By Greg Kuper, Director of Communications, NMA
Every August is National Civility Month. It is a time to reflect on how we interact with others, both in our communities and in our daily routines. This year, the National Motorists Association is marking the occasion with a campaign that hits close to home for anyone who spends time on the road: Civility on the Road.
Why Civility? Why Now?
American motorists are more stressed than ever. Congestion, distractions, and increasingly aggressive enforcement tactics have created a culture of frustration. It’s no surprise that road rage, brake-checking, and retaliatory driving are on the rise. But what’s less discussed is how that very culture gives ammunition to the kinds of policies the NMA opposes: automated enforcement, overly broad aggressive driving laws, and the erosion of due process. If safety really is being used as a tool to control drivers, then our behavior is the driver behind that tool.
When motorists escalate, they reinforce the argument that drivers need tighter controls. But when we show restraint and lead with courtesy, we disarm those narratives.
Understanding the Psychology
Why do otherwise rational people lose their temper in traffic? Researchers in traffic psychology note a combination of factors:
• Anonymity: Drivers often feel shielded inside their vehicles, which can reduce empathy and increase impulsiveness.
• Perceived Injustice: Being cut off or delayed is interpreted as a personal violation, triggering a fight-or-flight response.
• Chronic Stress: Driving can amplify stress already present from work, family, or financial concerns.
What We’re Asking
This campaign isn’t about perfection; it’s about intention. We’re calling on all motorists, not just NMA members and our supporters, to take the lead in August by practicing civility behind the wheel. That means:
• Letting others merge, even when it’s inconvenient.
• Choosing calm over confrontation.
• Avoiding aggressive gestures or retaliatory driving.
• Spreading the word. Talking with friends and family about driving culture and respect.
These simple acts aren’t just polite, they’re powerful. They reduce crashes. They de-escalate conflict, thereby reducing risk. And they signal to policymakers that drivers can self-regulate safely and responsibly.
Here are Some Proven Strategies to Stay Calm Behind the Wheel:
1. Practice Reframing
Instead of labeling another driver as an “idiot,” assume they made an honest mistake. Studies show that cognitive reframing lowers stress and helps regulate emotional reactions.
2. Leave More Time
Running late is one of the strongest predictors of driving aggression. Try building a 10-minute buffer into your schedule (it reduces urgency and improves decision-making).
3. Use Breathing Techniques
Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing adrenaline and lowering heart rate. A simple method: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4. Repeat.
4. Play Calming Audio
Music with slower tempos (under 80 beats per minute) has been shown to reduce stress while driving. Avoid aggressive talk radio or loud, high-BPM tracks when you’re already tense.
5. Know the Triggers
Common anger triggers include tailgating, being cut off, or slow drivers in the left lane. Recognizing your own patterns can help you mentally prepare and react less emotionally.
Tips for Handling a Road Rage Situation Safely
If you are ever caught in a road rage situation, clear-headed action can help de-escalate and keep everyone safe. Here are some practical, safety-first tips to consider:
1. Stay Calm. Don’t Engage.
• Don’t make eye contact, gesture, or respond to aggression with aggression.
• Breathe deeply to stay centered. The other driver wants a reaction. Don’t give them one.
2. Keep Your Doors Locked and Windows Up
• Make sure all doors are locked and windows are rolled up to prevent a confrontation from escalating physically.
3. Do Not Exit the Vehicle
• Even if the other driver blocks your way or gets out of their car, stay inside with your seatbelt on.
• This is your safest position, especially if you have children in the car.
4. Avoid Going Home
• Do not drive to your home or anywhere personal if you’re being followed.
• Instead, drive to a public, well-lit place like a gas station, grocery store, or ideally a police station.
5. Call 911 Immediately
• If the driver is blocking you, threatening you, or acting dangerously, call 911 right away.
• Tell the dispatcher your location, the make/model of the other vehicle, and what’s happening.
• Let them know you have children with you.
6. Use Your Horn and Lights to Attract Attention
• If you’re trapped or the situation escalates, use your horn to draw attention.
• Flashing your lights can also signal distress to others around.
7. Don’t Try to “Teach Them a Lesson”
• This is not the time for moral wins. Your only goal is to protect yourself and your passengers.
• De-escalation and avoidance are the priorities.
8. Document If You Can (But Safely)
• If you’re stopped and it’s safe, use your phone to record video or take photos from inside your car. If you have a dash cam, know what your camera is able to see and what it can’t see. This will be needed for evidence.
• Don’t make you recording the situation obvious. It might provoke more aggression.
NOTE: If you are being blocked from leaving by the other driver (especially if you have vulnerable passengers with you…like children), stay in your car and call 911 immediately. Try to stay calm, avoid eye contact, and narrate everything that is happening to the dispatcher.
How You Can Participate
We’re inviting all drivers to do three things this month:
• Model It – Be the example of restraint and respect on the road.
• Share It – Tell your own story of civility or road rage and what you learned. Use the hashtag #CivilityOnTheRoad or email us at greg@motorists.org.
• Promote It – Share our blog post, video, or newsletter with other drivers in your network.
Bottom Line: Driving Is Not a Competition
Behind the wheel, small annoyances can quickly become serious safety risks if we let emotion take control. But by practicing emotional awareness, time management, and self-regulation techniques, we can all become safer, more confident drivers and reduce stress in the process.
This campaign is about reclaiming the culture of driving. It’s about reminding the world that freedom and courtesy are not opposites; they’re allies.
So, this month, let someone in. Let it go. Lead by example. And let’s show what real driver responsibility looks like.
