How I Handle Road Rage

by Diana Morgan
(Evansville, IN USA)

Years ago, when I was in my twenties, I guess I had a shorter temper and not much understanding of humans, in general. I think those are the reasons I'd swear at people who cut me off, and make nasty comments under my breathe, about those who drove too slowly. To the speeders, I'd try to catch up, and then give them the "evil eye." To the slow pokes, I'd honk and then just zip by them, in frustration.

But years have gone by, and I've matured. It took me awhile, but I finally figured out that people who cut you off and pass you at twice the speed limit, don't get much further than you do. I've tested this theory. In a five mile stretch, a driver will race by me and several other cars, then fly past some one else, and keep repeating this action, until I can't see him, anymore.

Several minutes later, I've stopped at a red light, and amazingly, there he/she is, right next to me! So what was accomplished here, I ask myself. Was the driver trying to prove who could get to this red light quicker? I seriously think that people like that either need to take some rage management classes, or have their license revoked, because they're a road hazard to all us normal drivers.

As for people who drive way below the speed limit, I've realized that most of them are older adults. I now understand that forty years ago, when these people probably got their license, driving 40mph was considered a speeding violation. They've driven this way all of their lives and no one is going to change that, so I just slowly pass them without getting the least bit upset. I'll be there some day, myself.