Aggressive drivers are high-risk drivers who can take out their anger on anyone they see. It’s important to move out of their way and avoid eye contact.
Anger behind the wheel can lead to dangerous behaviors, such as following other drivers too closely or honking or making rude gestures. Reacting to these behaviors could escalate the situation and put you in danger.
Maintain Your Composure
Encountering an aggressive driver on the road can be a scary and stressful experience. However, it is important to remember that retaliating in response can escalate the situation and put you and other drivers in danger. If you are encountering an aggressive driver, it is best to stay calm and not return their rude gestures or verbal insults. Instead, slow down and change lanes if possible to remove yourself from the situation.
If the driver continues to follow you and exhibits more serious behavior such as encroaching on your space or persistent verbal harassment, it is best to drive to a busy public location where there are witnesses and call the police. Keep your car doors locked and windows rolled up, and do not get out of your vehicle.
It is also important to remember that an aggressive driver may have a reason for their erratic behavior. They may be dealing with a personal issue, such as the loss of a loved one or financial problems, that is causing them to act out. In addition, it is easy to lose control of your emotions when you are stressed or anxious.
If the driver continues to follow you and tries to confront you, make sure to keep your distance and pull over in a safe place to let them pass. Never ride their bumper, as this can cause a dangerous situation if they slam on the brakes suddenly or turn sharply. In addition, if the driver starts honking their horn or making other inappropriate gestures, try to ignore them. If you can safely do so, play some relaxing music or a podcast to help distract yourself and take your mind off the situation.
Stay in Your Lane
Aggressive drivers are not only frightening to be around, but they can also put you and other road users at serious risk. They often engage in dangerous behaviors, such as weaving in and out of traffic lanes or passing cars even when they aren’t allowed to. They can also yell and make rude hand gestures.
Some of these aggressive drivers become angry when they are late for work or family obligations, while others may simply be overstimulated by the busy traffic and crowded roads. If you’re ever in the vicinity of an aggressive driver, there are some simple steps you can take to defuse the situation and keep yourself safe.
Unless it’s absolutely necessary, never change lanes in front of an aggressive driver. Doing so increases the chances of a crash and will not make you get to your destination any sooner. Instead, stay in your own lane and use your turn signal to slow down and move to the right when it’s safe to do so.
Some drivers thrive on the feeling of weaving in and out of traffic lanes or driving fast to pass other vehicles, but this behavior puts everyone at risk. Rather than honking your horn or shouting insults at the other driver, allow them to merge into your lane, give them more space between their vehicle and yours, or leave the passing lane if they want to.
Avoid eye contact with the other driver as well, as it can be viewed as a sign of aggression. If you need to communicate with the other driver, use a hands-free mobile phone call or text message. Finally, be sure to roll-up your windows and lock your doors to create a buffer between you and the aggressive driver in case they decide to try to attack you or your vehicle.
Avoid Making Eye Contact
If an aggressive driver begins tailgating you, sounding their horn, or making obscene gestures, avoid eye contact in the rearview mirror. Eye contact can be perceived as a challenge and escalate the situation. Instead, focus on the road ahead of you and keep your hands on the wheel to stay in control. The UK’s road rage hotspots revealed the angriest drivers you must be careful.
Do not engage with the aggressive driver in any way, as this could put you and other road users at risk. It is important to remember that they may be having a bad day and are looking for a reason to vent their anger on someone else. If you can safely do so, record the driver’s registration number and report the incident to the police as soon as possible.
Never try to challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to ‘hold your own’ in the lane of travel. If the situation becomes dangerous, use a mobile phone hands-free to call the police and provide as much information as possible about the driver.
Fleet drivers spend a lot of time on the road and encountering hostile drivers is common. Understanding how to handle the situation can help reduce the risks and prevent road rage incidents from occurring. It is also worth taking a look at your own driving habits to see what might be an aggravating factor for other road users and correct any issues you can before they become a problem. You should also consider the possibility of the driver being intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
Don’t Race Away
You must do your best to keep your emotions under control while driving. This is why it is important to practice deep breathing, count down from 100 or listen to calming music before you hit the road. This will help you stay focused and calm while driving, even in the most stressful situations.
Angry drivers often look for reactions from other motorists that will ignite a conflict, and it is crucial not to give them this opportunity. By avoiding eye contact, staying in your lane, and allowing them to pass you without too much distance, you can prevent a hostile reaction that could lead to an accident.
If an aggressive driver begins to follow you, it is also vital not to race away. This will only invite a chase and cause the driver to retaliate with dangerous driving behaviors of their own, potentially causing an accident that puts you and other motorists in danger. Instead, try to find a safe, neutral location that is out of traffic such as a police station or convenience store where you can safely park.
Ideally, you should report the incident to the police once you have reached your destination. If you have a hands-free mobile phone, use it to call 911 and provide the driver’s vehicle description, license number, the location and direction of travel. It is also recommended to discuss the incident with a trusted friend or family member so that you can decompress and get an outside perspective of the situation. This will help you better understand the incident and ensure that you do not react aggressively in the future. If you have been injured by an aggressive driver, a car accident attorney can assist you in seeking compensation for your injuries and other damages.
Report the Incident
If you’re being followed by an aggressive driver and are able to safely pull over, call the police. Give them the driver’s vehicle description, license number, location and direction of travel. This information will help the police find and stop the offending driver before they cause a serious crash.
If the driver honks their horn or makes other rude gestures, avoid making eye contact or responding to them. This may fuel their anger and make the situation worse. If the driver is tailgating you, swerving in and out of lanes or blocking your path, it’s important to get away from them as soon as possible. If safe to do so, gradually slow down or change lanes to create a distance between your vehicles.
Keep in mind that drivers who are aggressive often have a reason for their erratic behavior. They might be stressed due to a recent argument, feeling rushed from work or family commitments, or they could have medical issues. Regardless, you should never assume that their actions are intentional and that they’re trying to hurt or threaten you.
Remember that you can’t control the actions of other drivers, but you can control your own. Practice stress-reduction techniques before driving, such as deep breathing or listening to soothing music. Plan your route ahead of time and leave yourself enough time to get where you need to go. Never let a stressful event at the wheel upset you so much that you lose focus of the road and become dangerously distracted. And, finally, always wear your seat belt. This can significantly reduce your chance of injury in a collision caused by an aggressive driver.