You’re driving along, minding your own business, and all of a sudden you come across an aggressive driver. Even though you hope to avoid a conflict, you know that removing yourself from harm’s way is easier said than done.
Here are five immediate steps to take if you encounter an aggressive driver:
- Don’t become angry yourself: Just because someone is screaming at you doesn’t mean you have to respond in the same manner.
- Realize that people make mistakes: Don’t assume that a person is being an aggressive driver. There are times when people make mistakes, such as changing lanes without signaling.
- Don’t make eye contact: One of the best ways to calm the situation is to keep your eyes on the road. Making eye contact can quickly escalate the conflict.
- Don’t tailgate: If you’re behind someone who has annoyed you, leave a good amount of space. Tailgating the person doesn’t do anyone any good.
- Don’t block the person: You may consider this your way of teaching them a lesson, but it will anger the person while increasing the risk of an accident.
If an aggressive driver causes an accident, move your car to safety and call 911. Since this person is angry already, it makes sense to stay in your vehicle until police arrive. Getting out could lead to a confrontation that you don’t want any part of.
Once you receive medical treatment, contact your insurance company to share the details of the crash. It’s at this point that you can also learn more about the best way to protect your legal rights.