How To Avoid Being The Victim of An Aggressive Driver

With summer vacationers and more people on the road, some not knowing the area, we are finding that driver sensitivity is waning. The additional summer traffic and behaviours of drivers who are not familiar with their surroundings can lead to an increase in driver aggression. In fact, our provincial police saw an eighty percent increase in fatalities last summer involving driver aggression and dangerous driving. As Sarnia injury lawyers, we have seen a marked increase in accidents involving aggressive drivers.

At some point in your travels, you may be confronted by an aggressive driver. There are some important tips to consider when this happens to not escalate an already dangerous problem.

How to Spot an Aggressive Driver

Aggressive drivers put themselves and everyone else at risk with their behaviour. It is a deliberate way of using a vehicle in order to do harm and is often referred to as “road rage”. Not only do aggressive drivers create a risky scenario but their behaviour may cause other drivers to also become angry and retaliate in their own aggressive manner. Typical aggression on the roads can be seen as:

● Name calling and hand gestures
● Tailgating
● Erratic lane changing
● Speeding
● Refusal to yield the right of way
● Cutting off others

How Traffic Congestion Fuels Aggression

Over the past two decades, our cities have seen a large increase in traffic and, as a consequence, driver stress. Drivers can behave territorially in response to this stress and consider anything other drivers may do as a personal affront. Our provincial government has responded by enacting laws to prohibit this behaviour and imposing stiff fines and penalties.

How to Do Your Part to Avoid Conflict

Avoiding conflicts with others is the best way to circumvent driver aggression. By keeping your own driving in check, you have less chance of attracting an aggressive driver. You can do this by:

● Only using the left lane for passing
● Use turn signals at all times
● Be courteous when passing and merging
● Acknowledge your mistakes with a friendly wave
● Don’t use your horn aggressively
● Don’t use any hand gestures when you are feeling frustrated
● Plan your trips and give yourself enough time
● Avoid distractions

How to Respond to an Aggressive Driver

Responding to an aggressive driver in the right way can make the difference between a situation that escalates or one that deflates. It’s important to remain calm and understand that, in most cases, the aggressive driver’s behaviour is more about their own frame of mind and not a personal attack on you as a person. In aggressive driving instances, it is always important to keep a calm head.

If you are being confronted by an aggressive driver:

● Avoid eye contact as this can be seen as threatening.
● Move out of the way.
● Avoid the horn as much as possible. It will further agitate the aggressive driver.
● Avoid any retaliatory behaviour.
● Drive to a police station if you feel threatened.

If you have been involved in an accident involving driver aggression, call the Sarnia personal injury lawyers at BLFON Personal Injury Lawyer for a no-cost consultation to understand your rights under the law.