5 Tips for dealing with Road Rage Drivers

February 13th, 2013  |  Insurance

Drivers make mistakes. And, in most cases if you make a mistake a simple “sorry wave” will do the trick. However, everyone has been in a situation where you are minding your own business driving down the road and then all of a sudden the driver beside you throws a fit, starts honking their horn and yelling at you. This is road rage in action and it is a serious issue on Canadian road ways as it can lead to accidents and violent acts.

Experiencing road rage in another driver can be a scary situation. You never know what another driver could do or how they will react. Therefore, it is important to not engage the driver and try to get out of the situation quickly and safely before it escalates further.

What not to do if you encounter a road rage driver

If you find yourself in a situation where another driver is displaying road rage, here is what you can do to diffuse the situation and move on with your day:

1. Don’t honk back: While you may be tempted, don’t honk back. This could just enrage the person more and lead to more aggressive behaviour.
2. Don’t flip them off: A common reaction my many drivers, this will likely escalate the situation and make things worse.
3. Don’t roll down your window: There is no need to verbally engage with the driver. This could lead to you saying something that will only make the situation worse.
4. Don’t pull over: Never pull over or get out of the car. This could lead to a physical confrontation.
5. Don’t make eye contact: If you experience a road rage driver, do your best to avoid eye contact. When you make eye contact, it only gives the driver more fuel to continue their rage.

What do you do when you experience a road rage driver? Do you just ignore them? Do you react? We want to hear your road rage stories!