How to keep calm on the road

Last year, Léger Marketing released a poll saying nearly 80 percent of Canadian drivers sometimes showed aggressive behaviour on the road, which is a more polite way of saying Canada's got some serious road rage.

So having road rage is normal then?

Angry driver

That surprising statistic means most of us lose patience when stuck in traffic, or might be inclined to curse at other drivers from time to time. Just because we're all human, it doesn't justify not being able to control our anger (or swearing like a pirate).

Why does road rage happen?

Everyday life is all about rushing from place to place and task to task, so when you suddenly find yourself slowed down in heavy traffic, it can be a shock to the system. Encountering a dangerous driver can also make you agitated.

What are the dangers of road rage?

It's impossible to be focused on the road when you're in a white hot rage. You're not watching other drivers, you're slamming down on the accelerator and brake pedals too hard, and you're missing dangers. The consequences of road rage can be deadly.

What do I do if someone else on the road is raging?

"If you are confronted with a driver with road rage, all you can do is stay in your car. Don't react to their words or gestures, avoid visual contact, let them take the road, and take their plate number if you need to," says Cedric Essiminy of CAA-Québec. "If you feel you're in danger, call the police, and tell the person that you're calling the police. Sometimes that will be enough to calm them."

Got any tips on how to keep calm on the road?

  • Don't leave at the last minute. Give yourself a bit of extra time to get from point A to point B.
  • Being stressed out in general is a bad idea, so take up a hobby that can calm you down so you're cool as a cucumber in aggravating situations.
  • If you have to drive to work everyday, go for a walk and eat a healthy breakfast beforehand, so you're not groggy behind the wheel.
  • Just breathe when you begin to feel stressed out behind the wheel. Taking 10 deep breaths can relieve the stress.