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May/ June 2006
Could you be a highway time bomb?
A few days ago, I was nearly run off the road by a raging driver.
After giving this incident some more thought, it occurred to me that his behavior
was not an isolated incident. In fact, I believe that millions are hitting the
highways during the summer with underlying stress from other parts of their
lives, just waiting to erupt as road rage.
Research shows that 16 million people experience ‘intermittent
explosive disorder’ that emerges as aggressiveness on our highways, or
‘road rage’. This behavior becomes even more prevalent during the
summer holidays when millions of extra travelers hit the roads.
Triggering road rage reactions are: tight schedules, construction
delays, traffic jams, long commutes, inclement weather, screaming children,
gas prices and the behavior of other drivers.
Reactions to stress on the highway take the form of speeding,
running stoplights, tailgating, excessive weaving, yelling, using hand gestures
and even using the car as a weapon.
Pressure builds from conditions, and situations at home and
at work: major losses, financial pressures, relationship issues, family problems,
health issues and lack of life balance.
Examining your stress level will help you to avoid adding yourself
to the number of road ragers on our highways. Try my stress self-assessment
to analyze your own stress level, and get some tips to diffuse the pressure
that may lead to aggressiveness: www.soarwithme.com/road-rage-survey.html.
In the meantime, you can avoid reacting to road rage, by creating
a stress free environment as you prepare to hit the crowded highways. Here are
a few stress management techniques:
*Leave early and give yourself more than enough time. Time is the biggest stressor
for drivers.
*Study your maps ahead of time, so you know the route
*Get traffic reports ahead of time
*Unclutter your car
*Make yourself comfy in your car
*Fill your car with gas before you need it
*Make sure you have entertainment for your children
*Have comfort foods with you
*Listen to soothing music and tapes - aggressive music begets aggressive behavior
*Find other means of transportation or have someone else drive if you are excessively
stressed
*Use safe driving techniques
--Don’t use your cell phone unless you have to
--Use your turn signal when changing lanes
--Don’t tailgate
--Watch your speed limit
--Do not use your high beams UNLESS there are
 no other cars around
*If you encounter an aggressive driver, remember that he probably
has things going on in his life that are causing pressure.
--Give him space
--Feel sorry for him, he’s probably hurting
in some way
--Hope he doesn’t get hurt or hurt someone else
--Avoid retaliating with hand gestures
--Call 911with license plate number and location
if you feel it is a dangerous
situation
--Don’t roll down the window
--Take a few deep breaths and count to 10
I wish you all save driving, and please feel free to contact
me if you like. I always love hearing from you.
Again, to take the free stress self assessment survey and learn
how you can manage stress that may explode into road rage, go to www.SoarWithMe.com/road-rage-survey.html
Cheryl Perlitz is the author of the inspirational
book "Soaring Through Setbacks - Rise above adversity - Reclaim
your life" and “Soaring through Setbacks….Survival
Tips Handbook’
As a dynamic speaker
and facilitator, her inspiring, fun and motivational stories
help listeners and readers to "TRANSFORM THEIR MOUNTAINS INTO
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVENTURE AND POSITIVE CHANGE."
Cheryl is not a therapist, or medical doctor. She
does not have a PHD or an advanced degree in psychological theory.
She is a regular person, like most of us. She is a sought after
talk show guest because of her easy casual style, her ability to
tell wonderful stories that the listeners and readers can relate
to, and her understanding and compassion for others.
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