Don't Become a Victim of Road Rage
Many people don't realize that a vehicle can legally be considered a 'lethal weapon' if intentionally used to harm other motorists. According to AAA, an average of at least 1,500 men, women, and children are injured or killed each year in the United States as a result of "aggressive driving."
The following are just a few easy measures that you can employ to reduce your chances of being run down by an angry driver:
- Use your turn signal - In addition to using your turn signal to communicate your intentions to change direction, it is also a courtesy to the other drivers. Failure to use your turn signal before turning or changing lanes can catch another driver off guard and may anger the other driver.
- Don't stop in a traffic lane next to another car to ask for directions or chat with friends - You may get the drivers behind you angry because they may be unable to get around you.
- Don't make unnecessary eye contact with aggressive drivers - If a driver cuts you off, it's important not to make eye contact with them because they may think that you want to get even. Your best bet is to ignore the aggressive driver and not take their actions personally.
- Don't drive slowly in the fast lane - In many states you can only drive in the fast lane when passing. However, in all states you should move into one of the slower lanes if you are not able to maintain the speed limit. Drivers in the fast lane have a tendency to want to drive faster and therefore may become impatient and angry with you.
A good way to avoid becoming a victim of road rage is to treat other drivers the way you would like and expect other drivers to treat you. Therefore, being courteous to other drivers is the best strategy.
