Traffic anxiety has always been present among drivers, but in recent times it has become more and more pronounced.
In this sense, it is the role of managers to look for ways to control and avoid this problem, so that drivers do not get sick or get involved in risky situations.
That's because being in the back-and-forth of traffic on a daily basis is, without a doubt, challenging. It is necessary to deal with congestion, lack of common sense and recklessness of drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians, among other situations. All this requires the driver to be constantly attentive.
Faced with this tension, many drivers, especially those who drive more frequently, experience traffic-induced anxiety symptoms.
A survey of the Oxford University, for example, indicated in 2020 that prolonged exposure to traffic noise is associated with high levels of anxiety and depression.
With that in mind, how can you identify traffic anxiety in your fleet management? It's more important, how to promote more safety for the lives of your drivers?
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What is traffic anxiety?
Traffic anxiety is a condition that affects countless people across the world.
It manifests itself in many ways and the signs can appear subtly, as a picture of greater or intense irritability.
Or even an adrenaline rush that generates rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweaty palms, dry mouth, nervousness, and an overwhelming sense of dread.
Whether driving on freeways, crowded intersections or lanes, these triggers can make even the most confident drivers feel trapped in a nightmare.
With nerves on edge, many people end up getting involved in traffic fights, whose outcomes can be serious. Or still arriving home after a day of work, anguished and tense.
Therefore, traffic-induced anxiety can impact family and social life, with serious consequences for the physical and mental health of drivers.
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To make matters worse, during the pandemic, people developed or increased symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression.
A recent survey carried out by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), revealed that 80% of the Brazilian population became more anxious during the pandemic.
The study also showed that 65% of respondents had feelings of anger and 63% somatic symptoms: pain, gastric discomfort or any symptom arising from an anxiety condition.
These are worrying data and show that if traffic anxiety has always been present among drivers, it is now even more pronounced.
It is necessary to be attentive and look for ways to control this feeling, so as not to get sick, reduce performance or get involved in situations of violence and stress in traffic, putting lives at risk.
About these threatening situations, Fábio de Cristo, a traffic psychologist and professor of psychology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) reveals that:
In traffic, we come across several of them that are potentially dangerous, such as the imprudence of other drivers, traffic jams, when the person is prevented from proceeding, causing difficulties to reach appointments on time. We must not forget the stress that we accumulate in our daily lives, at work and in our family.
How to identify traffic anxiety?
recognize the symptoms
As road anxiety can manifest itself in many ways, it is crucial to understand the most common signs:
- Increased complaints: if your drivers are constantly bothered by traffic-related issues like congestion, delays or aggressive driving, that could be a red flag.
- Frequent accidents or risky behavior: Have you noticed any of these signs in your fleet management? Traffic-induced anxiety may be one of the reasons and may be playing a role behind these behaviors, leading to distracted driving or hasty decision making.
- High turnover rate: Stressful situations in traffic can also contribute to burnout and job dissatisfaction, resulting in increased driver turnover.
Monitor driving behaviors
Another way to identify traffic anxiety is to monitor the behavior of your drivers on the roads. So, check out some techniques that can help you keep control over your sleeping habits. defensive driving:
- Reliable data and indicators: use a system vehicle telemetry to gather information about speeding, braking, and hard acceleration. That's because sudden changes in these metrics can indicate increased levels of driving stress due to traffic.
- Follow up: keep an eye on your drivers' routes and time spent in congested areas, a consistent choice of alternative routes or excessive delays can be a sign of traffic-induced anxiety.
- Driver feedback: always encourage open communication and allow them to voice their opinions and concerns. Regular feedback sessions can provide valuable insight into driving experiences and provide a safe space for this conversation.
Evaluate the well-being of drivers
Traffic anxiety is not just a mental hurdle, it can also have a profound impact on a driver's health. To identify the signs, consider the following:
- Physical Manifestations: watch out for physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, excessive sweating or restlessness, as these signs can indicate high levels of stress.
- Emotional distress: Your drivers' mood and behavior also needs attention. Irritability, frustration or a noticeable change in attitude can be linked to traffic-induced anxiety.
- Fatigue and Exhaustion: long hours spent battling traffic chaos can leave your drivers exhausted, so watch for signs like increased absenteeism or decreased productivity.
How to reduce or avoid anxiety in traffic?
Fortunately, there are several strategies to help alleviate traffic-induced anxiety and regain drivers' confidence behind the wheel.
Some of them are simpler, like deep breathing and relaxation techniques.
When the tension starts to rise, the handler should take a deep breath and exhale slowly. So he can safely follow after taking time out for himself.
This is all because this technique can activate the body's relaxation response, calming the nerves and reducing traffic anxiety.
Other possible measures to avoid stress in traffic are: investing in self-knowledge, learning to deal with yourself and knowing and establishing your limits to avoid moments of explosion, because not everything will go as expected.
Next, we are going to share other care in traffic that drivers can take from their fleet and life management.
Stimulate healthy habits
Traffic anxiety is not necessarily linked only to the chaos of big cities or trauma.
Often, lack of adequate sleep and tiredness can also trigger this feeling of irritation in everyday life, which makes drivers even more susceptible to stress.
Therefore, an important step is to encourage the regular practice of physical exercises and balanced eating habits, or rest whenever possible between long journeys.
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Having a hobby or a pleasurable activity can also contribute and act as an outlet, in addition to helping to control stress when necessary.
Not only will this help to avoid traffic-induced anxiety, it will also promote a healthier lifestyle. Like this, drivers will have more energy and wisdom to deal with adverse situations.
Have a logistical planning of routes
A fundamental step among precautions in traffic is to plan the route and travel time carefully.
By knowing the route in advance and allowing extra time for unexpected delays, you can lessen the feeling of being in a hurry, that would increase the risk of infractions or even fights.
As we saw earlier, a telemetry system delivers reliable, secure and real-time information about fleet management.
With this data in hand, it is possible to avoid problematic routes and find faster and safer alternatives to circumvent these setbacks.
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seek professional help
In more severe cases of traffic-induced anxiety, it may be beneficial to seek help from a healthcare professional experienced in treating these disorders.
After all, they can provide you with personalized strategies and techniques for managing and overcoming the condition.
🔔 Reading suggestion: Traffic psychology: check out how to have more safety and quality of work in your fleet
Remembering that our content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional advice.
Therefore, if traffic anxiety significantly affects the ability to drive or participate in daily activities, seeking the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional is the best decision.
After all, road anxiety is a common problem and one that can significantly affect our daily lives.
But by understanding the symptoms and monitoring your drivers' behavior and well-being, you can take proactive steps to address this issue.
As a result, gradually overcome this challenge in its fleet management and promote even more safety with its operation, even in the midst of the most challenging situations.
So, don't forget to take a deep breath, if you've come this far it's because you do what you can for the good of drivers.
Want to know more about what you can do for your fleet management? So take advantage of this opportunity and guarantee a complete and free material that Golfleet prepared for you to have more economy and efficiency with your work:
