Newswise — LOS ANGELES (July 14, 2011) – A Cedars-Sinai psychiatrist who specializes in helping patients cope with stress advises Southern California drivers to protect themselves from becoming victims of road rage during the 405 freeway closure, scheduled July 15-17, and dubbed “Carmageddon.”
“What starts out as stressful could become catastrophic if people are not prepared,” said Waguih William IsHak, MD, FAPA, medical director of Outpatient Psychiatry Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “If you cannot avoid the area surrounding the freeway closure, the best thing you can do is prevent yourself from spiraling into rage and protect yourself from other people displaying road rage at you.”
Road rage is different from regular, everyday anger because there may be a “trigger” that causes a driver to lose their temper while behind the wheel. The resulting anger can bubble up so fast and so intensely that a car can become a deadly weapon, IsHak said.
“The trigger is usually something another driver does, a driving error, such as cutting other drivers off, changing lanes without warning, sudden stopping, going too slow, tailgating and texting, ” IsHak said. If you anger another driver, IsHak advises displaying common courtesy such as waving apologetically or mouthing “I’m sorry.”
“Sometimes, that helps calm the situation before it gets out of hand,” IsHak says, “ but avoid prolonged eye contact after making your apology because someone blinded by anger could misconstrue eye contact as challenging them to a fight.”
Other tips from IsHak include: • Before Carmageddon begins, check your car carefully so you are not stressed out about running out of gas or having a breakdown in the midst of an epic traffic jam. • Get enough sleep so your temper isn’t influenced by fatigue. • Bring water and snacks in the car and take a restroom break before venturing into traffic so personal discomfort doesn’t lead to overreactions. • Create a comfortable environment in the car by playing soft music to relax or listen to comedy routines to take your mind off being stuck in traffic. • Do not forget your mobile phone. You will need it in an emergency to call a friend or relative. • Absolutely no texting while driving. • If a fellow driver challenges you to a fight, resist the impulse to react or get even. Close your windows and lock the doors. Do not get out of your car. Call 911 instead.
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