Road rage is a widely publicized syndrome whereby drivers attack other drivers on the road as a result of outburst’s of extreme anger at common driving mistakes or mishaps.
Road rage is not criminally motivated as such, yet can result in criminally violent action or even murder as “pumped up” drivers lose control and lash out mindlessly. In other words, road rage is usually out of proportion to the incident and is an exaggerated reaction of unpredictable force.
You should be aware of the signs of road rage and of its potential for serious or even fatal consequences. Sudden roadside stabbings , beatings with heavy objects and throttling are some of the worst outcomes of road rage frenzies. Murders have taken place even with witnesses such as partners or family members desperately trunk to protect their loved one.
Because consequences of road rage can be so dire, the slightest hint of the behavior associated with it should be motivation for extreme caution.
SAYING SORRY HELPS
Research has shown that road ragers most often become upset because of accidental or unintentional mistakes on the road made by other drivers. If you do find yourself under a verbal attack
for cutting in front of a road rager, or some other “misdemeanor”, one of the responses most widely recommended is a clear apology. DO NOT, however risk rolling down the window.
It is suggested by many police departments and experts that you instead keep a sign in car boldly marked “sorry” that you can hold up for view and that will be visible through your car window.
Research has shown that most road ragers will give up there angry behavior at this point , as the act of communicating the message “sorry” alone jolts them into regaining some emotional control.
However, even after indicating that you are sorry, keep your distance: do not leave the car, and do not engage in any kind of interaction.
If your car or there car has been hit and you need to make or provide insurance claims, call the police on your cell phone and do not attempt to begin negotiations with the other driver. Even if the other driver appears to have calmed down initially. his mood may be volatile or unpredictable.
Road rage dos and donts
Stay in your car
Call the police if you feel threatened
NEVER respond aggressively
Keep a “sorry” sign on hand in the car top show to the other driver through a rolled up window.
if you have no sign, use an open handed gesture similar to a wave and mouth the words sorry
Remain inside your car with your windows rolled up and your doors locked, and do not leave your vehicle until the police arrive.
Do not attempt to talk your way out of the situation.