(ThyBlackMan.com) You probably didn’t wake up this morning thinking that you would get into your car and start screaming at another person on the road. And, if you think about it, it’s pretty weird, isn’t it? You wouldn’t tell a stranger on the street half the things you would scream at them behind the wheel in the safety of your vehicle.
And yet, we all do it. Well, here are some simple ways to relax and keep your cool behind the wheel.
Don’t Personalize It
Don’t make it personal. That’s probably the worst thing you can do. You don’t know the other driver, and the other driver doesn’t know you. And, if you’re on the road, and get involved with a rental car that’s out of control, two things are probably happening. First, the person probably isn’t familiar with the car he or she is driving. 
Second, the other driver is probably completely oblivious to you.
In fact, he or she is oblivious to probably everyone. So, the person is being a jerk to everyone, not just you. We tend to personalize things like that out on the road when, in reality, it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with them.
Have Empathy
Think about the other person on the road and the possible reasons why they might be speeding or driving recklessly.
Suppose they just had a fight their spouse and are feeling emotional. Would you understand? Probably. But, suppose you think, “well, that’s no excuse for driving like that.” True. Now, consider what if the person just got word that their mom died, or their spouse was in a car accident, and all they can think about is getting to the hospital, or they’re trying to drive through the tears and are an emotional wreck.
Even if that’s not the case, you just plain don’t know. Have empathy for them in the worst possible situation and your perspective on bad drivers changes totally. Now, most people honestly aren’t driving recklessly because of a dead mother or a spouse in a car accident. Most of the time, they might just be inattentive. But, the empathy helps you see the best in humanity and forgive the idiosyncrasies that drive you nuts.
Don’t Expect People To Be Courteous
Don’t expect other people to be courteous because most people aren’t – not out on the road anyway. Most people have an entitlement mentality. They see something, they want it, they don’t care what they do to get it.
On the road, usually this equates to feeling entitled to getting that parking spot, feeling entitled about getting in front of you, and a whole bunch of other nonsense. You can’t fix their stupidity. But, you can let your frustration go.
Think About The Consequences To Yourself
You’ll feel more stressed out, angry, and helpless. And, at the end of it all, there’s nothing you can do about it anyway. It’s not like yelling and pounding your fist on the steering wheel actually gets the other driver to behave. In fact, they’ll probably flip you off and speed off, making you even more angry.
You might end up getting into a fight with your significant other, or even committing a crime. You don’t want that.
Keep your cool, and take a breather. At the end of the trip, you’ll get there in one piece and that’s what matters.
Staff Writer; Craig Johnson
