Have you ever been out on the road, minding your own business, when you're suddenly confronted by a driver with road rage? It can be scary, to say the least, and there's a huge potential for a car accident when drivers begin exhibiting this type of behavior. That's why our N Charlotte Toyota dealership is here to talk more about what road rage is and what to do about it.
Road rage defined
First of all, let's talk about what road rage is. Basically, it's when a driver gets super angry about something while they're behind the wheel. Typically, it's caused by drivers running late because of delays or traffic. It can also be a learned behavior (just a little PSA for all of you parents) and the fact that it has anonymity involved doesn't help; people are more apt to be rude to other drivers that they think they'll never see again.
Unfortunately, road rage incorporates some of the worst driving behaviors, including:
Yelling
Honking
Making rude gestures
Cutting people off or swerving around them
Speeding
Driving slowly so as to block someone's path
Weaving in and out of traffic
Bumping other cars with theirs
Trying to stop and have an in-person confrontation with another driver
All of which can easily result in a car accident or collision AND serious injury for everyone involved.
N Charlotte Toyota tips to avoid this dangerous driving behavior
So what should you do if you find yourself dealing with another driver's road rage? Here are some tips straight from the experts at Toyota of North Charlotte:
First, don't engage with them - at all. Don't even make eye contact if you can help it. As tempting as it is to yell back, resist. Engaging with them will only add fuel to their fire and not only that, but it'll also take your attention off the road and your defensive driving skills that help keep you out of car accidents.
Second, try to get away from them. Put some distance in between your N Charlotte Toyota and their car as fast as you can. You can speed up a little (don't overdo it), slow down, change lanes, or even get off the road and pull over. If you do decide to pull over, make sure to choose a lot that's public, well-lit, and has people in it.
Third, do not get out of your car as angry as they make you. An in-person confrontation will lead to nothing good and can actually be dangerous AND get you into trouble. No matter what they say, don't pull over and engage with them in person.
Finally, make sure they don't follow you. If you're trying to move away from them or pull off the road and notice them making aggressive moves to follow you, don't be afraid to call for help. You can contact the police for help in this scenario by calling 911.
If you have additional questions, don't hesitate to call us! Toyota of North Charlotte is open seven days a week at (704) 875-9199 and we're conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.
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