How to avoid becoming a victim of road rage: tips from IAM RoadSmart

Some of us have become victims of road rage at some point in our lives. If it happens it can easily leave you feeling intimidated and shaken. IAM RoadSmart has some useful advice if you ever find yourself in this situation.

• If there’s conflict between two parties, there’s a likely chance you’ve both played a part. This doesn’t mean you should react. Try to take yourself away from the problem – let the other driver go on ahead. Even if you feel wronged, letting the other party go will make no difference to the rest of your day
  
  
• Is someone being confrontational or aggressive? If so, don’t make eye contact and don’t react visibly. Try not to think about them so that the incident doesn’t affect you afterwards
  
  
• If the other party is still being aggressive to you and you are in fear of your own safety, call the police
  
  
• If the other party approaches you in your car, can you drive away safely? If you can, consider doing so. But don’t rush off and drive like the getaway driver in a film, or if you think the other driver is going to chase you. If they are chasing, stop in a busy public place and call for help
  
  
• Do you have a passenger who can film any behaviour on a mobile phone? This will help in terms of evidence. Remember to include the registration number of the other vehicle involved
  
  
• Don’t open your door, don’t open your windows fully and don’t start or get provoked into an argument, try to stay calm
  
  
• If you were at fault, admit it and apologise. It may be enough to diffuse the situation quickly. And do not do anything that can be interpreted as retaliation. Even if you weren’t at fault, is the argument really worth it?

Hopefully by now the matter is over and you are driving away. Do acknowledge that this incident will have affected your behaviour. If you feel upset or emotional, pull over for some fresh air or walk around if you need to before resuming your journey.

Find a distraction like listening to the radio – move your mind deliberately onto something else and don’t dwell on the incident.

Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart head of driving and riding standards, said: “Road rage does not affect everyone every day. If you’re finding it is happening very often, you might want to think about how you engage with other road users.

He added: “Unlike pedestrians walking towards each other; who can easily get a feel of what the other person will do, where they might go or the mood they’re in, you have no such opportunities cocooned in your car.”

He concluded: “No-one needs to experience road rage, but it us up to each of us to ensure it stays that way. It is important not to be antagonistic or obstructive, perhaps making a person who is already having a bad day boil over.”

If you have friends or family who drive, please share these tips with them to help them stay safe on the road.