Aggressive driving behaviors often lead to hostile disputes among drivers and traffic crashes. Keep reading this post by USA Synthetics in Oklahoma City to learn how to face and avoid road rage.

We are all susceptible to stress or irritability at the wheel; for example, when another driver cuts us off, when we are late for work, or when we get stuck in traffic. Hence, we may let off steam by honking our horn, yelling at other drivers, or even giving the steering wheel a swipe; however, it is essential to recognize that any mild form of aggression at the wheel can be magnified into road rage. In itself, "road rage" is a term that describes behaviors associated with frustration at the wheel. These behaviors range from speeding to assaulting or threatening another driver; however, they are all characterized by disregarding the safety of other drivers so much that road rage is one of the leading causes of traffic crashes. If you are interested in this topic and want to learn how to avoid road rage in terms of dealing with angry drivers, de-escalating confrontations, preventing stressful situations, and improving your driving behavior, keep reading this post by USA Synthetics.

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How to React to Aggressive Drivers

Hopefully, you haven't been involved in a road rage encounter before; however, you never know when you might have to deal with an angry driver; therefore, we share with you some tips on how to de-escalate an unpleasant dispute on the road:

• Making eye contact or arguing with an angry driver can be interpreted as defiance and make the situation worse; therefore, we suggest you ignore whoever is aggressively approaching you; instead, keep your eyes on the road and continue on your way.
• Although uncommon, some aggressive drivers may engage in erratic and impulsive behavior to provoke the person they are in dispute with. That said, avoid reacting to any provocation you receive on the road, as doing so can escalate the aggression and put your safety at risk.
• In the worst cases, aggressive drivers may threaten and even assault other people; in such cases, it is best to call 911 for help and report them to the police.

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How to Avoid Road Rage Behaviours and Stay Calm

Well, after going over techniques for dealing with the aggressiveness of other drivers, it's time to address our own driving behavior. If you are prone to experiencing stress, impatience, or irritability while driving, pay attention to the following tips on how to avoid succumbing to aggressive driving and, consequently, road rage:

• Leave on time and plan your routes: People often speed and drive aggressively because of the stress of being late for school, work, or an important appointment. If you usually leave home late, we suggest you set your watch 10 to 15 minutes ahead of time to avoid rushing. On top of that, we recommend you download mobile traffic and navigation apps to check traffic before heading out of your house; this way, you can plan your routes and avoid the most congested roads.
• Listen to music: As you may already know, music is a great stress reliever; therefore, we recommend creating a playlist with songs that relax you and that you like. Listening to it will significantly help during stressful moments on the road.
• Keep your car in top shape: If you've ever had problems with your vehicle's performance, you know that this can cause stress when driving; for example, suppose your headlights emit a dim light at night, or you have problems with your brakes on the road. Ensure to keep up with your vehicle's maintenance schedule to avoid car trouble.
• Use your horn properly: Honking the horn is one of the most common mild forms of aggressive driving behavior in traffic; however, we suggest you avoid using it as a venting device; instead, use it only to alert other drivers to dangers on the road.
• Choose patience and politeness: Finally, opt for patience and courtesy behind the wheel. Keep in mind that other road users' driving mistakes are not always intentional; moreover, we are all prone to forget to put on our turn signals or headlights, cut someone off by accident, or drive slowly at times.

Staying on top of your car's maintenance is crucial to keep it in safe working order, reduce stress behind the wheel, and thus, avoid road rage. Call USA Synthetics at (405) 388-6170 or visit AMSOIL's online store to get the most effective synthetic oil in Oklahoma City.