Suggestions for Improvement

1. I signal and check to the rear when I change lanes.
   
2. I wear a seat belt.
   
3. I try to stay informed of changes in driving and highway regulations.
   
4. Intersections bother me: there is too much to watch for from all directions.
   
5. I find it difficult to decide when to join traffic on a busy highway.
   
6. I think I am slower than I used to be in reacting to dangerous driving situations.
   
7. When I am really upset, I show it in my driving.
   
8. My thoughts wander when I am driving.
   
9. Traffic situations make me angry.
   
10. I get regular eye checks to keep my vision at its sharpest.
    
11. I check with my doctor or pharmacist about the effects of my medications on my driving ability.
    
12. I try to stay abreast of current information on health practices and habits.
    
13. My children, other family members or friends are concerned about my driving ability.
    
14. How many traffic tickets, warnings, or discussions with officers have you had in the past two years?

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9. Traffic situations make me angry.

The best answer is "Never," but those who have been stuck in traffic for long periods understand why "Sometimes" might be chosen. An answer of "Always" reveals that some changes are needed.

Anger behind the wheel comes out in dangerous ways. Most people trapped in slow-moving traffic feel frustrated, and this frustration can lead to anger at the situation. However, some people direct their anger at other people, instead of the traffic situation itself. This can lead to inappropriate reactions such as honking horns, yelling at other drivers, cutting others off in traffic, blocking intersections, or playing one-upsmanship games with other drivers.

When drivers become emotional, all out of proportion to the situation, it is a clear sign that other emotions are the true cause and driving has become an outlet for expressing anger. Many emotions can turn into anger. Fear of other drivers, who they feel are driving recklessly, can bring on violent anger. Anxiety over being late and anger at other situations in one’s life can also provoke unwarranted anger. All these emotions are counter-productive.

The worst part of the anger is how drivers express it. If you find yourself driving erratically, driving too fast, or tailgating someone "to teach them a lesson," then you need to stop and ask yourself: "Is it worth it?" Anyone with a heart condition knows that reacting to every little annoyance and frustration with anger can be dangerous; we all need to understand that reacting to driving situations with aggressive driving can be just as fatal as a heart attack.

Fortunately, there are many ways to make driving less stressful and make your own responses less emotional:

• Accept the fact that anger will do nothing to get you out of irritating traffic situations. On the contrary, it may get you into collisions. Taking a few slow, deep breaths and forcing yourself to smile are excellent stress-relievers.
  
  
• Choose to be a responsible driver. Recognize when you are becoming angry. Then examine why anger seems to reach irrational proportions. Ask yourself "Why am I getting upset?" Then, try to take the necessary corrective steps. Keep cool.
  
  
• Try to avoid the kind of traffic you know is likely to generate anger. The smoother the traffic flow, the less the anger, and the fewer the accidents.
  
  
• If you think that you might be converting fear of traffic into anger, take steps to boost your skills and confidence, such as taking a re-training or refresher course.

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