Driving rage..

[emsmar]

Does anyone else absolutely crack up when driving? I'm usually very mild mannered, calm, rarely lose my temper but recently I've been losing my temper so much with other drivers. People not indicating off roundabouts, people driving up my back (even if I'm doing speed limit or just over) just general wanker behaviour. Is that normal to scream expletives at the top of your lungs or do I need to get a grip of myself?

I think it’s totally normal to think “wanker!!” in the moment but then for it to pass the second you go past. More than that seems like quite an overreaction tbh.

But there seem to be a lot of terrible drivers on the roads, I don’t know if lockdown has made everyone forget the rules of roundabouts / how to indicate / why you shouldn’t undertake etc.

Yeah see that's what I'm worried about, that it's not normal. I end up feeling worn out, angry and upset by the time I get home!

Something that helped me - my driving instructor told me how much focus you lose in the moments of road rage, and that you’re more likely to have an accident yourself if you don’t let the moment go. She said to acknowledge the frustration but then move past it the second you are, totally let it go as it’s done, you can’t do anything about it but you’re putting yourself in more danger if you hold on to it.

Maybe that would help you.

I do swear a lot at other drivers but don’t really feel rage. I’m always slightly scared that if there is any sort of accident that the police would hear my language on my dash cam!

I read something recently that said, if you just say to yourself that some people will just drive like idiots and not be considerate enough to indicate, it can help you accept that’s just how it is and stops you being so enraged by other people’s behaviour that you just can’t control.

You need to get a grip and maybe take a break from driving if it’s causing you that much rage, it doesn’t sound like a healthy reaction.

I have a bit of road rage, but not to the point of shouting or gesturing. I talk to myself - "you could get a bloody bus through there" etc.

I'm getting a bit sick of people driving up my backside. I'm quite a brisk driver and don't hang about, but even when I'm doing the limit and not pootling along, there's always someone on my tail. I used to hang a soft toy zombie with a glaring face looking out of my back window and it wasn't as much of a problem. I think I need to get a replacement.

I shush at anyone who gets ragey towards me. It makes them mad and calms me down.

Like if someone has right of way and they just sit there staring at you and it's like FUUUCKING GOOOOOOO. I wouldn't gesture at anyone but I properly scream. The thought of anyone seeing me or hearing me makes me quite sad! I'm ashamed of it!

@TheNoiseIsDrivingMeMad

I have a bit of road rage, but not to the point of shouting or gesturing. I talk to myself - "you could get a bloody bus through there" etc.

This is what I do! Sort of a running commentary "oh what an idiot, don't your indicators work, oh look another idiot, there's no space there" etc etc but not to the level of shouting.

I think if it's making you so angry you're shouting at the top of your voice then I'd be worried you're either really distracted and shouting, or losing focus because you're so annoyed!

Don't stress about it. The roads are full of useless and aggressive drivers round our neck of the woods. I particularly like the ones who overtake me and then I'm behind them at the next set of lights, ha!

@emsmar

Like if someone has right of way and they just sit there staring at you and it's like FUUUCKING GOOOOOOO. I wouldn't gesture at anyone but I properly scream. The thought of anyone seeing me or hearing me makes me quite sad! I'm ashamed of it!

Even if I had right of way, if I could see someone in their car clearly top of their lungs screaming "effing gooooooo" I'd probably be so shocked I'd pause too 😂

I mean, I'll say stuff like "for fuck's sake, GO!" or "and doing that achieved what?!" but it lasts about two seconds and they're not incidents I'd remember for longer than a few minutes.

Screaming in your car sounds hugely OTT. I think if I was a passenger I'd actually be quite scared if the driver started doing that.

@fairylightsandwaxmelts

I mean, I'll say stuff like "for fuck's sake, GO!" or "and doing that achieved what?!" but it lasts about two seconds and they're not incidents I'd remember for longer than a few minutes.

Screaming in your car sounds hugely OTT. I think if I was a passenger I'd actually be quite scared if the driver started doing that.

Totally. I'd be scared too! My ex used to start arguments with me in the car and I was an absolute mess. Terrified. He'd take it out on his driving and other road users. I think hearing these things help and I'll definitely be more mindful when driving.

You need to get a grip or, if you can't, you need to stay off the roads.

I only lose it if they put me in danger. I see so much poor driving generally, you have to live with it