Keeping Cool on the Road: Seven Tips for Pest Pros to Prevent Road Rage

Driving a service vehicle all day can be stressful but staying calm behind the wheel is essential. With aggressive driving and road‑rage incidents on the rise, pest control professionals need practical strategies to stay safe and focused without creating tension on the roads.

1. Know the Bigger Picture

Recent studies show that more than 90% of American drivers have witnessed road rage in the past year, and over 80% admit to acting aggressively at least once, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. While you may never be directly involved, these trends highlight how easily tempers flare and escalate. Awareness is your first line of defense.

2. Build in Buffer Time

Leave early, account for potential delays, and avoid feeling rushed. Studies link impatience and tight schedules with aggressive behaviors like honking the horn (the most common behavior), speeding, running red lights/stop signs and tailgating as some of the most common triggers for road rage. A few extra minutes can make all the difference to your composure and your safety.

3. Keep It Calm and Composed

If another driver cuts you off or drives erratically, resist reacting. PestSure recommends the following:

• Avoid eye contact or gestures
• Don’t respond with horns or flashing lights
• Maintain distance and allow the situation to defuse. Police emphasize that de‑escalation, not confrontation, is key to preventing dangerous encounters.

4. Use Soothing Strategies

Keep a favorite podcast or playlist at the ready. One survey found that nearly half of drivers who experience anger use music or podcasts to calm down. Having a mental exit strategy - like focusing on the next job’s positive outcome - can help shift your mindset away from road stress.

5. Practice Professional Driving Habits

You represent your company and your profession every time you’re on the road. Safe driving isn’t just courteous, it’s critical. Stick to speed limits, signal clearly, leave plenty of following room, and respect other road users. According to NHTSA data, aggressive driving accounts for 66% of traffic fatalities.

6. Know When to Walk Away

If a situation escalates - a driver aggressively tailgates or shouts - you don’t need to engage. Slow down or pull over at a safe spot and let them pass. Your vehicle is not meant for physical confrontation, and sometimes the best move is to disengage entirely.

7. Model Calm Under Pressure

Whether you’re transporting equipment, working under time constraints, or logging mileage between jobs, your calm sets the tone for customers, fellow employees, and the general public. Demonstrating patience and professionalism reinforces trust in your service.

Why It Matters

• Protect yourself and others: Road‑rage behavior has led to thousands of injuries and sadly needless deaths.
• Avoid costly delays or accidents: A crash or traffic violation can jeopardize job security, lost production, costly repairs and maintenance, and increased insurance premiums.
• Preserve your company’s reputation: Pleasant, confident driving builds goodwill with every mile.

As a pest control professional, you’ve likely navigated homes, gardens, and tricky situations with clients. Drive with the same composure and leave road‑rage responses in the rear‑view mirror. With awareness, preparation, and a calm mindset, you’ll keep road incidents to a minimum and safety at a maximum.

Stay safe out there - one service call and one calm mile at a time.

PestSure – Your Partner in Safety

Founded in 1980, PestSure is the only insurance and risk management provider that is 100 percent dedicated to the pest management industry. It offers industry professionals a full suite of insurance, risk management, and safety training and education offerings.

PestSure provides insurance, safety and risk management consulting to pest management companies representing $2 billion in revenue, $750 million in payroll and more than 16,500 service vehicles. The program is administered by Alliant Insurance Services.

Call 888.984.3813 or visit our contact page for more information.