How to avoid road rage (in you and other people)
Road rage is a dangerous and all-too-common issue on our roads, one that can quickly turn an everyday commute into a stressful or even potentially harmful situation, regardless of whether it is you or someone else who is doing the raging.
However, understanding what causes road rage in ourselves and in others, and learning effective strategies to manage anger or deal with anger from others can significantly improve road safety and reduce stress for all drivers.
Why road rage happens
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Several factors can contribute to road rage. The physical separation from other road users when driving creates a sense of distance and anonymity, which can lower inhibitions and social filters.
This sense of being in a "bubble," combined with the stress of driving, can heighten frustration and anger, while the potentially high stakes of driving - where mistakes can have serious consequences – also contribute to heightened emotional responses.
Who is more likely to experience road rage?
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While anyone can experience road rage, certain groups are more susceptible. Younger, male drivers tend to exhibit aggressive driving behaviors more often, while female drivers who experience anger while driving as much as male drivers do are less likely to act on it negatively.
However, female drivers may experience more intense anger in certain situations, such as when faced with hostile gestures or traffic obstructions.
How to avoid road rage
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It's important to remember that other drivers are just people, and minor missteps are often unintentional. Approaching driving with the same patience and understanding that we generally apply in other situations can make a significant difference in reducing road rage incidents.
Try to "thingify" other drivers less and see them as real people. Putting pictures of loved ones in the car can help with this. There are many strategies and techniques that can help reduce road rage incidents:
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Self-awareness: Learn to identify the early signs of anger while driving. Recognising when you start to feel angry can help you take steps to prevent it from escalating.
Alternative explanations: Try to find alternative explanations for the behaviour of other drivers. Rather than assuming someone is deliberately rude, consider they may be distracted or having a bad day.
Mindfulness and relaxation: Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques to remain calm. Deep breaths and focusing on the present can help reduce anger.
Move away from the trigger: If possible, move away from the situation that is causing you to feel angry. Change lanes or slow down to create distance from an aggressive driver.
Avoid anger rumination: Don’t replay anger-inducing events in your mind. Instead, shift your focus to something more positive.
Be a considerate driver: Practice being a courteous driver yourself by using your indicators, not cutting other drivers off, and maintaining a safe following distance.
What to do if you are threatened by a road rager
Handling road rage incidents means keeping a calm head, regardless of what the other driver is doing. While it is important to never engage in confrontation, it's also unwise to pretend that nothing is happening and a friendly wave to signal an apology is often enough to diffuse the situation.
Change lanes: If you are being tailgated, change lanes. If someone wants to pass, slow down and let them.
Do not engage: Don’t return gestures or shout back at them.
Stay behind: Stay behind the angry person at all costs, as they can do less damage if you are behind them.
Pull over: If necessary, pull off the road or take an exit and let them go by.
Don't get out of the car: Getting out of your car is the single easiest way to escalate road rage, so don't stop to confront them. If the are following you, contact the police or drive to the nearest police station.
Regardless of whether you are the victim of road rage or the perpetrator, understanding the triggers and trying to remain calm will create a safer and more pleasant experience for everyone on the road.
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Charities turning away high numbers of volunteer applications
Charities are turning away people wanting to volunteer amidst a flood of interest they say is linked to the high rate of unemployment.
It comes as some businesses receive thousands of applications for paid roles and people look for experience anywhere they can.
The advocacy organisation Volunteering NZ has been tracking the trend. Spokesperson Margaret McLachlan said there has been a considerable rise in applications for volunteer roles across a range of charities.
Many application forms asks people to divulge if they are job hunters.
"Over the last year or so, they are seeing more people coming in who are saying they are in that category. They are looking for work but doing volunteering while that process is taking place."
"As unemployment increases and the cost of living, times are tougher for everybody."
At the same time, she said community organisations supporting social services were busier and needed more helpers.
McLachlan said depending on the organisation, they might want to do a police check, a reference check and an interview.
