Responding to Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

Unfortunately, sometimes other drivers become aggressive or enraged. If you are confronted by a driver displaying aggressive behaviors toward you, follow these guidelines:

• Do not respond to the other driver. Avoid any escalation of conflict.
• Remain calm and take a deep breath.
• Avoid eye contact with the other driver or passengers.
• Be tolerant and forgiving. Try personalizing the other driver — the other driver may be having a difficult day and be looking for a way to vent anger.
• Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver is not. Your behavior may help reduce their anger.
• Be sure to allow enough room around your vehicle so that you can pull out or around if someone approaches your vehicle.
• Do not get out of your vehicle — it offers protection.
• If necessary, contact 911 for assistance.
• If necessary, drive to a busy public place where there are witnesses, such as a hospital, fire station or busy convenience store or gas station. Once there, sound your horn to attract others’ attention, if needed.

Avoid conflict.

As you drive, your goal is to avoid conflict. Realize that other drivers’ mistakes are not directed at you personally, so do not take them personally. Be as polite in your driving as you would be in any other social situation. If another driver challenges you, do not get out of your vehicle. Just as in a crash, your vehicle can give you protection. Do not lose that protection by getting out. You do not control traffic or the actions of others, but you Rhode Island Driver’s Manual – www.dmv.ri.gov 25 do control your reaction to it.

< previous topic

^ return to Table of Contents