Preventing Road Rage
Road rage seems to be happening more frequently today, and being a victim of it can be very frightening. It can also be extremely dangerous, as some road rage incidents escalate to serious injuries and even fatalities. While you can’t control what other people do, there are ways you can reduce your risk of getting caught up in the harm those people might cause. Here are some things to think about, so you can avoid becoming a victim of road rage.
Don’t Engage With an Upset Driver
If another driver is angry, don’t get mad back. Even if you want to, and even if your anger is completely justified, it can take a situation from bad to worse. Keep calm on the outside, even if you’re not so calm on the inside, and it’s more likely that the situation will fade away without serious problems. Whether you or the other driver were in the wrong doesn’t matter at this point. You just want to defuse the situation safely.
Call 911 if You Are Being Threatened
If you’re actually being threatened by another driver, you should call for help. Dialing 911 is the best and fastest way to do that. You can tell the authorities where you are and what the situation is so someone who can address the situation can get to you quickly. This is a good idea if another driver is furious and dangerous after a car accident, or if another driver is being aggressive toward you and won’t stop.
Obey Traffic Laws and Be Courteous
While people shouldn’t be getting so angry behind the wheel, you can help reduce your risk by being courteous while driving. Don’t cut people off, tailgate, or otherwise drive aggressively. It’s always possible to make a mistake in traffic, but you’ll want to stay alert and avoid as many issues as you can. Slowing down a bit, using turn signals, and paying attention to traffic signs can help.
Avoid Hand Gestures and Eye Contact
Many frustrated drivers will stare or glare at other drivers or will make inappropriate or threatening hand gestures. It may be human nature to react to that, or even taunt the other driver by laughing or making other gestures. But it’s best to keep all of those ideas in your head, where they’ll help keep you safer. The other driver may absolutely be in the wrong, but remember that it’s not your job to educate that person or “teach them a lesson.” Concentrate on being safe and protecting yourself behind the wheel, instead.
Watch YouTube Video: What to Do in a Road Rage Situation. In this video, Colorado State Patrol Captain Jeff Goodwin provides life-saving tips on what to do in a road rage situation.
Kennedy Car Accident Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Kennedy car accident lawyer. If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was caused by road rage, or if a loved one has been injured or killed in that type of altercation, you’ll want to have a strong legal representative on your side. In a stressful and difficult time, a dedicated injury attorney can make all the difference. Call me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly legal advice.
I have membership in the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and Million Dollar Forum. You can learn about my practice and see reviews from clients I’ve helped in the past here:
Image by methodshop from Pixabay
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