How can I calm myself down while driving?

So, usually I am a very calm, outgoing and fun guy. But whenever I get behind the wheel of a car I loose all patience and flip out. Recently I got into a fenderbender(he hit me) and I went berserk, punched my windshield and broke it.

I also HATE idiots that go below or do the speed limit. You can probably go 10 miles over and still in the safe zone.

Any advice? I want to be more patient, and I'm not in a rush anywhere, just people going slow annoy me to death.
Additional Details
No, I don't need professional help.
I am called a teddy bear by a lot of people, it is only in a vehicle where I loose all patience.

I am not a bad or crazy driver, I know my limits and will not weave in and out of traffic. I go with the flow of traffic.

It's just when there is a one lane road, the speed limit is 45 and the douche in front of me is doing 30, I get fumed.

And just because I hate the people that do the speed limit, doesn't mean I'm going to lay on the horn and be an ***.

Also, I asked for advice, not what you think.

logicalgal

Well, you are the captain of your own ship.
I would suggest that you give yourself extra time to get where you are going, take the road less travelled, enjoy the scenery, work on some "therapeutic" methods of getting yourself through traffic.
Follow at a greater distance, breathe deeply, play some relaxing music.
Remember that we ALL make errors and omissions while driving so don't get too self-righteous
Remaining HUMBLE is difficult when you have an agenda and are behind the wheel.
I have to do it every day because I TEACH people how to drive and at times I breathe very deeply.....lol
Chances are you are a younger driver with limited skills and experience. Remember that you are the apprentice and have much to learn "grasshopper"......
Enjoy your driving privilege, and think of the alternatives......being in a crash, injuring/killing a good friend, family member or YOURSELF.......
Have fun out there.....and do one thing everyday to help someone else out there who might be having a bad day. It might be the only good thing that happened all day to that person!

devilchild2470

i have the same problem....people usually same listen to relaxing music......SCREW THAT!!! it varies person to person. try air fresheners, talking to someone(in your car not on the phone)....if you find something email me at devilchild2470@yahoo.com

Jessica

This is called road rage, and you should likely seek anger management classes. I know you say that you don't need professional help, but anyone that becomes so angry that they punch out their windshield... has anger issues.

And by the way, an officer can ticket you for 5-over if he's having a bad day.

SAPPER

You seem to be in a hurry to get into hospital, or the morgue. If driving winds you up that much, stop driving. You come across as coiled spring waiting to snap. Calm down while you are still alive

Janiepoo

I used to have to drive anywhere from 150 to 350 miles a day for work. In Michigan (which means winter or construction on the roads). I would get crazy because people are so stupid and rude. I don't know why I'd let them get me so upset, because I was getting paid to drive, so it's not like they were wasting my time, they were wasting my employer's time. I finally just realized that my getting pissed off only resulted in a few outcomes:
1. I get pissed, flip the other person off or whatever to make sure they know I think they are an a**. They get pissed at me and my safety is in question
2. I let them know they pissed me off and they think it's funny
3. I let them know I'm pissed and they think they are right anyhow and continue to drive like an idiot.

Basically, any way you look at it, if you get pissed, they have "won". I just try to remind myself that it's not that serious and no amount of me getting frustrated is going to change the fact that the other person is an idiot. It's all just putting things in perspective. I usually just stay in the right lane and take my time. If I'm in the mindset that I'm taking my time and not letting things get to me, they usually don't. Hope this helps...

JAJ

I used to get really annoyed at stupid drivers but I finally learned that it is not worth getting upset over. Unfortunately there are stupid drivers everywhere and there is nothing we can do about it but laugh at them. Be careful driving over the speed limit because depending on the area some police will pull you over for going 5 or more over the speed limit.

transplanted_fireweed

You need professional help, and until you get it, I would strongly suggest that you refrain from driving before you end up killing somebody. There are a lot of us "idiots" out there who drive the speed limit (and yes, you can get speeding tickets going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit...voice of experience talking) who "HATE idiots" who lay on their horns, weave in and out of traffic, nearly clip you pulling in front, tailgating, pass on an "on" ramp, etc, etc, etc, etc. People like you are accidents waiting for a place to happen. Walk or take public transport if you can't control yourself.

UCANTCME

You definitely need to see a doctor and take some anger management classes before you hurt yourself or someone else..

oli c

get a misses, i used to have herendous road rage, several times i even nudged other cars to get them to speed up because i would get so angry having to drive at 40 in a 60 limit. but my girfriend at the time simply started giving me oral when i was getting irate and i calmed down alot since then. still get angry from time to time but i just bite my lip now im single again

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