Road rage and aggressive driving are serious threats on Nevada’s roadways. Aggressive drivers are more likely to engage in dangerous and reckless driving behaviors that can lead to accidents, such as speeding, racing, weaving in and out of lanes, and tailgating. If you encounter an aggressive driver, it is important to know how to handle the situation to ensure your safety.
Stay Calm
First, do your best to remain calm. It can be difficult not to let an aggressive driver get to you, especially if it is a road rage incident where the other driver is yelling at you, insulting you or honking at you. However, it is crucial to stay calm and collected throughout the encounter. Your reaction can determine whether the situation escalates or deescalates.
Don’t Engage
Do not engage with the aggressive driver. Do not make eye contact with the driver, shout back at the driver, use hand gestures, or respond to anything the driver is doing or saying. Ignoring the aggressive driver can help prevent the situation from escalating into a confrontation, which could result in a motor vehicle accident or physical assault. Continue driving safely and stare directly ahead at the road in front of you.
Maintain a Safe Distance
Increase your following distance when dealing with an aggressive or dangerous driver. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the other driver’s car to act as a buffer in case the other driver behaves erratically. If the other driver jerks the steering wheel to try to make an unsafe lane change, for example, maintaining adequate space between your vehicles can prevent a sideswipe accident.
Let the Other Driver Pass
If an aggressive driver is tailgating you, or following behind your car in close proximity, change lanes and allow the driver to pass you. Many aggressive and road rage drivers are frustrated by being stuck behind slower-moving vehicles. Even if you are going the speed limit, let a tailgating driver pass you to avoid further issue. You do not want the situation to escalate into a rear-end car accident.
Contact Law Enforcement
If an aggressive driver insists on continuing to harass you despite your best efforts to ignore the driver, contact the authorities. Use your cell phone to call the police and report the road rage driver. If you can, pull over in a safe place to make the call.
If the aggressive driver does not permit you to pull over, explain this to the police and give them a description of the vehicle. The police will ask for your location and direction of travel so they can send an officer to the scene.
Find a Safe Place to Stop or Drive to a Police Station
You may be able to diffuse the situation by pulling over and allowing the aggressive driver to continue on his or her way. Pull your vehicle over in a safe and public place, such as a parking lot. If the other driver is following your vehicle and you do not feel safe pulling over, don’t go home. Instead, drive directly to a police station. Park your car and keep the windows up and your doors locked. Then, call the police for help.
If you get involved in a car accident with an aggressive driver, help is available at Koch & Brim, LLP. Our car accident attorneys in Las Vegas can help you file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company and prove liability. Contact us today for a free consultation.