Road Rage: A Guide for Irish Learner Drivers
Road rage affects over two-thirds of Irish drivers, according to recent AA Ireland research.
Unfortunately, this percentage is like to be even higher for learner drivers, meaning that you’re bound to encounter it at some point.
Well, Illegitimi non carborundum!
Below, Driving Class looks at some ways to deal with road rage so that it doesn’t negatively impact your driving experience.
1. Focus on the task at hand
The best way to reduce road rage is to become a more competent driver.
If you’ve made a mistake during your driving lesson, acknowledge it with the other driver, and learn from it.
Learn something from every mistake.
How other people react to your mistakes is not under your control.
During a driving lesson, your focus should be to become a better driver and to prepare yourself for the driving test.
2. Acknowledge them and move on
Engaging with a driver who’s suffering from road rage won’t help anything.
The only reaction should be to acknowledge them and to drive away.
Engaging with them can only serve to exacerbate the situation.
Whatever your mistake, remember that the road rage is never justified.
Nobody learned to drive a car without being a learner driver first.
It’s just that there are people out there that seem to have forgotten this.
3. Engage with your driving instructor
Few people have been at the sharp end of road rage as much as the average driving instructor.
In the same way that the reassuring voice of a pilot can talk passengers through a period of bad turbulence, your driving instructor will help you to keep calm during road rage.
Listen to their instructions throughout.
When the road rage incident has passed, absorb their valuable feedback on the situation just encountered.
4. Pull over if you need to
Never be afraid just to pull over and park up safely if you feel that’s the best thing to do in the moment.
Road rage can leave its victims flustered and anxious.
When this happens, parking up and composing yourself for a few moments can be a good way to find a better headspace.
Pulling over will also enable you to see the road rage driver driving off into the distance… a good outcome for everybody!
Conclusion
Road rage is an unfortunate reality — even when you’re driving well.
Driving Class instructors have all encountered road rage incidents throughout their careers and know how to deal with it.
By becoming a competent driver, you will limit your exposure to the perpetrators of road rage and find a happy space behind the wheel.
Safe driving!
