People sometimes lose their tempers, and when they do, they can make unsafe decisions. For example, those who become aggressive on the road might scream at others, cut them off, swerve into another lane on purpose or even follow them to their destination to instigate a confrontation.
Road rage can be a frightening thing to witness, especially as the targeted driver. Motorists may need to have a plan in place in case they encounter someone who cannot properly control their emotional reactions in traffic. People who encounter drivers with road rage could become victims of criminal assaults or might end up involved in crashes because of the unpredictable conduct of the motorist.
The three strategies below can help limit the risk that drivers with road rage pose to others.
1. Go with the flow of traffic
Researchers looking into the root causes of road rage identify one key issue in many cases. Overcrowding is an issue that can affect emotional regulation in humans. The more drivers there are on the road, the greater the likelihood of someone losing their temper.
Many times, perceived unfairness or delays are what trigger road rage conduct. Drivers may want to move to the right if they do not intend to exceed the speed limit on a multi-lane road. They may also want to match their speed to the speed of the other vehicles nearby.
2. Avoid worsening the situation
Safety experts often advise people to avoid making eye contact with potentially aggressive animals. That can be a good rule to follow when worried about road rage as well.
Even if they want to express or defend themselves, drivers likely need to avoid trying to interact with a driver with road rage through gesticulations or verbal communication. If possible, leaving the road occupied by the enraged driver by turning onto a side street or exiting the highway can be a way to de-escalate the confrontation.
3. Choose a different destination
Drivers with road rage can be particularly dangerous in cases where they follow someone else to start a fight. Leading an angry driver to a workplace or residence is not a safe decision.
Drivers may need to head somewhere different than they initially intended. A public location with numerous other people is usually the safest option.
Drivers with road rage can sometimes cause car crashes through inappropriate and aggressive conduct in traffic. If they are at fault for a crash, the other person involved should likely contact local authorities and take steps to hold them accountable.