How to prevent road rage on your next drive

It’s a temptation that never goes away. The streets of Metro Manila have had their fair share of road rage incidents and as time passes by, these cases seems to be worse than ever. One example was the recent gun-toting incident in EDSA where four armed men assaulted the driver of an SUV. The said incident remains under investigation, and road rage has been noted as one of the possible motives. By definition, road rage involves an act of violence that can be categorized as criminal if it is caused by improper driving techniques such as tailgating, speeding through red lights or overtaking. Of all the causes of road rage in the country, aggressive driving is one of the main reasons behind the majority of incidents. Metro Manila’s congested roads also contribute to heated situations. So, how do you prevent prevent road rage? Below are some useful tips you can practice to help you keep a cool head the next time you hit the streets.

Plan ahead

Look out for news and announcements that include traffic and road congestion updates, especially if you travel the roads involved daily. Plan different routes and research the alternative roads you can take to avoid the affected areas. This saves you both time and stress when going to your next important appointment.

Listen to soothing music

Relaxation is one of the best methods to calm the mind and relieve anger that traffic often brings. Instead of listening to songs or news that make your blood boil, play something soothing and more natural. If you have a companion, have a positive conversation and never talk about how bad the traffic is; doing so simply aggregates the situation.

Get plenty of sleep

A lack of sleep can often lead to serious depression and anger issues. People who have not had enough sleep lack focus, and are at times irrational. As such, they are susceptible to being controlled by their emotions rather than by reason. Sleep for at least six to eight hours, especially if you are planning a long drive the next day.

The road is for everyone

For some unknown reason, Filipinos are always in a hurry and on the streets most drivers want to be ahead to avoid the traffic build up. But this mentality is also why so many fall into the trap of aggressive driving. When someone cuts in front of you, just let it go; it’s not worth your time to get angry. And Always maintain the prescribed speed limit.

Don’t drink and drive

Not only does being drunk increase your chances of being involved in an accident, it also subjects you to negative emotions such as sadness and anger. When you are in a group, always have someone who is sober to drive the car.