How to not get so angry at other people?

Two bumper stickers. 1st Leave earlier so you don't tailgate me. 2nd Tailgating me won't get you there faster. A 3rd one for safe measure Student Drive Be Patient.(is still on my pickup) . When all else fails remember you share the world with humans.

 

This one is good to put on the windshield for my old friend Gen who drives in the left lane on I-15 from Salt Lake City all the way to California because he is about to make left turn in San Diego.

 

I know the feelings, have not ruptured yet, but I sometimes get followed by a Dodge pickup on hwy 12 from Wayzata MN to Delano MN. Because he cannot find the switch to turn off his fog lights, he gets to follow me at 48 MPH. I sometimes say after people pass me after tailgating, hope the therapy worked I know they feel better.

 

For some reason, people who hover at my left tail piss me off. Like what are you doing bro? Looking at me through my mirrors or asking to get killed? Don’t ride side by side pls.

Everytime I feel the anger rise up, I always play the song Endless love to calm me down. Do the same op, find ways to calm your nerves.

 

Just turn on the turn signal when you see them coming up behind you so they know your intentions.

Yeah, I know it's "too early" to need a signal for the turn that's half a mile away, and they were probably speeding anyway to catch up to you that fast.

 

It depends on WHO is pissing me off. 4 wheelers? Blah. Happens all the time. But when it's a big rig driver, that REALLY pisses me off. I expect 4 wheelers to do inconsiderate stupid stuff but I DON'T expect that out of a "professional" driver.

I can't tell you how many times I've followed a 66mph truck, went to pass him in a 71 mph truck and found myself stuck in the left lane unable to complete the pass. A line of pissed off 4 wheelers are on my rear trailer bumper and are mad at the wrong person.

Or the FedEx doubles driver that swerves and almost takes off your hood to make the next exit, only having the speed to pass you because YOU'RE following the posted construction zone speed limit.

 

So OP, you know your enemy. You know what you're capable of, meaning losing your ****. Here's what you have to remember, even when you're tired or it's been a long day: This is your living. This is your job. It's not that a'holes job. He's just another impatient 4 wheeler. You could lose everything. He likely has nothing to lose and that's why he drives like a tool.

Take it from me and these other old guys and just let it pass on by, even when you're in your personal. There are never any heroes in a road rage war.

 

After you calmed down figure out why you got that angry? What are your triggers? Identify them and then think, really think, about bad and worst case scenarios if your anger takes controls you.

 

For me in things like that, it helps me to really think a bit about how I felt like a total douche bag after I blew up. Then sometimes I remember it’s not worth it when the next opportunity comes up to lose my cool. It’s hard though, and happens so quick like you say that you’re in the thick of it before you know it.

I pulled out of a parking lot once in extremely tight surroundings and was unable to completely get my trailer out of the turning lane before a red light stopped me. A young man came around the passenger side and cut across in front of me to make the turn. As he came by, he waved the bird the whole time. Unfortunately my wife was riding with me and it has bothered her for a long time. She is very sensitive to that kind of thing. We need to be careful. Our tempers can hurt people far worse than we realize.

 

Back in the late 90's my kids would ride with me in the W900 in their car seat. I had a dude swerve in front of me and brake check me.. my only move was to jump left (looked in the mirror quick). Luckily I kept control of the truck. I look to my right and my 5 y.o. son was flipping him the bird.. I said you might as well give him both fingers.. so he did, while screaming "f##ker" at the top of his lungs. That dude accelerated and disappeared. Not sure why he brake checked me, but I'm sure a 5 y.o. pointing out what an ### he was might have been successful in him going away. The boy and I laugh about it to this day, but that type of reaction is not something either of us encourage any more.

BTW.. this whole covid thing has had me really on edge this year. I've had to work extra hard at being professional. I'm honestly scared of snapping, so I work hard at it.