How to Avoid Being a Victim of Road Rage

In 2008 a "road rage" driver was burned to death in their own car. This death could have been avoided if the driver had quit revving the motor, and got out of the vehicle. But with the elevated levels of anger involved, this situation had gotten way out of hand. So how can road rage be avoided?

Most of the time when traveling down you're usually not thinking about the mental stability of the person driving behind you. You watch them in the rear view mirror as they inch their way up on your back bumper. As you stop for the light it looked like they almost hit you. Your blood begins to boil as you adjust the mirror and stare back at them.

The light changes and the vehicle passes then cuts in front of you and locks up his brakes. The next thing you know you're sitting at a red light when a big hairy guy gets out of the car in front of you with a baseball bat. You watch him and think to yourself: "how did I ever get into this situation?"

These types of situations can happen in a seconds notice. Each situation requires a different means of escape; along with many different types of individuals. The first thing to do is to mentally decide which type of situation you're in.

Listed below are some scenarios which might happen if road rage is an issue. Along with these scenarios are several ways to avoid it, and also how to escape the situation if it ever arises.

The verbal hit and run

Most of the time this is the most common type of road rage. Someone is really ticked off, and they especially want you to know about it. When someone has gotten to this emotional point the best thing to do is to let them vent their frustrations and move on. Don't take it personal, everyone sees situations in a different perspective.

The repeated verbal assault

This usually happens when road rage has progressed to the next level. This individual somehow doesn't believe that you understand, so they repeatedly harass you. I've had compact cars try to run me off the road in an 80,000 pound tractor trailer. Now you're driving around with an ego maniac. All logical thoughts are out the window with this one.

The best thing to do with this situation is to distance yourself immediately. Let them pass you then pull over. Even if you're the next Bruce Lee, let them go on. No one can anticipate what the other person is thinking, or immediately what their emotional state is.

Tailgating

With the infamous tailgater several methods seem to work; although each tailgater is quite individually different in their own way. Some tailgater's can be avoided by simply slowing down. Most of the time these drivers take the first opportunity to exit this situation and pass you as soon as they can.

While other tailgater's are just happy to sit there all night long. I've been tailgated by: trucks, cars, motorcycles, vans, and anything that moves. Usually my normal speed wears them out most of the time; although some of these have tailgated for almost 100 miles or better. Changing speeds, as well as slow starts and stops usually gets rid of them. Most of the time ignoring them also works. Although, some of these people are just following and don't even realize that they're tailgating.

Physical confrontation

This is usually the point where the rubber meets the roadway, when everything is getting ready for physical action. This type of situation should be avoided by all means. When the person who is "road raged" has gotten to this point all logical talk is out of the question.

Unless you're just itching for a fight (or even worse) this situation should be avoided. Any face to face arguments are usually introductions to injury for someone. Immediately drive away if possible and leave them to vent their own hostilities. If you're unable to move dial 911 and let the police take care of the situation. Lock your doors, and shut your windows.

The trick to avoiding road rage is to nip it in the bud when it begins. Don't lock your brakes up and make the situation worse than it is especially when your family is riding with you. So evaluate the situation, and take the appropriate measures to avoid injury to you and also your family.