Road Rage and Driving

In recent years, the incidence of road rage has become both more common, and more dangerous. We've all heard the stories of people who are constantly grumbling about other drivers, and making sarcastic comments abut them while driving along, but those relatively harmless versions of road rage have been added to with a whole new group of people who take road rage to the next level, and react with outright violence to perceived wrongs suffered on the roadway.

The Best Road Rage Responses:

• Put distance between your car and theirs
• Contact law enforcement
• Do not stop in front of or next to the other car
• Avoid physical contact

First and foremost, don't exhibit road rage yourself. In almost every instance, the person who has upset didn't intend to do so, and meant no harm to your or your frame of mind in doing so. By letting a small incident get blown out of proportion, your ability to control your vehicle properly suffers. We've all heard the phrase “so mad he saw red,” but most of us don't realize that when we are angered, our awareness is severely restricted, and that our driving may be suffering as a result.

If you have somehow caught the attention of a person who seems to be raging, the first step is to avoid direct contact. Don't exchange profanities and shaken fists with them, for one thing. For another try to avoid doing anything further to feed that person's anger. Slow down and let them drive away from you, or even get off the roadway at the next exit, and then get back on the roadway a few minutes later.

If you attempt to exit, and the person suffering from road rage follows you, don't stop your car to talk with them. If a person has taken steps to follow you, they are stalking you, and there is no way to anticipate how they will act in a face to face meeting. If possible find a police officer and get their attention. If you have a cellphone, dial 911 and explain your situation, and be prepared to give your exact location as closely as possible. But if you are being followed by an irate driver, avoid stopping at all costs until you are certain that it is safe to do so.

Most states have added traffic regulations that specific deal with road rage, but your first and best line of defense is to avoid contact. Given time, even a deeply angered person will calm down, but you are being very wise to keep your vehicle moving and try to maintain a distance from someone who is exhibiting road rage. Ideally, slow down and get behind them, to avoid such manic actions as thrown items or even gunshots.