How to Deal with Aggressive Drivers

Aggressive drivers – we’ve all seen them, right? They run stop signs and lights, speed, tailgate, and weave. They pass on the right, make rude gestures, scream, honk, and flash their lights. What are the best ways to deal with these rolling menaces?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises you follow these guidelines if you are confronted by an aggressive driver, or witness aggressive driving behavior:

• Make every attempt to safely move out of the aggressive driver’s way.
• Do not challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to “hold your own” in the travel lane.
• Always wear your seat belt – not only will it hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver, but it will also protect you in a crash.
• Avoid eye contact with the aggressive driver.
• Ignore gestures, and refuse to return them.
• Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location, and if possible, direction of travel.
• If you have a cellular phone, and can use it while driving safely, call the police. Many have special numbers such as 9-1-1.
• If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road, stop at a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.