According to traffic experts, aggressive and reckless driving behaviour has been increasing as of late, with some jurisdictions considering increasing fines for offenders.
There’s a lot drivers can do to steer clear of this simmering aggression and stay calm, says Kurt Bartels of the German Federal Association of Driving Instructors. Doing so can avoid both dangerous situations and expensive penalties.
Q: What can you do if somebody on the highway drives up right behind you and starts tailgating?
Answer: Basically, you can try to block it out and stay calm. A change of perspective can also help; if you ask yourself why he is tailgating you, you might be able to understand it.
Q: And if you don’t understand it and feel that you’re in the right, what can you do then?
A: You shouldn’t engage in a game of chicken on the motorway, as is common among some men in particular. You’re better off moving over to the right when it’s safe to do so, letting the tailgater pass you and then being rid of them. In the end, the people doing the tailgating are the ones stressing themselves out.
Q: Do breaks help reduce stress?
A: Absolutely. Breaks are important for recharging your batteries. And if you're already stressed out, a break can help you bring your own “revolutions per minute” out of the red zone.
Q: Can you reduce stress through your driving style?
A: To stay relaxed, it helps if you do not constantly drive right at the speed limit on highways; if you drive the same stretch often, you’ll see that driving at higher speeds doesn’t get you places any faster. If you drive with a very high top speed on one occasion and a lower top speed the next time, you’ll find that the average speed for the two trips will be measured as virtually the same in the on-board computer.
Q: Why is that?
A: If you are always flooring it on the highway, you’ll have to hit the brakes much more often. This kind of driving not only makes you more aggressive, it wastes fuel and doesn’t bring you to your destination any sooner.
Q: Do you have any advice for commuters who often have to travel on busy roads?
A: If you have to drive in heavy traffic, you should start your commute a bit earlier. It’s often enough to start your trip just 10 minutes earlier than usual to avoid traffic and time pressure. And if your commute goes more quickly than usual, you’ll have a few extra minutes for a cup of coffee before starting your workday.
Q: So the general advice is: take your time and stay calm?
A: Definitely, yes. And if you’re really stuck in traffic, try to see it positively. You can listen to an interesting show on the radio or make calls through a hands-free system.
