WHAT'S THE HURRY?

When you are driving within the speed limits, sometimes there is someone behind who just isn't satisfied to comply with the limits and begins to tailgate you. If you don't change lanes 'fast enough, fast enough' you might get a dirty look from the passing driver. Incidentally, that same car and driver happens to be parked next to you when you arrive at the next traffic light less than a minute or two later. You look across at that driver and ask yourself, "What's the hurry? He/she hasn't gone any further than I have. Does he/she feel it is a race to be won? What a waste of energy!" Obviously, there is something motivating such a driver to move so rapidly. But, even if it's a sense of urgency one driving like that is scary. It's beckoning for an accident.

Then you are at another stop light and it turns green but the car in front of you is hesitating to move on. The horn behind you beeps and as you look in your rear view mirror you see an angry face leer at you with a hand extended upward with the driver giving you that repulsive finger. Oh yes, such behavior is not limited to one's sex. What is it with some people?

Extend the emotions of these above situations a step further and we can arrive at incidents of Road Rage. Fortunately, most people have control of their driving and are able to manage their emotions. However, we never know what the personality of another driver is nor, for that matter, are we always able to monitor our own emotions. Everyone driving an automobile is motivated to reach a destination.

Psychology has identified Road Rage as an Intermittent Explosive Disorder, a condition in which there is a burst of aggression and violent behavior, noted in automobile driving. It is of particular interest to recognize that this kind of behavior is closely associated with problems of anger management that is not only connected to driving. A person who acts with uncontrolled anger while driving may have some difficulty in dealing with frustration. Sometimes a person may feel that being cut off by another driver in getting a parking space is unjust and objectively this behavior may be considered rude or impolite. But, what is really important to understand? It is that to allow your emotions to go out of control over such an incident is of no benefit to you. Maybe the frustration you experience motivates you to want to seek revenge or get even with the other driver. The question is why would you want to do that? Is it possible that you might be fraught with feelings of low self esteem? If, on the other hand, you feel annoyed momentarily by what the driver did then you will allow yourself to let your feeling dissipate and move to find another parking space because you were able to adjust your emotions and as often said, not take it "personally".

Driving an automobile is a very awesome responsibility and it's important to respect the privilege each of us has in using it. Driving defensively means not only to protect yourself but others as well. Don't let your motivation to get somewhere blind you from thinking logically. What's the hurry?