Here’s How You Should React to Road Rage
When someone goes on a road rage, everyone loses, including other drivers. It can be frustrating to see (and possibly hear) someone get so angry without knowing how far they will go.
So what can you do to stay safe and stay calm when a driver is around? Here’s what you need to know.
Get out of the way if possible
Getting stuck in slow moving or stopped traffic can cause that person to get angry on the road, in which case you won’t be able to distance yourself from them. But if you find yourself in a situation where you are near (or targeted) by someone with a road rage and you have the opportunity to turn down the other street and get away from him, do it.
Put aside your pride
When someone is being aggressive and/or disrespectful towards you, it can be easy to sink to their level and conform to their behavior. But even if they’re wrong, this is not the time to stop near them, challenge them by speeding up, respond to any of their gestures, or do anything else that might piss them off even more.
Don’t look into my eyes
Avoid eye contact with an angry driver. This can exacerbate an already tense situation, which could lead to a confrontation. Just keep your hands on the wheel and keep your eyes on the road.
Be considerate to the driver
People who experience road rage usually experience other things in their lives in addition to what happened (or they think happened) on the road. So, clinical psychologist Lakeash Sullivan, Ph.D., says it’s best to approach the situation with empathy for the other driver.
“Let’s assume that this person’s rage is situational and not indicative of a character flaw,” Sullivan tells Driving magazine . “Under anger is usually sadness. So imagine they just got the worst news of their lives and don’t know how to deal with it. Wish them all the best and move on.”