How to Protect Against Aggressive Drivers

Aggressive driving is a huge problem when you find out that according to the AAA Foundation; at least 1,500 people are injured or killed each year. To prevent yourself or your loved ones from becoming one of these statistics, there are steps and safety precautions you can take.

If you have been involved in a car accident involving an aggressive driver it is most likely that you were not at fault, find a car accident attorney to help you prove your case.

Some things you can do to avoid aggressive driving

• Get plenty of sleep – you are less likely to get angry when well rested Improve the comfort of your vehicle
• Listen to soothing music
• Adjust your attitude – think before you act
• Practice kindness and common courtesy
• Use restaurant or “public place” etiquette – you wouldn’t “go off” in a restaurant, don’t do it while driving
• Remember it really isn’t about you – it may be the other driver is having a bad day
• Plan plenty of time for the drive – you’ll be less rushed, thus less stressed
• Loosen up and breathe
• Remain calm and avoid all conflict, if possible
• Don’t door ding – this means don’t tap your car door into an adjacent car when parked

Driving tips

• Change your schedule to less peak drive times
• Don’t react to the other driver
• Put yourself in the other driver’s shoes – maybe they are having a bad day, or are dealing with a crying baby/toddler in the car
• Keep your space – you don’t have to get too close
• Use your horn sparingly
• Keep music at an acceptable level
• Don’t pass unless you absolutely have to
• Avoid excessive lane changing
• Call for help from 911/State Police - if safe to do so
• Ensure you only take up one parking space
• Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver
• Keep away from drivers who are driving unpredictably
• Get out of the way of the aggressive driver
• Don’t stop in the middle of the road to talk with a pedestrian or passenger
• If you are not disabled, don’t park in the disabled parking
• If an aggressive driver is involved in an accident further down the road, stop and wait for the police in order to report your own interaction with the driver

Laws and Legalities
Many states have enacted special laws and/or regulations regarding aggressive driving. Do your research and get to know the rules. If you encounter an aggressive driver, report them to the police instead of reacting to their aggressiveness.  Make sure you have the following information to provide to the authorities:

• License plate
• Make and model of car
• Vehicle color and any distinguishing marks
• Actions taken by the aggressive driver
• Date, time, location

Work with your local and state legislators to develop better laws for aggressive driving and the penalties drivers will receive if they engage in that kind of driving activity. Once the laws have been strengthened, the citizens will need to partner with law enforcement to ensure that the laws are strictly enforced.

No one should suffer from a preventable injury and/or death.
Another great way to learn to avoid aggressive drivers is to sign up for a defensive driving course. Usually, there are many of these classes in every city.  The class will help you learn to be a better defensive driver as well as provide tips to avoid those driving aggressively.

Lastly, support efforts to invent better tracking and prevention technology. If each of us does our part, we can significantly reduce or eliminate aggressive driving and the resulting accidents and deaths.