Being a driver on the road is never easy. Not only are you dealing with the various road conditions (which can change quickly depending on the weather), you may have to struggle with traffic.
However, that is not the worst. Aggressive drivers are the biggest cause of accidents. Because of this, you need to be careful when you are driving around people who are driving aggressively.
Here are some tips for dealing with aggressive drivers.
Make sure that you always have enough time to get to your destination
If you are rushing to get where you are going, you are going to speed and might end up driving aggressively too. Two (or more) aggressive drivers in close proximity is never a good idea.
Keep enough space between car
It can be hard to keep enough space in between vehicles but it is really important. Even just a few extra feet may allow you to get out of the way in a bad situation.
So, even if you are bumper to bumper in traffic, do what you can to give yourself a little extra room.
Stay calm
Even though that is the last thing that you want to do when you see someone driving recklessly and aggressively, it is important that you stay calm.
If you react instead of staying calm, you could just be making the situation worse.
Avoid gestures
Many people react when they are dealing with an aggressive driver. They want to honk, make hand gestures, yell, and even flash their lights.
However, this can make the situation even worse. You could anger the person even more, making him or her drive even more aggressively.
Don't make eye contact
If you make eye contact with someone who has road rage, you are going to make the situation worse. You can really set them off and who knows what they will do next.
Get out of the way
Though getting out of the way of an aggressive driver seems like common sense, it is much harder to do. Too many people want to slow down to make the aggressive driver slow down. However, this can make the situation even worse.
For this reason, anytime that you have an aggressive driver speed up and get on your bumper, you should get out of the way. If you are not able to, at least put your blinker on so that they know that you are trying to get out of their way.
Call for help
If you have been trying to get away from an aggressive driver but he or she is continuing to follow you, you might need to call the police.
However, don't pull over on the side of the road to do so. The other driver may pull over also, thinking that you want to start a fight. Instead, find a public place where you can safely call the police to get someone on your side.
Aggressive drivers are the leading cause of accidents. By giving yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, you won't have to worry as much about aggressive drivers. You know that, even if you have to slow down for a little while, you will still make it on time.
With aggressive drivers, though you can't control them, you can control your own actions and driving. It is important that you stay calm and avoid eye contact and making gestures. If you do, you are more likely to make it to your destination in one piece.
Fleet maintenance is also important for your safety. Don't hesitate to contact us to help you manage your fleet. We would be happy to discuss your maintenance program and see how we can make your life a little easier.
