If you encounter road rage on the roadway, it can be quite scary and even dangerous. Some people can be very calm in in-person situations, but when they get behind the wheel, their tempers flare. There are even cases where drivers commit crimes because of their road rage. If you encounter another driver who seems to be out of control, you need to stay safe. Be the bigger person and apologize if you seem to have upset them. Put as much distance between you as you safely can. Never engage with them with gestures like honking. And finally, call the police if things get dangerous or they begin following you. Hopefully, you won’t encounter any serious cases of road rage, but it’s important to know how to protect yourself just in case.
Staying Safe If You Encounter Road Rage: How to Protect Yourself From Other Drivers
Be The Bigger Person
If you think that you are the cause of road rage and that you have upset another driver, be the bigger person and apologize. Even if you think they are acting irrationally. You don’t know them and likely will never see them again. So there’s no harm in letting them win. Give them a gesture that shows you’re sorry to diffuse the situation. Being the bigger person can be hard, especially if you aren’t in the wrong, but it could keep you safe.
Put Distance Between You
Put as much distance as you can between yourself and the driver with road rage. Even if it means getting to your destination a few minutes late. It’s still better than getting into an accident. If you are on a highway with several lanes, move over as far as you can. You can also slow down or take an early exit. If you are on a city road, just turn down another street and take a different route.
Do Not Engage
Never engage when you encounter road rage at the hands of another driver. This can just incite their anger even more. For example, never honk or give them the middle finger. If they cut you off, do not tailgate them. And if somebody is tailgating you, maintain a safe speed. Do not slow down just to anger them more. If you are not directly involved in an incident, don’t try to make eye contact with the driver either.
Call Police
Finally, if you are encounter road rage and are fearful, call the police. Especially if they begin
following you. If you can take down a license plate number safely, do so. Otherwise, call the police and they can ask you about what route you’re taking to try to pinpoint the driver. Road rage can lead to accidents and is very serious. If you feel you are at risk, call for help. If a driver begins following you, drive straight to a police station.
Road rage is a serious problem in our country. If you encounter road rage in another driver, try to diffuse the situation as much as you can. Then put as much distance between you as is possible. Never engage with the person by making gestures, tailgating, or honking. And finally, call the police if you feel you are in danger. If you experience
road rage yourself, it’s important to identify it and learn ways of calming yourself down. Reach out to a therapist to help you identify your triggers and learn safe ways of diffusing your emotions. Road rage can lead to serious accidents and even deaths in collisions. It’s important to know how to handle another driver with road rage so that you can keep yourself and other cars on the road safer.
