If you’ve been driving for any length of time, chances are you know about road rage. Either you’ve let your emotions get the better of you or you’ve been on the receiving end of another driver’s wrath. According to information provided by The Zebra, road rage incidents have increased exponentially over the past decade.
If you’re the victim of another’s aggressive driving, you want to avoid a confrontation or a car accident. There are some steps you can take to keep you and your passengers safe during a potential road rage incident.
What Can You Do to Keep from Being a Victim of Road Rage?
It can be tempting to react when another driver acts out with aggressive driving. However, it’s best to avoid confrontation or escalation of the situation.
Ignore the Other Driver
It’s best to refrain from engaging with an enraged driver to avoid escalating the situation. The best way to do this is to:
- Avoid making eye contact
- Keep from honking your horn or flashing your lights
- Don’t make hand or face gestures
Get Out of the Way
You want to stay safe to prevent a potentially ugly situation with an aggressive driver. You can do this by:
- Changing lanes if possible
- Pulling over to let the other driver pass
Go to a safe place
If the other driver is following you, it’s important to stay safe and avoid a confrontation. Do not pull off on the side of the road. This could lead to a dangerous situation. Instead, you should:
- Lock your doors
- Avoid going home
- Drive to a police station
- Go to a busy place
- Do not get out of your car
Call for Help
Once you are in a safe place with your doors locked, call 911. If you have the license plate of the other vehicle, be sure to give that to the dispatcher. If the other driver still won’t leave you alone, honk your horn to draw attention to your situation. Chances are that the other driver really doesn’t want to get in trouble for his or her actions. This may be able to prevent you from becoming a victim of road rage escalation and potentially serious injury.
What to Do If You’ve Been in a Car Accident Due to Road Rage?
If you’ve been in an accident due to another driver’s aggressive response, follow the guidelines as you would for any other accident. In addition, lock your doors and do not get out of your vehicle while you wait for the police to arrive, and follow the tips above to avoid escalating the situation. Do not engage with an enraged person.
There is Help for Road Rage
Have you been the victim of another driver’s anger while on the road? If you’re on the receiving end of another driver’s rage and were involved in an accident because of it, you may want to seek the assistance of a lawyer to help you through the process. An experienced attorney may help to ensure that, as a victim of road rage, you receive the compensation that you deserve, especially if you were injured in the accident. Your lawyer can get witness statements, discuss your medical expenses with a provider, and help to determine how the event may affect your future.
As a driver, if you are prone to road rage, there’s help for you. The Massachusetts RMV often refers drivers to a special course that’s designed to help you if you’ve been charged with an incident. This program is called State Courts Against Road Rage, or SCARR.
In any event, staying safe while driving is a two-way street. By following these guidelines, you can help to avoid and deescalate rageful situations.
