David Reynolds' 12 tips to keep cool this Christmas

Like all of you, I spend a lot of time in my car on the road. I’m not talking about racing Supercars, or driving like a racing car driver, just cruising from here to there and back again.

Living in a major city, I see nasty stuff all the time on the road and I don’t get it. Road rage is so pointless.

If you bump into someone while you’re walking down the street, you will most likely happily turn around, and apologise. On the road?

Road safety means a lot to me and I want to do something to help. There are many people driving with totally different levels of experience -- so why not cut them some slack? Is it really so important to be on pole position at the lights, or protect your spot in the traffic, or block someone from passing?

The Christmas holidays are a great time of the year but somehow also the worst time for trouble on the road. In support of the Curb The Rage initiative I’m super keen to make a difference, so here are my top 12 tips to keep cool behind the wheel this Christmas.

Don’t leave everything to the last minute or use a deadline. Most angry people get angry because they are under time pressure.

So start with a plan -- even if it’s just a run to the shops. Leave with plenty of time to spare and remember you can always sit on your phone (parked!) for 10 minutes if you arrive early.

Gaps in traffic are your braking zones for safe trips. One way to cut aggression is to avoid tailgating and don’t stress if someone is doing it to you.

Closing the gap won’t make them drive faster and if you are being tailgated the best tactic is to ignore it. Just concentrate on the road ahead and blank them out. I do it all the time when I’m racing but I’ve found this has also been helpful on the road.

The left lane can be your friend. It’s easy to forget about blending back to the left but there is no reason to hug to the right. It’s common courtesy and it’s also a road rule.

So leave the right lane open for people overtaking, or turning, and you will have a smoother and less stressful trip.

You never have to drive alone. Get a co-pilot for every trip, not just to share the driving but for extra enjoyment. Split the driving time on a holiday road trip or weekend away, and everyone will arrive fresher and happier.

And never be a back-seat driver. Even I have to keep my suggestions to myself when someone else has the wheel… Unless it’s my girlfriend and I can nit-pick her. Only joking!!!

Nothing is more distracting on the road. Sure, we all love our phones and keeping in touch, but is a Facebook post or a text worth a life? It’s a distraction that you don’t need, and there are new fines, penaliies and detection methods coming in across Australia.

If you really struggle to disconnect, throw your phone in the back seat or the boot. And always use Bluetooth and don’t even sneak a peek if you’re stopped in traffic.

Driving is not a race and we’re all trying to get somewhere – the roads at Christmas and other busy times are not the place to score or be a winner.

Look at the bigger picture, chill and go with the flow. And if you can feel your temper rising, then ask yourself “Would I do that to my mum?”

Listening to a favourite podcast can make any drive seem much quicker. You might even learn something along the way.

There is some very good stuff out there and if you’re really bored (Ed: really, really bored) I even have my own podcast, Below the Bonnet.

It’s not just about you and like racing or any other sport, everyone has to play by the rules.

The road rules were created for a reason… Even if it can be hard at times to understand the thinking behind some of them...

Make smart choices when you’re driving. There is always a temptation to go for a quick sugar buzz when you’re refuelling yourself on a trip. But don't give in to the sweet junk food stuff, because the highs and lows of insulin have a huge effect on your attention levels and mood.

You wouldn’t put the wrong fuel in your car and choosing something healthier for yourself can also boost concentration, especially on a long drive.

Slicing through traffic is dangerous. Never, ever, cut someone off. You’re aggravating them and, even worse, you’re removing their safety zone so they could panic and do something stupid.

It’s worst of all for trucks, which need greater stopping and turning distances than cars.

Keep calm with a chat. Driving is a great time to catch up on your long-distance friendships. Or even a call to home.

A few minutes on the road is a great investment and you’ll be surprised how quickly the time passes.

If you’re not stopping for the chat, always use a hands-free Bluetooth connection, and why not call your mum?

Always say thank you. We’re all driving along in our little boxes but we’re still people on the inside.

Nothing is nicer than getting a thank you and it’s easy to do when you’re behind the wheel.

A little wave goes a long way -- especially if someone lets you zipper into the traffic . So give them a smile and a thank you…

Learn how to chill on the roads this summer with Curb The Rage