ROAD
RANGE
We've all experienced driving stress at one
point or another. A wide variety of external
and internal stress factors can all contribute
towards drivers experiencing frustration that
can sometimes escalate into road rage. The cause
of these stresses can be found within 4 levels
of stress:
Environmental
Stress
a } Too much traffic
b } Inadequate lanes and highways
c } Too many accidents
d } Traffic jams
e } Poisonous toxins emitted by cars (e.g.
carbon monoxide and lead )
Nutritional
Stress
a } Improper or inadequate nutrients which
affect proper working of the mind and body
b } Poor diet which may cause nutrient deficiency
c } Too much sugar, artificial colourings,
preservatives, alcohol, caffeine, MSG that
may cause body imbalance and irritability.
Physical
Stress
a } Illness
b } Backaches
c } Headaches
d } Side effects of prescription, over the
counter and recreational drugs that may have
side effects of drowsiness, which reduces
alertness.
Emotional
Stress
a } Negative emotions (e.g. frustration, anger)
b } Watching and absorbing bad driving behaviour
from parents, movies and commercials
c } Increased stress in daily life. With too
much stress, people feel they are losing control.
The car is a powerful yet obedient tool, associated
with a driver's emotional ego, and sometimes
status. The car gives the driver a direct
way to control their environment so that they
feel they are gaining some control over their
lives.
While these are generic factors that could
lead to stress in every driver, there are
particular factors that could lead to road
rage. These factors occur when another driver:
. Swears or uses name calling
. Comes to a rolling stop
. Speeds
. Doesn't signal when changing lanes
. Makes an illegal turn
. Follows too closely (tailing)
. jumps a red light
. Fails to yield
Positive
ways to handle road rage include:
1 . Use positive thought and action.
2 . Remember that people make mistakes so
be prepared to give them some allowance, just
as you would hope that they would be equally
tolerant when you make a mistake.
3 . Practice safe driving.
4 . Acquire a supportive driving philosophy.
5 . Don't challenge aggressive drivers.
6 . Avoid aggressive drivers and report them
to your traffic authorities.
7 . Be physically fit and able to drive.
8 . Reduce the stress in your daily life with
exercise, meditation, deep breathing, or hobbies.
9 . Eat properly and get enough rest.
10. Take supportive vitamins, minerals, and
nutrients
Road
Vision
When driving, eyestrain, eye fatigue and night-blindness
can produce confusion, hesitation and decreased
alertness when driving. Some possible causes
of eyestrain, eye fatigue and night-blindness
can be contributed to:
. Aging
. Using eyes intently for hours, without rest,
in an enclosed space
. Poor diet
. Improper nutrients
. Fatigue
. Incorrect vision correction (e.g. wearing
improper lenses)
Some
of the symptoms of eyestrain, eye fatigue
and poor vision
. Inability to focus well
. Redness
. Tearing
. Itchiness
. Swelling
. Burning
. Blurred vision
. Sensitivity to glare
. Headaches
. Decreased concentration
. Difficulty adjusting to light
. Worsening nearsightedness
. Combination of nicotine, sugar, and caffeine
may temporarily affect vision
Positive
ways to handle eyestrain, eye fatigue and
poor night vision are:
1 . Take proper eye supporting nutrients (bilberry,
zinc, lutein, lyclopean, Vitamin A)
2 . Take a 1O-minute rest. Lie down, close
your eyes and place a cold compress on your
eyes.
3 . Take frequent breaks.
4 . Pullover for a moment and focus on something
in the distance.
5 . Try to control glare with anti-reflective
coating on your glasses and windshield.
6 . Keep your glasses and windshield clean.
7 . Remove contact lenses after 24-hours.
8 . Have regular eye exams.
9 . Eat a proper diet.
10. Get proper rest.
ROAD
FATIGUE
Fatigue is a symptom and not a disorder. Again
the 4 stresses outlined earlier in this article
can contribute to road fatigue:
1 . Environmental Stress
. Poisonous toxins like carbon monoxide and
lead emitted by cars are inhaled and could
affect the body.
. Inside pollutants such as prescription and
over-the-counter drugs, alcohol, sugar, wheat,
dairy products, artificial colouring, preservatives).
. Too much traffic.
. Inadequate lanes and highways.
. Long, monotonous highway driving.
2
. Nutritional Stress
. Improper or inadequate nutrients, which
affect the proper working of the body and
mind.
. Inadequate diet which may cause nutrient
deficiency
3
. Physical Stress
. Illness (e.g. colds, flu, hypothyroidism)
. Food allergies
. Driving too long without a break
. Negative emotions (e.g. depression, boredom,
anxiety)
. Overworking
. Stress
Positive
ways to handle road fatigue:
1 . Keep alert with music or conversation.
But not too much that you are distracted from
the driving task.
2 . Take a break; stop driving when you are
over tired.
3 . Get adequate rest.
4 . Plan long trips with interesting stops
along the way.
S . Allow enough time for rest stops.
6 . Eat a proper diet including fresh fruits,
vegetables, fish, grains, seeds, and nuts.
7 . Avoid energy robbing foods like sugar,
alcohol, fats, white flour, or processed foods.
8 . Get regular exercise.
9 . Take supportive vitamins, minerals, and
nutrients.
10. Keep a positive attitude.