How to Drive With a Hysterical Passenger

People get hysterical in cars for many different reasons. Among them are health problems, child issues and fears about the driver's ability. Distractions are the key factor in most accidents, and having to drive with a hysterical passenger can endanger you and the other passengers. Here are some tips for diffusing tense situations while you're in your car.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Keep your eyes on the road. Whether it is a loud child, a finicky mother or a backseat driver, don't let them take your focus. No matter what they are telling you or how tense your passenger makes you, keeping your eyes on the road is job one.
2. Talk them down. If your passenger is injured or hysterical for medical reasons, keep calm. Talk to them in soothing tones, and try to diffuse their anxiety while you drive. Let them know they'll soon be in a hospital or at home and in the hands of a medical professional.
3. If the person is expressing some fear, whether rational or irrational, talk them through it. Let them know you are there to support them and protect them. Then use calm, reasoned logic to show them that the fear is overblown. If you can pull over to discuss the fear, do so.
4. Ignore the negative talk. Passengers tend to be better drivers when they are not driving. They will give you advice and ridicule your driving abilities. Don't let them get under your skin. No matter what their advice is, you must remain in control so long as you sit in the driver's seat.
5. Pull over if you find yourself distracted to the point of driving poorly. Take a breather at a rest stop. Collect yourself and then calmly tell the person that you will not continue the journey unless he stops his behavior.
6. Let them drive. When a passenger is someone who makes you nervous or who continually distracts you, hand them the wheel. This will keep both of you calm and safe.