4 things you should never do around a driver with road rage
Road rage is nothing short of an epidemic in the United States. It spreads quickly and can leave destruction in its wake. However, you can arm yourself with some street smarts to avoid some of the dangers of aggressive, even violent driving.
Road rage can be a scary thing to encounter, but you have to keep your wits about you
For starters, don’t be the road rager. Take a deep breath. Check your temper when you grab those keys. Your ego and short fuse have no place on the road. Might I suggest something physical as an outlet? Driving isn’t it. But if you aren’t the source of the madness, keep these safety tips in mind.
- Don’t engage
No matter how angry you get, you should never engage with a potentially violent driver experiencing road rage. Don’t gesture, honk, or stop. More importantly, resist the urge to get out of your car during a road rage incident. Around 96% of Americans polled reported encountering aggressive driving on public roads, per Zebra. Add firearms or other weapons to that mix, and getting out of your car in a road rage scenario is a recipe for disaster.
- Never lead an aggressive driver to your home, apartment complex, school, or workplace
It might seem like common sense, but home is often where people feel safest. So, retreating to their home might be a difficult instinct to overcome. However, avoid leading a driver with road rage back to your home or anywhere you frequent. If you suspect you’re being followed, call the authorities and stay on the line.
- Don’t forget to contact 911 in an emergency
There’s a difference between someone losing their cool and seeking to commit violence against another person. Is that driver trying to box you in? Are they ramming your vehicle or attempting to force you off the road? That’s a violent case of road rage. Always report road rage to the police, especially in extreme cases. After all, you aren’t the only person in danger here.
That said, listen to directions from dispatchers. You may have an idea of where you’re heading in the event of a road rager following you, like a police or fire station. However, a dispatcher may tell you to keep moving and continuously update them with your location so police officers can catch up with you and your attacker.
- Try not to forget your dash cam
Granted, not everyone has a dash cam. But road rage is a top example of why you might want to pick one up. A dash cam can capture the actions of aggressive drivers, ready for the police, insurance providers, and courts.
