How To Handle A Road Rage Driver

It happens to everyone. You’re driving along when another driver acts silly, ridiculous, and annoying that you think you’re about to lose it. To show his dissatisfaction, the fellow driver will smirk, cuss, make nasty, angry gestures, or even roar.

However, if the other driver frequently matches that energy, both parties end up with a bad day. Occasionally, these angry outbursts turn into serious situations, and a brake check becomes a duel, a race, or perhaps a more severe occurrence, such as a road rage incident.

Luckily for you, this is avoidable. Taking efforts to lessen your road rage might make you a happier, and safer, driver. Here are a few tips on how to handle road rage and deal with aggressive drivers.

Signs Of Road Raged Driving

Since everyone differs, it is difficult to predict how another driver would behave when insulted on the road. The inability to manage one’s emotions and conduct, which results in road rage incidents, are symptoms of underlying anger issues. The most common forms of road rage are:

• Honking horn
• Rude gestures
• Flashlights
• Tailgating
• Heavy traffic
• Going after the alleged offender
• Dangerous driving
• Depression, frustration, and anxiety
• Distracted driving (loud music, talking on the phone, etc.)
• Deliberately cutting off another vehicle
• Speed
• Changing lanes
• Provoking conflict outside the vehicle
• Driving slowly
• Cutting someone off
• Yelling from a car
• Auto accidents
• Prejudice: gender, race, etc
• Bumping into another vehicle
• Driving over a median or sidewalk
• Throwing items from a vehicle

Major Causes Of Road Rage

Most of the time, road rage is just an initial emotion caused by other people’s careless actions. Thus, it gets worse when you feel the need to retaliate. It’s impossible to predict what would make one upset, but the following are some of the most common factors that cause road rage or aggressive driving behavior:

• Lateness
• Traffic jams, waiting at stoplights, looking for a parking space, or even waiting for passengers.
• Ignorance of the law and other people: Some aggressive drivers think that the law does not concern them.
• Learned or regular behavior: Aggressive driving is now the norm for other drivers who are aggressive in their daily lives.
• Driving while texting might make you angry at an aggressive driver if he accidentally cuts you off or drives dangerously. Nevertheless, staying away from them or pulling into the nearest police station is safer than confronting them.
• Impatience because of appointments.

How To Handle Road Raged Drivers

Below are some of the most effective tips on how to handle aggressive drivers :

1. Do Not Engage

If you see yourself in an actual confrontation with the other driver, back off and give him some space. Slow down and choose another route when the angry driver operates his vehicle carelessly. To prevent getting into a car accident with this individual, maintain your composure.

2. Allow The Enraged Driver To Pass

Keeping as much distance between yourself and the other motorist will help you prevent road rage or lessen the likelihood that it will cause a bad day. Permit another driver to enter your lane to put a barrier between you and the person.

Enraged drivers are always in a hurry, so move aside without confronting them. Once gone, you can then resume regular driving. Long after the road rage drivers episode has ended, think about stopping for a moment to collect yourself before you resume driving. Residual nervousness can make driving difficult even after the event has ended.

3. Stay Calm

Sometimes your rage may match that of the other drivers. In such a scenario, take simple actions to stay calm before engaging in a direct encounter.

Take a slow, deep breath while counting to 10 with each one. Remind yourself of your identity outside of the trying situation. Consider how your friends, family, and coworkers expect you to behave. Look into an upcoming event that you are excited about. Remember that it will soon be over, and try to look past the uncomfortable moment.

4. Make No Eye Contact With The Other Driver

Avoid making eye contact if the angry driver won’t pass you and instead lingers close by. Angry drivers can try to frighten you or look for a fight, but they may move on if you avoid eye contact and concentrate on the road.

Also, remember that when a person is driving with anger towards you, he is not always a dangerous person. Let it slide so that you can arrive at your destination safely.

5. Alert The Authorities

When you come across a dangerous driver, use your cell phone. If your safety is in danger, your cell phone can be your best friend. How? Just in case the angry driver tries to harass you, if it is safe to do so, call or visit the nearest police station to report the unsafe behavior.

Identifying information, such as a description of the offending car, its license plate number, and your position and direction of travel, should be ready to be given. Call 911 or dial 411 and ask to be connected to the local police department dispatch if road rage puts you or other drivers in danger. Calling as soon as a dangerous situation becomes apparent is critical because it might take several minutes for rescuers to arrive.

6. Pull Over At A Safe Spot

If the aggressive driver confronts you or engages more aggressively, such as invading your space, slamming you, or persistent verbal harassment, avoid going to your house, work, or other locations. Instead, pull up at a busy public place with witnesses, or even better, a police station. Keep the windows closed and the doors secured.

7. Draw Attention To Yourself Using Your Horn And Lights

Emergency personnel may take some time to arrive, so address the matter as soon as possible. Road rage incidents may be difficult to reach or low on their priority list. So, try to stay safe if you don’t believe you’re getting the care you require. Use your horn and switch on your danger lights to attract the attention of other cars. Your safety is more essential than keeping traffic flowing.

8. Allow The Other Driver To Win

This is difficult, but allowing them to "win" might swiftly end it all. Rather than winning an argument, your priority should be to stay safe. Avoid offensive words and give the driver the impression that he has gotten what he desired.

In addition, ignore any insults. The enraged driver could abuse you. Recall that they are enraged and that their comments are not directed at you. When you feel insulted, do not respond in kind.

9. Examine Your Driving

When you’ve cooled down after the encounter, think about what happened. Evaluate if you did anything wrong or whether your single action contributed to the other driver’s rage. It does not matter who was at fault now that you’re safe. Simply consider whether there is anything you can do differently the next time to avoid inciting the fury of other drivers.

How To Handle Your Own Road Rage

Here are some tips on how to handle your own rage.

• Avoid being in a hurry.
• Consider what you could lose as a result of anger.
• Do not use your car to partake in road rage
• Act like there is another person in the car
• Listen to some soothing music
• Maintain defensive driving
• Avoid distractions from most drivers and focus on the lanes
• Maintain a safe distance from the car
• Let the other vehicle and aggressive drivers have their way
• Don’t make obscene gestures.

Final Thoughts

Driving is a significant responsibility since you’re in control of a powerful vehicle that has the potential to hurt or injure people. Angry driving is dangerous, and an aggressive driver can cause a lot of damage to his automobile. He could even carry a firearm in specific circumstances. It is hazardous to get into a fight and escalate it when you are experiencing road rage, regardless of whether you are certain that you are correct.

However, applying the tips and driving in a safe and controlled manner helps to guarantee that everyone arrives at their destination safely.