Self control

[M_Six]

I started this as a paragraph in my last response to CERuppel's excellent thread, but it started to drift off topic, so I decided to start a new thread.

My biggest issue with self-control comes when I get behind the wheel. I know I have a lot of work to do with my driving manners. I HATE getting caught behind slow people. I don't do anything stupid like tailgating old ladies or flashing high beams at grandpa. But I do get irked at morons crawling in the left lane whilst yakking on the cell phone or bozos sitting at green lights because they're not paying attention. My self-control temporarily takes a holiday and I say something in anger about the offending doofus. Then I catch myself and shut up. But I know it bothers whomever is in the car with me and I get angry at myself for my lack of control. In ANY OTHER situation, I have complete control over my reactions. People who know me regulary comment that I'm so easy going except when I get behind the wheel. If I only had a dime for every time I've heard that. What is it about driving that makes me nutso? Does anyone else have this problem? Or is there some other situation that regularly causes you to lose your self-control?

[Knothead]

I know what you mean, M_Six, I'm like that too. I can only guess that when we're driving, it becomes a process, (i.e., getting from point A to point B) and being hampered from doing so cleanly and efficiently causes the anger.

I only get mad at careless or non-attentive drivers, though. Freeway jams don't affect me much.

[SeanC]

I have that problem too.

Although I've gotten much better at not getting angry. The only time I usually do now is if I have a near accident because the other guy wasn't paying attention (either talking on the phone, watching some girl/guy walking down the road or just not paying attention to the road in general). If I'm almost in an accident then the words fly. Otherwise I'm okay now.

For slow drivers, I'll just pass them when it's safe.

When I have a tailgater when I'm in the right lane, I slow down to exactly the speed limit to make them angrier and then I feel even better.

(Yes I know that's not very nice.) But they can pass me easy enough.

Sean

I use my bicycle for anything within 20 miles.

Ya just need to lighten up. When you're 98, looking back on your years in the twilight hours of your life, being stuck in traffic with terrible drivers won't be on your mind.

[Terminal23]

This is a good subject.Self control is one thing I don't have.When I get peed off at someone the first thing that flies out of my mouth is F this and F you.Unfortunately I have a very short fuse.I realize this isn't healthy in the long run.But, in the short ,it seems to help.In reality, I'd like to actually punch them in the face.It's amazing I haven't been involved in more fights.I think the only thing that even remotely helps me control my anger is fear of going to prison.I do have a fantasy though where I plow my car into the side of anybody tail gating me.Road rage is such a wonderful thing.

[Chuckiechan]

If you have a tailgater, use your windshield washers! Work every time. The air flow blows it back on their window and they don't usually know what it is!

[OuTpaTienT]

Windshield washers is a great trick for tailgaters. Doesn't help when you're stuck behind a moron that doesn't understand the concept of "slower traffic keep right" and also doesn't seem understand that it's the law.

I've grown out of my tailgating days. One particular incident that helped me grow beyond needing to tailgate was the time I was unknowingly tailgating an undercover (or plainscothes) cop. He eventually moved over, let me pass, then stuck his light in the window and pulled me over.

There's nothing wrong with a quick flash of the high beams to suggest people ahead of you move to the right. It's standard practice on the Autobahn. This should only be done in the left lane however. I had some idiot flash me the other day while in the slow lane. Needless to say it encouraged me to drive even slower.

[Mike]

When someone is tailgating me I usually don't worry about it. If I am by myself I just keep on going like nothing is happening. Eventually they either run into someone or they get a nice ticket for it.

Standard procedure on the Autobahn? Is that in the U.S. now? It depends when you're driving in the left lane. Around town it doesn't matter where you are, slow cars will be all over the place.

I usually don't have too much road rage. The worst that will happen is I will pass the person and just give them a quick dirty look. Never going to swear at them or give them the finger or what have you.

[Gomer]

I have little tolerance for people tooling along in the left lane on the interstate. I will lay back for a while but if they don't realize I am there I will try to make my presence noticed. I'll "knock on their door."

I don't ever have problems with tailgaters on the major highways... unless of course I have just had to pass the aformentioned idiot above by going into the right lane. Occasionally I will drift back over in front of them and slow down a bit so maybe they would figure things out.

Was driving with some girl once who was one of those left lane idiots. She would just tool along in the left lane with all sorts of people forced to pass her on the right. Thing was she would chastise them for doing so and speed up to try to get them from going past. And this was on pretty uncongested sections of highway. Much to my girlfriends chagrin, I pointed out some of the finer rules of the road to her. May have accidently used the word idiot once or twice.

Yeah, I'd have to say idiots out for a sunday drive in the left lane warms me up pretty quick.

[OuTpaTienT]

Originally posted by Mike
Standard procedure on the Autobahn? Is that in the U.S. now?

Unlike freeways in America, the Autobahn is a place where people know how to drive.