What is Road Rage and How to Deal With It?
ARTICLE
Just like people get angry in other aspects of life, there can be many reasons why people snap on the road.
Road rage, or "veirasing" in Norwegian, refers to aggressive and in the worst cases violent behavior on the road, often from a person behind the wheel. Road rage can include everything from swearing, shouting, gesturing, flipping the finger, reckless driving, and in some cases even physical violence. In other words, behaviors and actions that do not belong on Norwegian roads.
We asked our good friend, psychologist Svein Øverland from Overvinne, if he could help us understand how road rage occurs and what can be done to avoid it. Just like people get angry in other aspects of life, there can be many reasons why people snap on the road.
We asked our good friend, psychologist Svein Øverland from Overvinne, if he could help us understand how road rage occurs and what can be done to avoid it. Just like people get angry in other aspects of life, there can be many reasons why people snap on the road.
But in many cases, it can be:
- Stress and Time Pressure: When you're trying to get from A to B, you often need to be on time, and this can lead to time pressure. This can cause impatience and frustration.
- Anonymity: It's easy to get angry, give the finger, or scream at someone when no one knows who you are. Anonymity makes it easier to let all emotions loose.
- Control and Predictability: Being a road user is about control and predictability. When things don’t go as planned or expected, it’s easy to lose control and get angry.
- Poor Traffic Etiquette: If you are not used to being considerate in traffic, you might think you own the road, and then it’s easy to react extra harshly and for a long time if you encounter a like-minded person.
- A Bad Day: The driver might have had a bad day. Challenges and problems at home or in the workplace will affect us in all phases of everyday life, even when driving, and on bad days, the fuse is historically short.
A combination of the above reasons can also affect one's everyday life, of course.
Additionally, it is generally the case that we humans often behave worse than usual when we think we can get away with it. For example, people say much harsher things in online forums than in one-on-one situations. Sitting "safely" behind the wheel of a car can bring out the worst in us because we know that we will probably get away with bad behavior. If you've also had a bad day or have been irritated over time by cyclists or other drivers, it can feel good to "finally get back at them."
Svein's six tips for avoiding road rage:
- Plan Your Time: Try to allow a little extra time for your journey so you don't feel stressed if you encounter traffic problems. Being prepared can reduce the feeling of stress and time pressure.
- Keep Emotions in Check: Learn to recognize when you start to get irritated or angry. Taking a few deep breaths, listening to calming music, or taking a break can help calm you down.
- Focus on Safety: Always prioritize safety over getting to your destination quickly. Remember, the most important thing is to arrive alive and unharmed.
- Communicate Properly: Avoid using the horn unnecessarily and try to communicate with other drivers in a respectful way. Remember that they may also be stressed or having a bad day.
- Avoid Provocation: If another driver behaves aggressively, don't take it personally and try to avoid confrontation. Stay calm and let them pass if necessary.
- Know Your Vulnerabilities: Be aware of what stresses you and which situations are particularly triggering. Reflect on past situations where you have been angry but still behaved properly, and learn from what you did then.
By understanding why it occurs and following some simple tips, we can all contribute to a safer and more harmonious traffic environment.
Road rage is a serious issue that can lead to dangerous situations on the road. By understanding why it occurs and following some simple tips, we can all contribute to a safer and more harmonious traffic environment. Remember that a little patience and kindness can go a long way, for both yourself and other drivers.
Many thanks to our good friend, psychologist Svein Øverland, and the skilled people at Overvinne who helped us write this text.
Remember, as a student at Kör driving school, you always have access to one month of free use of the Overvinne app.
Many thanks to our good friend, psychologist Svein Øverland, and the skilled people at Overvinne who helped us write this text.
Remember, as a student at Kör driving school, you always have access to one month of free use of the Overvinne app.
