How to Minimize Road Rage

Video Transcript

"Serious topic: road rage. Dr. Roadmap here. Unfortunately, it's becoming more prevalent throughout the country. According to the Texas Transportation Institute study, the road rage center (you know, ground zero) is in Southern California in Riverside county. But again, it's happening everywhere. Why so much road rage? First of all, think about the way that cars are marketed; some of the catch words, the slogans like "an aggressive multi-valve engine." "Own the road," which is so much as saying "to heck with everyone else." And the names of cars; Prowler, Stingray, Cougar, Jaguar. These all stimulate aggressive instinct in us. Of course, then you add stimuli, which is like getting "flipped off" or having someone honk their horn at you or tailgate you, and you can see why road rage happens. But you don't have to be a victim. Here's how to stay out of trouble. The number one rule is: don't drive slow in the fast lane. I mean, heck, that's where the Type A's hang out anyway. They are all in a hurry. So, if you want to be a speed enforcer, do it in the slow lane, not in the fast lane. The second thing to avoid being a victim is: don't tailgate. It drives people nuts. Also, don't, I mean, whenever you make a lane change, be sure to use your turn signals. Now I know in some parts, people think turn signals are for wimps. You still got to use them. In fact, one trick is just as you make your lane change, give a courtesy turn signal. It will make people feel better. The idea is to not offend them in the first place. As long as you don't do that, the odds of getting in road rage are much less. The other thing you want to do, of course, is don't use your horn. I know in other parts of the country, it's very common. But that's a way of getting people mad at you. And the primary rule overall is: don't engage people. In other words, if they do start racing or staring at you like they want to have you pull over. Don't do it. Don't look them in the eye; it's an animal instinct thing. And again, don't pull over if invited to do so. As I mentioned, five percent of people carry a gun in their car. You never know what's going to happen, so you might as well play it safe. "