Counting to Ten Also Helps

(Cartoon from Lauber and Will Insurance)

Road rage, fortunately for most people, doesn't manifest itself in actions that injure people or damage property, Your humble blogger admits, however, that he does give in, once or twice a year, to yelling at another driver with the windows up or pressing on the horn. Most of the time I use mental tricks to defuse my anger:

[CHP Lt. Daniel] Hill recommends a familiar mindfulness practice to counter rising road rage: pausing a moment, then telling yourself, “OK, this person did something rude to me. What is happening in their mind? The reason they made an unsafe lane change or cut me off isn’t because they’re trying to ruin my day; maybe their day was already ruined by someone else, so they can’t focus.” Maybe they’re rushing home to a sick child, Hill added, or are terrified of being late for a job interview.

When concocting an imaginary narrative to excuse another driver doesn't work, contemplating the cost of an auto repair that can easily amount to thousands of dollars sobers one quickly.

I also envision the other driver getting an expensive ticket or an even more expensive repair if he continues driving in the same manner. It's not kind, I know, but it gets me home safely.