How to handle other drivers’ road rage

Have you ever encountered aggressive driving out on the road? According to a recent AAA survey, over 80% of drivers have shown significant and measurable anger or frustration while in the driver’s seat in the past year. We get it – it can be frustrating to drive sometimes, especially when things that are out of your control interrupt or delay you. Road rage, however, takes things to a whole new level.

Toyota of Orlando explains road rage

Road rage is when a driver is significantly angry when behind the wheel and takes it out on other drivers by tailgating, weaving, cutting people off, brake checking… you get the idea. Basically, it’s when someone is mad and drives like a maniac to express their frustration, even if they’re not specifically mad at you. 

What causes it? Lots of things; sometimes it can be as simple as someone having a bad day. However, the most common causes of road rage are traffic, delays, and running late to something. Another common cause is anonymity; drivers feel that if they won’t see the person they’re cutting off ever again, their bad behavior doesn’t matter. Sometimes aggressive driving is a learned behavior, and every now and then you just get those people who have no regard for others (or the law).

Regardless of what causes it, road rage can be exceptionally dangerous to everyone on the road and can quickly cause car accidents. It includes behaviors like:

• Speeding
• Cutting cars off
• Tailgating
• Swerving or weaving in and out of lanes
• Preventing other cars from changing lanes or turning
• Honking, screaming, and making rude gestures
• Confronting another driver outside of the car
• Bumping or hitting another vehicle on purpose

So, what should you do when you’re confronted by another driver with road rage? Here are our Orlando Toyota tips:

• Do not engage. When another driver is displaying road rage behaviors toward you, don’t engage. Don’t try to brake check them, yell back, speed up to make eye contact… it’s a bad idea in general. Not only does it take your attention off of the road, it also can fuel their fire and make them even angrier. Why put yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle at risk? Don’t engage.
• Keep an eye on the situation. Watch your back when you’ve encountered an aggressive driver. You want to ensure they’re not following you to try and force a confrontation when you do come to a stop.
• Get as far away as you can. When you notice a driver behaving recklessly, try to move out of their path. Change lanes, slow down or speed up to put distance between your cars, or worst case, get off the road and pull into a parking lot to get away from them.
• Don’t stop. If a driver with road rage is indicating that they want you to stop your Orlando Toyota, DON’T. You’re putting yourself and your passengers in danger if you do.

Get more tips at Toyota of Orlando

Need more tips for dealing with road rage, or need auto repairs after an accident? Call Toyota of Orlando! We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500. Our Orlando Toyota dealership is conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

 

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