"In some cases it can be a process to go through and not always, and that can take some time.
"It's actually the same barriers that a person might find in finding a job, can also apply to volunteering. It's not always a easy option."
SPCA had 120 op shops and animal rescue centres across the country in which volunteers worked.
General manager of retail Cathy Crichton said they received about 1300 extra applications for volunteer roles, a 32 percent increase, from June to November 2025, compared to 2024.
"There's definitely a nudge forward which is very exciting and we're very grateful."
But it meant they were not accepting any more volunteers in some areas.
"Because the applications are up it's a unique scenario. But at this point in time, in smaller locations, we've actually got a hold in 19 locations in New Zealand where we are at capacity - and that's very rare and it's a very new trend."
Crichton said anyone seeking volunteer work should think creatively about what skills they can offer - it could be in administration or marketing.
"We'd love to welcome as many people as we could because the more hands on deck the more we can do and the more we can contribute to the community."
She said people were self-motivated to apply for volunteer work.
The unemployment rate rose to 5.3 percent in the September quarter, meaning 160,000 people were jobless. The next quarterly figures are out in February.
"There's a willingness to give back and contribute to the community. Unemployment being high really does encourage people to engage with the workforce and get experience," Crichton said.
"It really is about staying connected with the community and meeting others."
She said they had also seen an increase in young people seeking volunteer work experience.
"It's a great opportunity to get work experience and a reference and there's an appeal there as an employer...I really do think it adds value to a CV."
Stats NZ data showed over half of New Zealanders, 53 percent, volunteered during March 2025 and of those, 27.6 percent volunteered through an organisation and 40.8 percent volunteered directly for another person.
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The best board games to play (and gift) this summer
Over the holiday period, the right game can make all the difference. So which board games should you try out – and which ones should you gift?
1. Sushi Go Party
This colourful, fast-paced game has great art, and a "menu" that can be changed depending on the number of players (up to eight) and their familiarity with the game.
Players win the game by creating the best combination of cards, depending on what's available, by rotating the cards from player to player like a sushi train. It's easy to learn and relatively cheap.
2. Wavelength
In this party game, teams have to try and guess the location of a hidden target on a spectrum, using a clue from one "psychic" team member. The ends of the spectrum reflect two binaries, such as hot–cold or optional–mandatory, and the target falls somewhere in between.
The closer the team gets to where the psychic thinks the target should go, the more points they score. Wavelength is one of those games where no matter if your team gets it right or wrong, you can expect people to give their two cents.
3. Mysterium and Mysterium Park
In these team games, players play mediums seeking the counsel of another player – a ghost – who gives them clues to important information about murders in the house, including the ghost’s own murder.
The ghost offers the other players tarot cards with abstract artwork with which they must attempt to discern the murder weapon, location and culprit.
4. The Quacks of Quedlinburg
This game sees players take the role of potion makers at the local fair, who must push their luck by drawing ingredients out of a bag to make the best potions without them blowing up in their face. It’s simple to teach and hilarious when someone else blows up their cauldron (although arguably less when it’s you).
5. Modern Art
This is one of the most celebrated games from board game designer luminary Reiner Knizia. Players are art dealers auctioning off beautiful paintings done by five professional artists. Players might even forget to play as they get caught up in simply admiring the pieces they are auctioning off.
Modern Art remains a fiendishly clever game that is easy to learn but hard to master.
6. Heat: Pedal to the Metal
This strategic racing game is based on 1960s Formula 1 racing. The base game boasts four tracks on two gorgeous boards, and lovely little cars that pass each other and risk spinning out around corners.
7. Nemesis
By far the most expensive (and complicated) game on this list, Nemesis can best be described as Alien: the board game.
Players have to move through a spaceship, discovering rooms and items as they go, taking care not to alert the horrific extraterrestrials that have managed to get onto the ship – represented by amazingly designed pieces. It’s a truly tense and fun experience for a full afternoon.
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Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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