Dealing with Road rage

[spottedtango]

I was wondering how other people deal with anger (in a constructive way) behind the wheel or bars when someone does something stupid or scares the living shit out of you.

I used to be fairly calm on the roads and I could deal with most stupid things. Occasionally now I find myself more angry at other people and I know that its not a good thing to get so riled up and I've noticed my vocabulary of swear words increasing.

I find what triggers my anger more than anything is that its the same things that I keep seeing, being cut up, people trying to share the same space as me, being tail gated (especially during rush hour). Its like Im expecting it but when it does happen im still annoyed. I know im not a perfect rider/driver and that I make mistakes too and that I should give other people leeway to do the same on the road.

[Itchy]

Stop get off and have a smoke/cigar/lollipop (yes I like lollipops). Or simply leave earlier so there isn't so much traffic to be dealing with or both...


This is because you're on a bike. Drivers are surrounded in a ton of steel. Society has also been fostering a large group of sociopaths who will not hesitate to harm you.

For instance this.

https://metro.co.uk/2015/11/19/nurse-drove-into-biker-and-assulated-him-after-he-spotted-her-using-a-phone-while-driving-5512322/

The purp who hits you will get a short suspended sentence and will cry in court and the judges will be super lenient to them. After all bikers are viewed as big dangerous kitten killers.

8 years ago I was different though...

I would kick cars, I would open the rear doors of cars and ride off. I would also get chased and I would lead them to forward facing speed cameras which would enrage them even more as they got flashed and I didn't. Even after I escaped I'd think that was dumb. But being chased by a performance car at 70-80+ on urban roads...
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Nobby the Bastard]

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter whether you are in the right or wrong, angry or sad, if the car/driver goes over the top of you you are still dead.

Learn to keep your distance, bothe physically and emotionally.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Undinist]

[esullivan]

I find motorbiking to be almost the perfect activity for practicing mindfulness/zen meditation. You are constantly challenged to maintain your focus on your calm, observant, non-judgemental core. Observe the idiot. Accept the idiot. He/she just is; nothing you can do to control that or make it go away. Move on, and away from the idiot. It just washes over you.

Saying and doing is two very different things, obviously. One trick I found helpful was to sing/hum to myself while commuting. It quiets the inner voice that's always judging everything (yourself or others) or harbouring and fanning negativity.

Plus, it's hard to maintain a straight face for long while singing Christmas carols to yourself at top volume.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[TheSmiler]

Use the horn if something really annoys me or sounds weird but talk in a made up language it's quite calming.
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
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[wr6133]

[Beehive Bedlam]

9 points on my license (now down to 3) and thinking of public transport kicks me back into reality when the red mist descends.

[Hefty]

[recman]

I usually chase people down and kill them in front of their families.
Not been caught yet so...

[spottedtango]

Cheers for the responses, some of them are quite witty. I've never thought about singing a Christmas carol whilst annoyed. I think ill give that a try sometime lol.

Definitely food for thought these comments.

[Hahadumball]

educate them at the next set of lights on how their move was retarded.

i have been known to follow people home at a safe distance then parking opposite for a few minutes, seems to give the right impression.

or just take their mirror off and race off.

or wait till they get stuck at the lights, punch their window out, grab them round the throat and say "be careful next time buddy" then release your grip and ride off.
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360 Deg... Five 1/4 turns. :- Teflon-Mike 18 Jan 2015

[recman]

[TheManWithThe...]

My attitude is "out of sight, out of mind". After a few gestures/stares, i just try to get away from them and just carry on with my journey.

If you allow yourself to become riled up, you only either escalate a situation against a person who either made an honest mistake, which confronting them will do nothing to help, or one who is simply a danger on the road, in which case it's best to be either a long way in front of them or a long way behind them.
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MBK Nitro 50, Sold. Kawasaki ER-5, Honda ST1100
"Anyone can jump a motorcycle! The trouble begins when you try to land it..."

[Beehive Bedlam]

[Omega]

Just don't get angry in the first place. We all make mistakes or have bad days.

[wots]

I started riding a bike to get away from Road Rage, I was a psycho in a cage. Mainly because of commuting in the outskirts of London. I would come in from my commute wanting to kill anything/anyone.

Bike is fun (especially my MSX through the traffic), it's hilarious watching drivers getting furious with anyone.

I now avoid driving a car at all costs!
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[temeluchus]

[TheSmiler]

[ZX-7R]

Am pretty chilled on a bike and very rarely get angry.Generally ride to protect myself in traffic so am pretty much ok.

Cars are a different matter.Have history i cannot post in public.
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Current Bike - 2000 ZX-7R

[Commuter_Tim]

[alexknight200...]

I just talk to myself, such as, "did you see what that knob did" and think to myself, one day he/she is going to do that to the wrong person and they will be deaded.

Then let it go, life's to short to get hung up on things that in reality are over in seconds.
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Current stable: Yamaha XVS 650 1996 - Honda Super Magna VF750 1988.

[Hahadumball]

[stinkwheel]

I have a wide array of chuntering, muttering and telling them off. Causes great amusement to any passengers when I do it in the car.

Such as "Where you get you licence love? A christmas cracker?" And so-on.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[monkeybiker]

It's really not worth the stress. People do stupid stuff if on purpose or by mistake. You know it's going to happen regardless of how you behave so just chill out and forget about it. What do you gain by screaming and shouting and giving them the finger?