Not only are there laws to follow on the road there is also courtesy and an aggressive drivers or someone with road rage does not follow either the law or have courtesy to others. You may see an aggressive driver weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, cutting off other drivers, tailgating, basically engaging in reckless and dangerous maneuvers.
If you travel, or maybe just on your way to work, the grocery store, taking the kids to school or back home, you need to be prepared for such drivers to keep you and your passengers safe. Here are some helpful tips:
Get out of the Way!
Once you have spotted the aggressive driver try to get out of the way. Stay calm and concentrate on your driving with no distractions. If they are tailgating you, put on your signal and change lanes as soon as possible. If you are near a public place, take a break and pull in even if its just for a few minutes.
Do not challenge an aggressive driver
Do not have eye contact. The aggressive driver may see this as a challenge and if road rage is involved with this driver, you are putting yourself in danger.
Do not make or return gestures or yell
As unsettling as this episode can be, remain mature. Do not get aggressive back with obscene gestures. Do not yell or speak to the other driver. Once you do you have engaged in their behavior and the game is on.
Try to stay off the horn unless necessary.
You can get a person really worked up if your consistently honking the horn at them, use your horn sparingly. This aggressive driver is like the bully on the playground but unfortunately the playground this bully has chosen is a roadway.
Call the Authorities
It is certainly not courteous to yell, blow your horn excessively or give someone the finger, but it is against the law to put someone in danger on the road.
Aggressive driving is when an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses that endanger other persons or property. If you see that an aggressive driver is causing danger to others or yourself call the authorities and report it. If you have a passenger in the car, have them get the license plate number, a description of the vehicle and driver.
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