I’m a generally calm and laid-back person: I don’t hold grudges, I meditate on my yoga mat regularly and I understand that I have to pick and choose my battles when it comes to other people. That being said, when it comes to bad drivers on the road, it becomes extremely hard for me to keep my cool.
When another car on the road pisses me off, you can be sure that a colorful array of words will be escaping my mouth. Swear word after swear word will be yelled at full volume, even though I am well aware that the driver of the other car can’t hear me. If that car happens to pull up alongside me at the next red light, I’ll be sure to flash them a middle finger before I drive away. But that’s it, that’s the extent of my reaction to other people on the road. I yell and curse to release my anger and then I let go of the whole situation. Thus, when my friends from other states call me “an aggressive New Jersey driver” with a severe case of “road rage,” I get a little offended.
I’m a safe and courteous driver—I make room for people who want to merge into my lane, I don’t tailgate the slow driver in front of me and I always, always use my blinker when I’m switching lanes or making a turn (that’s what it is there for, people).
From the day I got my driver’s permit, my parents taught me the importance of being a defensive driver. I have been trained to assume that other people on the road have little to no regard for me so I do not depend on other drivers to obey the laws of the road. When I’m driving, I’m always aware of what other people are doing such as swerving uncomfortably close into my lane or if they are riding my ass. I make sure to take myself out of any risky road situations instead of expecting that other people will be courteous or do the right thing.
Yes, I curse at the cars who cut me off, completely disregarding my safety. Yes, I flip off the driver who was too busy texting to keep their car from almost hitting mine. But I have never and I will never, stop my car to get out and start a fight with another driver. I would never dream of purposely tapping the car in front of me at a red light because they have been swerving across lanes for miles. I have no desire to jeopardize my safety or the safety of other drivers simply to prove a point or exert my dominance on the road.
I don’t have road rage when I drive. Trust me, I have seen plenty of enraged drivers do plenty of idiotic things—I am from New Jersey, don’t forget. But I know better than to let my anger or frustration get the best of me. When I yell or curse (with my windows up, I might add), I’m releasing the angry tension that has pent up inside of me in a way that doesn’t put other people or myself at risk. I’m not looking to start a fight with another driver, but I’m also not afraid to use my horn to make others aware of when they have done something wrong. I vent my anger, but never in a way that escalates the situation or promotes violent reactions.
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, venting road frustrations is normal and healthy, so long as the venting is done appropriately. So let me roll my eyes and curse away my annoyance at that idiot who nearly caused a three car accident. It’s the Jersey way, so deal with it.
