Road Rage - A Police Perspective

What Fuels A Road Rager?
Traffic Leads To Frustration, Anger

(Note: See below about safety lectures to "curb the rage behind the wheel".)

POSTED: 3:19 pm PST March 24, 2004
UPDATED: 4:24 pm PST March 24, 2004

SAN DIEGO -- In the past two weeks, three violent road rage incidents have been reported on San Diego roadways. What is making motorists so mad, is the problem escalating and what can drivers do to manage their anger?

Many people who find themselves stuck in traffic during their workweek commute can get frustrated and downright angry.

"When it's slower, people get frustrated and that frustration leads to bad driving, criminal driving, even criminal offenses," San Diego Police Sgt. Jeff Fellows.

A lot of people feel others just don't know how to drive -- not as well as them, anyway.

Psychologist Dr. Steven Buckey said a sure sign of a potential road rager is that it's always someone else's fault.

Buckey said to ignore that speeding driver or someone else you think is way out of line.

"Don't take it personally. Focus on the source of rage from him or her as their problem," Buckey said.

Since the guy in the next car probably doesn't know who you are, many people feel they can give other drivers a piece of their mind -- they're anonymous.

Fellows said all the metal around people in cars makes them feel protected. But when people get angry at other drivers, they are really just hurting themselves.

So what should a driver do when he or she has been wronged?

Ignore it. Although it sounds simple, Buckey said it works. He said people who have been wronged should let it go and loosen up.

They should also pay attention to their bodies. Do they have a death grip on the steering wheel? Are their muscles tense?

Another idea to reduce stress while driving is to carpool. It gives a person someone to talk to and takes his or her mind off traffic troubles.

Note: For more advice on "how to calm the rage, or how to handle someone else who's raging behind the wheel"...check www.monicazech.com and contact El Cajon Fire's Monica Zech for a traffic safety lecture. She's done research with The California Institute of Transportation Safety at San Diego State University and the Office of Traffic Safety. She offers valuable advice for a safer ride for your group or company safety meeting. Or call her direct at (619) 441-1615.