These 8 Road Rage Triggers Could Drive You Or Someone Else Over The Edge

I was driving along the 401 yesterday, when a motorcyclist who was travelling at about 115km/hr suddenly braked in front of me, slowing down to about 80. Then, he slipped ahead of a large transport truck into the right-hand lane, and slowed down to almost 70 before rearing the bike back and popping a full-out wheelie that he extended about 20 metres along the highway. I was so startled and taken aback, all I could do was watch aghast and get totally out of his way. I thought for sure he'd lose control of the bike and be mowed down by the transport truck lurking behind him. Instead, however, he reared the bike back again and pulled another wheelie, this time setting off a guy in an Audi who attempted to chase him away in a wild goose chase through fairly thick traffic with speeds that had to be at least 160km/hr. The first thing I thought while watching the two motorists disappear ahead of me was this is precisely why we need police on the highways--to catch the reckless; the other thought I had was that there are very real triggers to road rage on the highway, and popping a wheelie is definitely one of them.

But what are other things that trigger road rage? Here's a list to keep in mind while your driving over the holidays. 

1. Cutting Off: This is one of the primary causes of road rage among males, having the potential to set off explosive behaviour and even pursuits.

2. Blocking the Passing Lane: If you're in the left lane and going considerably slower than the pack ahead of you, yield to those faster drivers coming up in your rearview mirror--just for courtesy. Once they've passed, and you insist on driving in the left lane, simply move back in.

3. Tailgating: This is another major trigger that can set people off. If you're stuck in traffic, tailgating the guy in front of you whose stuck behind 100 other cars is not going to make any difference, but could certainly create an altercation. Take a deep breath and back off. If you're being tailgated, and you want to communicate with the person, rather than hit your brakes and threaten a collision, simply flicker your hazards for a moment to remind the person that it's not safe.

4. Hand Gestures: I got into a situation once where I gestured to someone as if to say "What's the matter with you!" and he snapped and started chasing me down the highway. I made the decision then not to gesture to anyone, unless I'm thanking someone for letting me into their lane ahead of them (always a nice thing to do, though not practiced as much in Ontario as it is in Alberta for instance). And don't flip people the bird--there are incidents in which people have been stabbed or shot for doing so.

5. Horn Honking: I was in a hospital emergency parking lot, and backing along the side of the entrance, when a man pulling in honked at me--it really bothered me (ok, so I honked back--violating this rule). In Alberta, it's an unspoken rule that you don't honk at people for doing things that upset you--quite nice. Only honk if you need to, and don't do it to somehow get back at the person who honked first. The whole ridiculous thing can spiral and lead to a possible road rage incident.

6. Mobile Phones: This is another major trigger of road rage: texting and driving. Funny: so many of us do it, and yet completely freak out if we see someone else doing it. 

7. Headlights: Highbeaming the car ahead of you can really upset its driver, not to mention startle them thus possibly causing an accident. If you're driving with your high beams on a two-lane highway that is without street lights, remember to switch them off for oncoming vehicles. 

8. Eye Contact: How many times do you get upset at the person in the car ahead--say, for going too slow in the fast lane--and you roll up on them and shoot them cold stare? Best to avoid this altogether. Easier said than done, but it is another major trigger of road rage, and can set off a course of action that you will regret.

It's best to avoid conflict at all costs. In the heat of the moment, when your blood's boiling, just ask yourself this simple question: "What's your plan?" If it's driving up the other car's tail pipe and attacking the driver, then you have other issues. If it's just to get back at the 'offender', then you need to take a deep breath, relax, avoid the conflict, and move on. The highway, especially, can seem like a race, but it's really not. The most important thing is getting to your destination safely.