have literally lost it, especially on the highways?

Angry, cigarette flicking, crazy, sudden fast jerky movements with their cars, it's as if they want to be goliath of the highways and kill us all.

I'm from thet NJ/NYC area so I guess that's why.

But it's quite honestly totally ridiculous, and it gets to me.

Is there anything we can do or any way to stay calm?

It's really really bad. :-(

Answer 1

People have become worse and worse drivers over the last few years. They are stressed out over their lives, work, family, etc.. and it seems they take it out on everyone on the road. They think that since they are miserable, everyone else should share in their misery. Well, I refuse to let them get to me because my health and well-being is too important to me. Instead, I listen to inspirational or new age music in the car which helps me to concentrate on driving calmly. I also plan one day a week when I do all my errands and that helps me so much.

You might try taking the bus if you can. It's always better to let someone else do the driving while you sit back and relax. Interestingly enough, I watch how the bus drivers deal with all the inept people on the road and I gain a bit of inspiration from them. The bus drivers do their job and most do it quite well so let them be an example to you.

Mainly, try to find alternative ways to get out of your car. Learn some relaxation techniques and most importantly, prat ice the art of driving from point A to point B without letting anyone get to you. Just know they are stupid and they just can't help themselves! Good luck and please try to be calm or else you incur many health problems that otherwise can be prevented.

Answer 2

I used to be like you. Then, one day, it occurred to me that all that anger was SOOOO pointless because nothing was being SOLVED. There was just anger and more anger.

Even though I resisted it, one day I grew up. Now, I drive all over the place perfectly relaxed in my own little world and ignore all the speeders, middle fingers, yelling, and other childish behavior.

Try it. It's really very simple. Just change your attitude.

Answer 3

Drive in the right lane and set your cruise.  If people want to drive this way let them....and smile to yourself as they cut people off in the lanes ahead of you and do the things road ragers do.

Smile because....your car insurance will always be lower than their's, you don't look like an a*****e and most likely five miles up the road they are developing anxiety themselves when they have a near death expericence because they drive like this.  Don't sweat it, just think of how non-ignorant you are when driving in a good manner.  Better safe than sorry!

Answer 4

i dont know  couse i dont ride in a car yet couse i'm to young

Answer 5

I totally agree with Paul. You just have to learn to accept the fact that bad drivers are everywhere, and getting riled up over them accomplishes nothing.

I figure that for every half hour I drive, I'm going to encounter at least three people who could easily give me fits. I've learned to accept that. How do I deal with it? Easy. As long as we don't hit each other, I will continue on my merry way and so will they. I don't gesture or make eye contact. I'll probably never see them again anyway, and no harm was done.

Years ago I used to fly off the handle and holler at other drivers. Eventually I wised up, and I'm glad I did.

Believe me, you'll get where you're going, and you'll be a lot healthier and happier when you arrive.

Answer 6

if someone angers me while I'm driving I just give them the finger WITHOUT looking at them.Then they get pissed off because they can't do it back.Makes me feel good.And I only swear while driving.I  use alot of curse words when driving.And I like to sing while I drive that calms me

Answer 7

I drive for a living so i know exactly what you mean.

even here in so called civilized canada we have our fair share of nutcases.

so what I do, is avoid traffic, by leaving a few mins earlier or later than the rush hour.  i listen to traffic reports and avoid accidents, construction areas, or anywhere there maybe tie ups.

if someone is driving irratically, i stay behind, if they're gaining on me, pull over, let the idiot pass, there's a cop up head to get him.

that's mainly how i deal with it. i see something stupid, and i cross my fingers and think you'll get it one of these days.

they do eventually get caught.  so next time you see a cop pull someone over, be glad someone got caught today :D

Answer 8

Give glory and Praises to GOD because he may have just saved you from an accident ahead. Keep your eyes on GOD and he will help you arrive safer and without Road Rage in your heart, To many people don't know God and think they own the road so don't let them worry you,God Bless

Answer 9

You sound like me on the road. It takes me an hour to drive to work, and it's only 20 miles away. Honestly, I can't help. I am bad myself. I swerve as if I'm gonna hit people and stuff. Last week I waved a knife at a guy who cut me off. I got problems.

Im looking foward to some answer you get. PLUS, listening to "Raining Blood" by Slayer doesn't help.

Answer 10

Buy a motorcycle and smile as you pass the stressed-out idiots in their sweaty cages.