Being in a motor vehicle accident shakes you up emotionally and physically. One minute you are driving along uneventfully, then an instant later, another vehicle hits yours. You are suddenly trying to figure out if you or your passengers sustained injuries, if the other driver and their passengers are all right and wondering what to do next.
There is one type of motor vehicle accident that is especially unsettling and frightening – the collision caused by road rage. A driver exhibiting road-rage characteristics may be motivated by anger, frustration or other volcanic emotions when they get behind the wheel. They might have a weapon or decide to use their car as a weapon. Anyone who crosses this person’s path is endangered.
How drivers fueled by road rage often act
Road-raging drivers usually behave in specific ways. Familiarizing yourself with what they typically do may help you to steer clear of them.
- They may shout profanities or insults.
- Their anger is so out of control that they sometimes pound on the steering wheel, repeatedly honk the horn or position their car much too close to yours.
- They will do anything to irritate you like flashing their high beams.
- They may escalate their tactics to get a response from you.
What you can do if you encounter a driver exhibiting road rage
It’s smart to know what you can do to protect yourself if you are confronted by a hot-tempered driver in the grip of road rage. Having a plan in place before anything happens may prevent a collision and keep you safe.
- Try to ignore the road-raging driver if you possibly can. Engaging with them will only intensify their fury.
- When you see a road-rager, report it to the police right away by calling 911.
- Remain as calm as you can. This can be hard when someone wants to provoke a response, but your well-being may depend on it.
If you do encounter a road-rager, stay composed and think clearly. Don’t become a victim of someone’s uncontrolled road rage.