Defusing road rage.
- Thread starter BlackPanther
- Start date
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noodle
Active Member
- Location
- northern monkey
is there anything in your avatar? beard pipe etc?ha i didnt literally mean a punk (as in style) i should've been a bit more specific or used a more explicit word
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
Responding to abuse in a totally mad fashion takes the wind out of their sails.
A cheery "Yes, I'm rather fond of pilchards too" usually does the trick.
A cheery "Yes, I'm rather fond of pilchards too" usually does the trick.
My response to road rage is to respond with same. I get angry and that's not a voluntary decision, just my reaction to the adrenalin rush.
So far its worked in that I have had no incidents that have escalated into a fight. The post stress migraine usually knocks me out for a day though.
My response may not be best and not one I would intellectually choose, but there's an evolutionary purpose to an angry face. It warns the aggressor that the target of their aggression isn't scared and an attack carries risk. Most bullies are cowards and back off it there's a threat to their own safety.
So far its worked in that I have had no incidents that have escalated into a fight. The post stress migraine usually knocks me out for a day though.
My response may not be best and not one I would intellectually choose, but there's an evolutionary purpose to an angry face. It warns the aggressor that the target of their aggression isn't scared and an attack carries risk. Most bullies are cowards and back off it there's a threat to their own safety.
Archie_tect
De Skieven Architek... aka Penfold + Horace
- Location
- Northumberland
Operative word is 'most'... just takes one nutter who is off the scale of 'normal' to escalate a trivial passing moment into something out of hand.
Admittedly this could happen regardless of what we do!
noodle
Active Member
- Location
- northern monkey
I'm am about as placid as you could be right bear with me you will not find someone more unmoved by anything this side of a world record bid for most hemp product imbibed in an hour competition
But put me in around cars where people get silly and I can become somewhat slightly 'less relaxed' if you drive do not brake check me I will hit you
Do not try and fit in a gap that isn't there I will hit you
Now bearing in mind it seems cyclists get this behaviour thrown at them I've never felt the red mist for a cyclist as they don't generally pose a threat I do worry I won't see one and try and drive in a way where I am likely to do 'less' damage should I not see someone at a busy choke point or awkward junction rambling away now
Anyway yes there are people who do lack boundaries when placed under duress. I live with one every day and it takes so much control not to stop the car/bike and stop someone else attempting to drive.
There have been instances where I was not able to calm myself enough to avoid a confrontation
But put me in around cars where people get silly and I can become somewhat slightly 'less relaxed' if you drive do not brake check me I will hit you
Do not try and fit in a gap that isn't there I will hit you
Now bearing in mind it seems cyclists get this behaviour thrown at them I've never felt the red mist for a cyclist as they don't generally pose a threat I do worry I won't see one and try and drive in a way where I am likely to do 'less' damage should I not see someone at a busy choke point or awkward junction rambling away now
Anyway yes there are people who do lack boundaries when placed under duress. I live with one every day and it takes so much control not to stop the car/bike and stop someone else attempting to drive.
There have been instances where I was not able to calm myself enough to avoid a confrontation
Just your normal everyday behaviour then........
BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
I hate the thought of having to deal with uk drivers and their shitty attitudes again....out here I've forgotten what a car looks like.....speed limits are lower...65 kmh on main highway here....and enforced vigorously....the UK really sucks when it comes to driver attitudes towards cyclists...mostly those drivers with such shitty attitudes on th eroads have th esame attitude off the roads in other walks of life as well....time to re educate in the ways of common courtesy, respect for others, and simple manners.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
To be fair, I find most motorists are courteous, friendly, and respond positively to a thumbs up or cheery wave. The number of utter chumps I meet while out on a bike is probably no greater than the number I encounter while out on 4 wheels.
J.Primus
Senior Member
- Location
- Northerner living in London
Agreed. Despite themselves British drivers are on the whole very good. Having both Holland and France nearby skews our perception of how safe our drivers are as drivers there are so courteous to the point they'd be considered outliers on a global scale. I'd certainly rather cycle here than Ireland, Portugal or heaven forbid the USA!
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luckyfox
She's the cats pajamas
- Location
- County Durham
See girls have this nailed down. No bad words, no shouting, just wear your short shorts and a tight top, blow kisses and smile... problemo solved!
J.Primus
Senior Member
- Location
- Northerner living in London
Does that work if it's a woman whose just tried to kill you?See girls have this nailed down. No bad words, no shouting, just wear your short shorts and a tight top, blow kisses and smile... problemo solved!
luckyfox
She's the cats pajamas
- Location
- County Durham
It's "If I could be your hero, if I could be your God!"
Strangely more appropriate :P I like your idea.
jonny jeez
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chislehurst, Kent, UK
As others have said...A great way to diffuse road rage is to not start it in the first place.
I despair at bloody zounds.
I despair at bloody zounds.
