What should you do if you encounter road rage?

If you’ve ever dealt with someone else’s road rage when you’re behind the wheel of your Clermont Toyota, you know how just scary it can be. Aggressive driving puts everyone in danger (and can also leave your vehicle a total mess), and that’s why it’s critical that you know how to handle it should you ever face it while out on the road. That’s why we’ve come up with some Clermont Toyota tips to help you cope.

What is road rage? Toyota of Clermont explains.

Believe it or not, aggressive driving is very common. According to a recent AAA survey, at least 80% of all drivers have felt significant rage or frustration while behind the wheel in the last year. And unfortunately, those feelings often lead to erratic, aggressive driving (otherwise known as road rage). Road rage is when a person engages in dangerous behaviors due to anger, including:

• Speeding
• Tailgating other drivers
• Cutting people off
• Refusing to let other drivers change lanes or pass
• Intentionally driving slowly
• Honking, yelling, and making rude gestures
• Trying to stop and have a person-to-person confrontation
• Bumping or swiping other cars on purpose

What causes road rage? A multitude of things. It can be things as simple as bad traffic, a delay due to construction, or the driver running late and being stressed out about it. Aggressive driving can also be a learned behavior (and thus “the norm”), and anonymity can also factor in. If a driver feels like they won’t ever see you again, they may not have as much of a problem with being rude to you. And finally, you just get those real masterpieces who have zero regards for other drivers or the rules of the road.

Four tips for handling road rage

Whatever the cause, road rage is dangerous for you, your passengers, and your car and can lead to a bad car accident. Check out these Toyota of Clermont tips on how to handle it like a pro and stay safe on the road.

Tip #1: Refuse to engage. Do not engage with a driver who has road rage. Don’t honk back, don’t yell, don’t try to drive aggressively in retaliation. Not only does bad behavior take your attention off the road, but it also can add to their anger and put you and your passengers in a very dangerous situation.

Tip #2: Get out of the way. If you notice a driver with road rage, try to get as far away as possible as you can. Change lanes, slow down or speed up, or if you have to, get off the road and pull into a parking lot to leave plenty of space in between yourself and the angry driver.

Tip #3: DO NOT stop. No matter what, don’t stop and engage in a person-to-person confrontation. This is exceptionally dangerous and can also land you in a lot of trouble.

Tip #4: Make sure they don’t follow you. If you encounter someone with road rage, watch your back for a bit after you get away from them to make sure they don’t follow you.

Want more tips? Call Toyota of Clermont today! We’re open seven days a week at (352) 404-7000.

 

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