i) Exercise on Aggressive Thoughts and Feelings on p. 65-66

Driving Area 1: Fantasies of Retaliation and Revenge

1. ___ When other cut in front of me so that I have to brake, I feel like crashing into them   to teach them a lesson. 

2. ___When I encounter road-hugging pedestrians, I feel like pushing them out of my way.

3. ___When drivers become aggressive by tailgating me, I enjoy slowing down to pay them back.

4. ___When I’m under stress due to work, I get very edgy and take it out on other drivers.  

5.  ___ I don’t think passengers should tell me how to drive and I let them know if they try.

6. ___ If motorists around me get cocky and drive cocky, I get into a rebellious mood.

7. ___ I passionately hate drivers who think that they are the only ones on the road and act carelessly.

8.  ___ When a driver cuts me off and then slows down, I feel like ramming that car.

9. ___ I get nasty thought about drivers who force their way into my lane, especially without signaling. 

10. ___ I feel like ramming them to smarten them up about doing dangerous things (eating, putting on make-up, reading, talking on the phone, etc.) while they should be paying attention to the road. 

11. ___ When people run or walk on the shoulder of the highway I feel like swerving toward them to scare them off the road for good. 

12. ___ When slow cyclists take up a whole lane, so I can’t pass and refuse to move when I honk, I feel like whipping by so close they lose their balance and fall.

Driving Area 2: High-Pressure Driving and Competition

13. ___ When a car gets in my way I don’t like it and try to get around it even if it means taking some risks.

14. ___ In heavy traffic I feel constant desire to weave across lanes, trying to get ahead.

15. ___ I’m a “gap closer” and I make sure no one enters my lane in front of me.

16. ___ When I’m late, I have no patience and tailgate slower motorists in my way.

17. ___ If it was up to me, I’d have everyone else get off the road until I pass – like the president.

18. ___ I like the idea of saluting careless drivers “with respect” (flipping them off with my hand safely of view under the dashboard.

19. ___ I don’t have respect for drivers you forget to turn their blinkers on or off.

Driving Area 3: Impulsive and Reckless Driving

20. ___ Showing off for friends is something I do because I’m expected to take risks and not act like a coward.

21.___I enjoy loud, fast music while I drive – lets me feel free!

22. ___ When I drive late at night and the road is clear, I like to go fast no matter what the signs say.

23. ___ When I’m in a rush and upset I cut in front of cars and rush through yellow lights.

24. ___ If I had a few drinks but feel all right, I take a chance and drive home anyway.

25. ___ When I’m tired I become less alert, but I still need to drive.  I have no choice.

26. ___ Going through red lights should only be done when you’re absolutely sure there are no cars that can show up in your way.

27. ___ I love to hear the tires screech when I take turns fast.  It’s a nice sound.  Makes me feel alive.

ii) Exercise on Are You an Aggressive Competitor on p. 104-105

1. ___ I really hate it when traffic is congested and I can’t get ahead of others because I feel like I’m losing.

2. ___ I’ve discovered that I can force my way into any lane by being pushy.

3. ___ I believe the law that prevails on the road is the law of the jungle – we might as well face it: The most aggressive drivers end up getting what they want.

4. ___ I’m driving in the left lane in heavy traffic and trying to switch to the right lane to make a right turn at the next intersection.  The driver in the car next to me sees my signal and closes the gap, preventing me from entering the lane.  I miss my turn as a result.  This proves that he purposely kept me out.

5. ___ I love it when I pass a long line of waiting cars, then when I cut in at the front of the line.  Victory!  Only losers wait in line.

6. ___ A lot of drivers can see that I’m in a hurry.  So what do they do?  They intentionally try to slow me down or block my way.  That’s how they get their kicks.

7. ___ I need lots of space between me and everyone behind me.  I’m a natural leader, so I feel best when I’m way out in front.

8. ___ When traffic is heavy, drivers have to compete against each other or else one gets left behind.  The better you can compete on the road, the better you can do your job, and the more useful you are to society.

9. ___ It’s necessary to drive in a competitive manner because the other drivers are very competitive.  I’m expected to be competitive on the road.

10. ___ As the streets are getting more crowded, drivers make each other angry.  It’s a competitive situation and I can’t afford to worry about too much about how my driving makes others angry because we all make each other angry.

iii) Exercise on Positive Driving Behaviors on p. 212-213

1.___ Putting on the turn signal in consideration of others; thinking of how to reduce stress for others

2. ___ Feeling responsible for creating stress for other road users; wanting to evolve an altruistic attitude in traffic.

3. ___ Concentrating on developing better on-ramp merging skills by focusing on leaving enough space to pick up speed.

4. ___ Creating positive mental scenarios and avoiding pessimism; saying, “Traffic is not too bad. I’ll just relax,” versus “Traffic is awful. I’ll never get home.”

5. ___ Driving with greater awareness; understanding the difference in people’s expectations in the left and right lanes; consciously managing following distance to keep it safe, following the three-second rule.

6. ___ Consciously practicing how to handle common obstacles to traffic flow; for instance, when a lane is closed and merging is required.

7. ___ Compensating for the “blind spot” by allows using both side and rearview mirror and turning your head for better view.

8. ___ Merging properly when a lane is closed by remaining in your lane until reaching the merge point.

9. ___ Learning to avoid mental violence as retaliation; not letting frustration lead to aggressiveness and hostility.

10. ___ Avoiding symbols of competition in driving, like racing to get there first, want to pass all cars, feeling ridiculed when a lot of cars pass you, impulsively cutting in.

11. ___ Practicing nodding instead of shaking your head at traffic.

12. ___ Recognizing higher motivations in driving, like fairness, civility, morality, altruism, religion, and spirituality.

13. ___ Giving up a “laissez-faire” attitude toward other drivers, such as “What’s happening to that driver is not my problem.”

14. ___ Being willing to figure things out ahead of time, like how late to leave, when to turn, which way to go, when to change lanes, with the goal of avoiding making unpredictable, impulsive moves that other drivers can’t interpret.

iv) Exercise on Your Passive Aggressive Road Rage Tendency p. 88-89

1.___ I insist on driving at the speed limit in the passing lane because it’s the law.

2. ___ I hold up a long line of drivers on a one-lane road.

3. ___ I ignore drivers who attempt to enter my lane, closing the gap.

4. ___ I ignore yield signs.

5. ___ I don’t bother giving proper signals.

6. ___ I am slow to get going when traffic lights turn green.

7. ___ I show insufficient alertness or consideration to drivers and conditions.

8. ___ I repeatedly tap the brakes or slow way down to retaliate against a tailgater.

9. ___ I take my time entering and leaving parking spaces, especially when someone is waiting for me.

10. ___ I make gestures and facial expressions to myself to show my disapproval of pushy drivers