Being Safe On the Road -- Road Rage
Road rage can lead to a medical emergency, ones you are better off avoiding. I'd heard stories about it, but when I was involved in a case I realized how scary and dangerous it is. Let me share some ideas with you so you can have a better outcome should you get involved.
Road rage is one symptom of anger we see in the US today. How to handle it when you are the recipient should be part of driving directions given to everyone, partially to help you manage your fear, and partially to help you stay safe. Drivers who give into their anger should find anger management and get it under control before they hurt themselves and others.
I learned that not all cities/town or states have laws against road rage so you can't do much other than possibly cause the rager to be stopped for careless driving. But hopefully you can get help before it gets worse than that.
When you first realize you have angered another driver try to apologize for your indiscretion, without stopping your car. If that doesn't work to prevent an escalation of their rage, here are steps to take.
- stay calm, and breathe deeply and slowsy
- keep your head about you
- try to get away from rager with safe, evasive maneuvers (change lanes, get off at nearest exit - if it's a safe one)
- if can't, get good description of car and driver, and plates
- call 911
- take a picture of car -- getting plates and driver if possible (lots of phones have cameras that would work well for this)
- look for a policeman, police station or help while waiting for 911 response
- don't get out of car, or interact with rager; remember they may have a weapon -- knife, gun, club etc
Defensive driving is the best way to stay out of trouble with road ragers, but even that's not always enough. There are some unhappy people out there and you just never know when your path may cross theirs, and that sometimes is enough to set them off.
I hope you don't get involved in a road rage situation, but if you do I hope these simple pointers keep you safe. They worked for me -- and the guy was clearly out to get me.
