Aggressive behavior on the roads is on the increase across the country. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 80 percent of drivers express aggression monthly. Below are tips to avoid road rage behind the wheel in Lanham, MD.
5 Tips for Avoiding Road Rage on the Streets in Lanham, MD
1. Be Polite and Considerate
Stick to the road rules by staying within the speed limit, using your turn signals, and maintaining a safe following distance. Be polite in parking lots and allow other drivers to merge with the traffic. Even thank someone with a smile or a wave when they are considerate towards you on the road.
When you are polite and considerate towards other drivers, it will decrease the risk of being confronted by someone with road rage. Polite and kind behavior makes it difficult for another driver to show aggression towards you.
2. Stay Calm
When an aggressive driver is confronting you, do your best to stay calm. If you also start displaying aggression, it will only make matters worse, and the situation can quickly turn nasty, even dangerous.
Ignore aggressive honking, screaming, and swearing, and when another driver shows rude hand signals, look the other way. Don’t yell, honk back, or flash your car’s lights. Don’t get angry and allow the aggressive behavior of another road user to take your focus away from your driving or the road.
3. Be Tolerant
It’s crucial to ignore rude behavior from other road users to avoid a potentially aggressive encounter that could quickly escalate and turn dangerous. It’s sometimes difficult not to lose your temper when another driver is rude or makes mistakes on the road.
Don’t allow the person’s inappropriate behavior to get the better of you. We know it’s easier said than done. Just tell yourself the other driver might be having a bad day. Forget about the incident and concentrate on the traffic and the road ahead of you.
4. Protect Yourself
You have to keep yourself safe when confronted by someone with road rage. The best cause of action is ignoring the aggressive driver, not looking at the person, and keeping your eyes on the road. If someone is tailgating you, maintain your speed and show them, without being aggressive, that they can pass your car. If another driver is angry because you forgot to use your turn signal or cut them off, show that you acknowledge your mistake and continue driving.
If another driver has road rage, lock your doors, close the windows, and don’t make eye contact if the aggressive person approaches you at an intersection. Don’t get out of your car to confront an aggressive driver to prevent the situation from escalating.
5. Take Avoidance Action
If the other driver is severely aggressive and continues to harass you, drive to a public place immediately and not your work or home. If you have to stop at a traffic light, leave enough space between your car and the car ahead of you to pull out fast and safely if you need to get away.
Stay calm and find the nearest police station, fire station, or a hospital. Report the driver to the authorities by calling 911 immediately if you feel threatened.
To avoid road rage, be considerate and tolerant towards other drivers, stay calm on the road, and don’t allow the aggressive behavior of other drivers to make you lose your temper. Visit DARCARS Ford of Lanham today for a range of new and pre-owned vehicles, expert maintenance and repairs, and exceptional customer service.
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