Sooner or later, everybody encounters an aggressive driver. They’re the sort of people who ride bare inches from your rear bumper – even though you’re already going five miles over the speed limit. Or, they weave back and forth and blow their horn behind you, gesturing for you to get out of their way – even when there’s nowhere you can go.
Aggressive drivers are genuinely dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that 66% of all roadway fatalities are the result of aggressive driving. So, how do you handle this sort of situation without putting yourself in further danger? Here are some tips:
1. Stay calm and don’t provoke anything worse
It’s tempting to fight fire with fire and make a few gestures of your own – but don’t. Aggressive driving is just barely removed from an act of road rage, and hundreds of incidents turn deadly every year. Stay calm, focus on the road ahead of you and remember that safety is your priority. Avoid eye contact, as well, since that can be taken as a challenge and cause the situation to escalate.
2. Move out of the way at the earliest opportunity
If someone wants around you that badly – let them go. You can pull all the way over to the left, even onto the berm of the road. If there’s no place to pull over so that they can pass, look for a likely crossroads or business driveway that you can turn into. Once they are around you, give yourself plenty of space. Do not attempt to keep up with them.
3. Call 911 and make a report
If you’re concerned about the driver’s behavior and think that they may be impaired or so reckless that an accident is likely, find a safe place to stop your vehicle and call 911. Give the operator as much information as you can about the other vehicle’s description and direction.
Defensive driving is the only real key to safety because you cannot count on other drivers to be sensible. If you do end up in a wreck because another driver was being aggressive, you have every right to hold them accountable for your injuries and losses.