Most Americans learn defensive driving when they begin to get behind the wheel. However, cooler heads do not always prevail on America’s roadways.
Road rage is a form of aggressive driving, and it can take a myriad of different forms. Geico Insurance says that almost 80% of drivers expressed significant aggression or anger at least once over the prior year.
What are signs of road rage?
Again, because road rage is such a broad category, many behaviors fit into it. A very common example of a driver exhibiting road rage is tailgating. Depending on the situation, a driver may actually roll down his or her window and yell through it.
Excessive honking can also indicate road rage, and so can angry or upset gesturing. Some drivers even get so angry that they will start cutting off other vehicles on purpose or even intentionally bumping or ramming into the car in front of them.
What should I do if another driver is exhibiting road rage?
The first thing to do is try to de-escalate the situation. If at all possible, try to change lanes or even exit the highway or road that you are on in order to allow the enraged driver to depart or pass you by.
You should also never reciprocate road rage with road rage. It may be very tempting to make obscene gestures back or even yell, but this is only likely to escalate the situation. In the event that you are afraid the other driver may be following you, lock your car doors and drive to the closest police station for protection. Road rage is common, but having a solid plan for mitigating the situation can help keep you and your loved ones safe.
