I could stop letting aggressive drivers get under my skin.

What could I do differently?
Honestly, I could stop letting aggressive drivers get under my skin.

That’s the real answer for me.

I’ve noticed that when someone tailgates me, weaves through traffic, or drives like the road is a competitive sport, my first reaction isn’t always calm. I feel my body tense up. My mind starts narrating the situation. And for a brief moment, I’m no longer just driving — I’m reacting.

What I could do differently is recognize that reaction sooner and shut it down. I could remind myself that I have zero control over the person behind me, the traffic ahead of me, or whatever chaos is going on in their life. I only control my own behavior. Speeding up, braking harder, making eye contact, or getting “the last move” doesn’t fix anything — it only increases the odds that I do something dumb that puts me or my family at risk.

I could also stop assuming intent. Most aggressive drivers aren’t actually mad at me. They’re late. They’re distracted. They’re carrying their competitive, boardroom mindset into a place where it doesn’t belong. Getting somewhere 45 seconds sooner isn’t worth anyone’s safety, but arguing with that reality in my head doesn’t help either.

What I could do differently is choose space over pride. Let them pass. Let it go. Leave the gap. Take the long view instead of the emotional one. I’ve learned that the moment I disengage, my stress drops almost instantly — and the drive goes back to being just a drive.

If I really want calmer roads, it probably starts with me staying calm first. Not because the other driver deserves it, but because I do.