Drivers with road rage can make even the most patient and calm people loose their cool. There are aggressive drivers who occasionally put the lives of others and their properties in danger. Your reaction to an aggressive driver is essential for your safety, as well as the safety of other drivers and passengers surrounding you. Here are a few tips for defusing a road rage situation.
Keep Calm
Although the situation is understandably frustrating, it’s essential for you to remain calm when encountering someone with road rage. Allowing yourself to get angry will cloud your judgment and may result in an accident. Avoid the driver on the road by switching to another lane and concentrate on getting to your destination.
Do Not Retaliate
If another driver cuts you off, your first instinct is to honk your horn right? This reaction could potentially escalate the situation, so honking should be reserved for situations where you need to alert other drivers to any danger. A friendly honk could also be used to express gratitude to another driver on the road.
Safely Drive Away
If someone rushes your parking spot after you’ve patiently waited for another driver to unload his car, you don’t want to confront the aggressive driver. You want to apply the ‘two wrongs don’t make a right’ mantra to this type of situation. Safely drive away and try to locate another spot to in the parking lot.
Report Aggressive Drivers
If you encounter a reckless or aggressive driver on the road, you can report them to law enforcement. Save the number to your state’s aggressive driving hotline in your phone, so you can safely call them in the case of an emergency. Keep a mental note of the vehicle description, license plate number and your location.
Practice these tips when you encounter a driver with road rage to prevent the situation from escalating. One of the best ways to handle an aggressive driver is to set a good example on the road. Provide enough room for other drivers to switch lanes, don’t tailgate and avoid excessive honking.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, feel free to contact us or call (800) 676- 5295. We will be happy to assist you with your questions and help you to determine your options.
