#defensive driving

In my opinion, driving anxiety is logical and makes sense. You're in a big metal box running as fast as a cheetah and you could kill anyone. Including yourself. Of course it's scary.

Feeling the fear of death here is correct.

However, people who don't have this fear - the impatient, the aggressive, the tailgating, drunk-driving, phone distracted speedsters - are not correct. They actively make our roads worse for us and cause trauma wherever their SUVs go.

So as a coping strategy, I propose one piece of advice:

Be kind.

Wait for people to turn out of junctions and petrol stations. Find and stop between parked cars on the side of the road to let opposing traffic pass through. Give vehicles space. Take care of cyclists, horse riders, learners, pedestrians and more on the road. Solve situations on the fly when you need to. Be patient with everyone you come across.

Kindness is a rebellion against the horrors that have made our driving anxiety in the first place. It is an act that wishes better for others after what you've experienced. It's cooperative and focuses on community rather than the individualist.

There will be mistakes. There will be misinterpretation. There will be fools. But the more you be kind on the road, the more your soul glows when someone does the thank you hand gesture and you do one back.

P.S.: your soul glows more if you're lucky enough to receive a thumbs up gesture on the road.