Every year, over 5 million people are injured in road traffic collisions. Sadly, some victims never make a recovery. While some collisions are unavoidable, the majority could have been prevented.
One significant issue on the roads is aggressive driving or road rage. An aggressive driver is a dangerous driver. How can you protect yourself when faced with an aggressive encounter on the roads?
Avoid confrontation at all costs
While you may feel outraged at the dangerous actions of an aggressive driver, responding directly typically never ends well. You should try not to engage with the driver at all, and getting out of the vehicle to confront them is never a good idea.
Instead, let them pass if it is safe to do so. Ignore them and move on with your day. This doesn’t mean that you cannot take any action. You can discreetly take a note of the description of the driver and their vehicle, and pass this information on to the police.
Pull over at a safe stop
While stopping immediately may not be safe, it may not be feasible to simply let the aggressive driver pass you. Your safest option may be to pull off of the roads to avoid a high-speed collision. However, it is very important to think carefully about the spot that you choose. Ideally, pull over in a busy public place where there is likely to be a police presence. You should never pull over near your home residence or workplace.
If you were unable to avoid an aggressive driver and they injured you, you can hold them to account via a personal injury claim. This can be done as well as filing a formal complaint with the authorities. Seek legal guidance to find out more about your options.