Keep calm and drive on  [Letter to the editor]

I’ve come to understand that reckless driving is a major threat to everyone’s safety on the road. When people drive hazardously on purpose, either out of spite or sheer carelessness, it’s known as aggressive driving. This can even escalate to road rage, a serious crime where someone intends to physically hurt others.

Here’s how I handle aggressive drivers and keep my own stress levels in check while driving:
To protect myself, I always make sure my car’s doors are locked when I’m dealing with an aggressive driver. In traffic, I leave enough space to manoeuvre around the car in front if necessary. 

I try not to take things personally. I stay polite and courteous, even if the other driver isn’t. I avoid conflicts as much as possible and, if challenged, I just take a deep breath and move out of the way. I never underestimate what the other driver might do.

As for reducing my own stress, I’ve learned that I can’t control the traffic, only how I react to it. Frustration, anger, and impatience are often the real dangers on the road, and I work hard to keep these emotions in check.

With the year drawing to an end, and patience running low, let’s remember to take a breath and keep our anger at a low. 
#TakeItEasy