How to Survive Road Rage

4 min read

Why is this dude trying to get you off the road? Oh, no. It looks like you’re in front of an aggressive driver. This could end badly for you. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. The aggressive conduct ranges from verbal insults and threats to tailgating, sideswiping, ramming, and even forcing another vehicle off the road. And in extreme situations, you could face a direct threat to your life. Between 2014 and 2016, gun use, in road rage cases, doubled.

In the U.S., 30 people are murdered every year in road rage incidents. Could experienced drivers be more dangerous? Why shouldn’t you go home after a road rage incident? What can you do to de-escalate the situation?

Step 1. Beware of experienced drivers

Road rage can be motivated by a specific event, such as a slow driver or a driver who changes lanes without signaling. And they can result in the perception of lowered risk, so drivers drive recklessly. An Australian study published in 2014 recruited 220 licensed drivers. It found that when drivers believed they were in greater control of their situation due to their superior driving skills, they were more likely to drive in risky and aggressive ways.

Step 2. Drive carefully

In March of 2017, Erika Flores was with her boyfriend at a drive-thru in Long Beach, California. A minor fender bender with the car in front of them turned deadly when the driver ambushed them in an alley near the restaurant. Erika was shot five shots in her chest and leg. She survived, but unfortunately, her boyfriend died in the shooting. Since you never know how drivers could react even in a minor accident, you’d better drive carefully.

Step 3. Keep it casual

In the U.S., eight of 10 people get caught up in road rage at least once every year. And situations can escalate quickly. No one enjoys being yelled at or cursed at, but you’ll have a better chance of surviving if you don’t engage with an angry driver. The best way is never to take the attack personally. So don’t yell or gesture back. The other driver doesn’t know you, and chances are you’ll never see them again. Engaging with them would only
escalate the situation, and it could be fatal. So stay calm and carry on.

Step 4. Don’t go home

If you get caught up in road rage, don’t go home just yet. If you suspect that the misadventure isn’t over, and the other driver follows you, drive to a safe spot where you can wait it out. A crowded place is the best option.

Step 5. Be nice

There’s nothing like a global pandemic to remind us of what’s really important. COVID-19 changed people’s driving habits in 2020 and 2021, and those angry feelings that can lead to road rage incidents dropped by 1.9%. Frustration, anger and aggression at the wheel have decreased since 2020. Maybe we should keep this up even when the pandemic is over.

Good job. You survived a road rage situation, and you can carry on. But wait. It looks like the road is twisty and the car is going downhill. Now you’re hanging off a cliff. But relax, we’ve got just the video for you.