Whether it’s on your morning or evening commute, on a road trip or just while you are out running errands, there’s a chance you will find yourself dealing with an extremely aggressive driver. It can be a nerve-racking situation, as the driver’s behavior could become unpredictable and his or her anger could continue to escalate, prompting further danger to you and everyone else on the road.
How can you best handle a driver exhibiting signs of road rage? Here are some tips:
- Never respond: This is the single-most important rule of dealing with enraged drivers. You should never react in any way to any gestures, insults or behavior. This means you should not respond verbally or with your driving. Instead, try to de-escalate the situation, backing off and giving the driver space.
- Stay away: If you can see a driver ahead of you who is speeding, tailgating and making quick lane changes, or weaving in and out of traffic, it’s a good idea to stay away. The closer you get to unpredictable driving behavior, the more likely it is that an accident will occur.
- Never go for vengeance: Attempting to teach the other driver a “lesson” will only escalate the situation. You might hope your actions will be instructive or disciplinary, but all it does is needlessly put you in danger.
- Never make eye contact: We’ve already mentioned that you should avoid reacting, but even making eye contact can be a big mistake. It shows the other driver you are aware of his or her presence, and will likely make that person escalate the negative behavior.
For more information on how to proceed in a legal claim against a reckless driver, work with a skilled Manatee County personal injury lawyer at Goldman Babboni Fernandez & Walsh.