Avoiding Road Rage can save your life!
With the recent rise of road rage related deaths, Constable Mark Herman offers some great tips to slow down, calm down and stay safe even with aggressive drivers on the road.
These tips can save your life!
PRACTICE POLITE DRIVING HABITS: Avoid tailgating, cutting off other vehicles, speeding, weaving, leaving high beam headlights on, and erratic braking. Don’t drive in the left lane slower than the rest of traffic. Merge politely, and always err on the side of being courteous.
SLOW DOWN: Simply let aggressive drivers go around you and typically, they will quickly be on their way.
GET AWAY FROM AGRESSIVE DRIVERS: If you notice a driver with aggressive behavior, put some distance between you, whether you slow down and let them get ahead or change lanes so you’re not right next to each other.
DON'T MAKE RUDE GESTURES OR YELL AT OTHER DRIVERS: Remember, you’re not the police, and it’s not your job to remind others how to drive, even if they’re doing a terrible job.
USE YOUR HORN SPARINGLY: Horns should primarily be used in emergency situations. Tap your horn lightly if you need to get a driver’s attention, and give drivers ahead of you at lights a few extra seconds of grace before honking to remind them to move through the intersection.
APOLOGIZE IF YOU'VE DONE SOMETHING WRONG: If you’ve accidentally cut off another driver, braked too fast, or made some other mistake that could be offensive, simply smile and wave as an apology. This will disarm and calm most drivers.
ADJUST YOUR DRIVING ATTITUDE: Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt. Many mistakes are unintentional and not meant as a personal offense. Consider whether responding aggressively is worth being injured or killed.
HAVE REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS ABOUT YOUR DRIVE TIME: Know when you’ll be driving in traffic, give yourself plenty of time, and don’t set unreasonable expectations for how fast you’ll get to your destination.
CALL 911 IF YOU'RE UNDER ATTACK: If an aggressive driver attacks you, call 911 right away and stay on the phone with the dispatcher. Consider driving to the nearest police station, convenience store, or other public location with witnesses. Do not drive home!