What do you do to prevent road rage?

Question

What do you do to prevent road rage?

Answer 1

My sister-in-law has a neat trick.  If a driver does something to upset her, instead of giving them the finger, she gives them a big thumbs up, but with the exact same motion as if someone was flipping you off.

It takes the other drivers a second to figure it out, and then they realize they've been flipped off in a way that's not so offensive.

Answer 2

Put on some good tunes, drive and pay attention. Ignore other drivers for the most part. (safety first)  I stay in the right lane and just go 55-60 mph if I can (highway).  I'm not in a hurry.

Answer 3

Live in a state where it is legal to carrya  firearm in your car without a permit, and suddenly roadrage is reduced drammatically...

Answer 4

bump them off the road on "accident"

Answer 5

What I do is not drive

Answer 6

Humility and.... calmness.... yeah...

Answer 7

Lately, when I drive I practice "Zen Driving".  I didn't think I'd like it but with gas prices the way they are -- and always will be-- I've started to pretend there's an egg between my foot and the accelerator.  I try to anticipate red lights and stops and slow so I can avoid coming to a complete stop.  

On the freeway I keep her around 55mph since this is the optimum for gas mileage.  I don't fight or prowl for parking spaces... this use gas!

The benefit of driving like this - saving gas, but also I've found it is actually relaxing.  Let everyone else be P.O.'d - I'm cruisin' brothah!

I commute by bicycle though and I need to work on the road rage.  Yes cyclists have it too - whether it's other cyclists breaking the law, endangering pedestrians or generally acting stupid around me or motorists who seem determined to kill me I can get pretty worked up.

I've countered this rage by trying to be helpful and engaging.  I won't turn or pass in front of your vehicle unless I have eye contact with you.  I act like a car at stop signs and go over the top in courtesy with pedestrians.  If you're on a bike acting stupid, I'll gently try and "educate" you about the example your setting - I'll give tips to riders who are struggling - maybe out for the first time:

"Hey, always pass on the left, OK?  Watch for the pedestrians or we'll get a bad rep!"

"Hey man, I don't want you to get a ticket!  It's $242 for failure to stop!"

The feelings of good will (and hopefully karma) just seem to grow exponentially... kinda like on My Name is Earl.

I also like to sing while riding -- "I can't drive 25" ala Sammy Hagar.

Answer 8

stick a six-shooter out the window, just for show of course.  People tend to be polite after that.  This is Texas after all.

Answer 9

give them an ice cream cone. it always make my day better by eating ice cream.

Answer 10

Try to stay calm and listen to music.

Answer 11

There is no way to prevent road rage!  People are just stupid drivers sometimes and you can't help but get mad!