4 tips for avoiding road rage and having a calmer commute

At some point in your life, you've probably experienced road rage on your way to work. Perhaps you absorbed your anger with a shake of the head. Maybe you yelled and used profanity and hand gestures that would make your mother blush. But don't worry -- road rage is common for most workers, even those with minimal commute times.

According to a new CareerBuilder study, 58 percent of workers who drive to work said they have experienced road rage. Sixty-one percent of women admitted to experiencing anger on the road, compared with 56 percent of men.

"Road rage is most often associated with running late and far commutes," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "Planning ahead and taking advantage of flexible work arrangements can help alleviate stress levels and set a more positive vibe for the workday."

Age, commute and season make an impact
Workers ages 25 to 34 were the most likely to experience road rage, while workers 55 and older were the least likely. Perhaps it's the 55 and older drivers who are causing the 25- to 34-year-old workers to have road rage?

When it comes to short fuses, 37 percent of workers with commutes of less than five minutes said they experience road rage from time to time. The time of year makes a difference too; 17 percent of those surveyed said they feel less road rage during the summer.

Reducing the rage
Haefner recommends the following four tips for a calmer commute:

1. Give yourself extra time. Pick out clothes and prepare lunches the night before. Set your alarm 15 minutes early to deal with any minor setbacks.
2. Request flexible work arrangements. Start work at an off-peak time to avoid rush hour, or explore whether telecommuting may be an option.
3. Try easy listening. Whether it's soothing music, books on tape or your favorite morning news program, listen to something that'll help you forget about your delay.
4. Consider public transportation. By ditching the driving and taking a bus or train, you can finish work, read or just relax.

The study was conducted online by Harris Interactive from May 14 to June 4 and included more than 3,800 workers nationwide. Check out more CareerBuilder surveys here.

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Justin Thompson is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.