Suggestions on coping with aggressive drivers
It is an unfortunately fact of life that some feel they own the road and will drive aggressively – putting others at risk for injury or even death. Here are some suggestions.
How to deal with aggressive drivers
Common aggressive driving behaviors
* Running stop signs and red lights
* Speeding, tailgating, and weaving between lanes
* Passing on the right of a vehicle
* Making inappropriate hand and facial gestures
* Screaming, honking the horn, and flashing headlights
If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, or witness aggressive driving behavior, follow these guidelines:
* Make every attempt to safely move out of the aggressive driver’s way.
* Do not challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to “hold your own” in the travel lane.
* Always wear your seat belt — not only will it hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver, but it will also protect you in a crash.
* Avoid eye contact with the aggressive driver.
* Ignore gestures, and refuse to return them.
* Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location, and if possible, direction of travel.
* If you have a cellular phone, and can use it while driving safely, call the police. Many have special numbers such as 9-1-1 or #-7-7.
* If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road, stop at a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration