5 Tips to Avoid Aggressive Drivers | Phillips Law Group

May 25, 2018

Aggressive driving occurs when a driver endangers another person with his or her actions on the road. Aggressive driving is a factor in over half of all traffic fatalities, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Keep yourself safe on the road by taking care to avoid aggressive drivers. Phillips Law Group’s Phoenix car accident attorneys have compiled these tips to help you avoid aggressive drivers and prevent accidents.

If you were injured in an auto accident caused by an aggressive driver, contact us for a free, no obligation consultation and learn the legal options available for recovering compensation.

1. Keep Calm as You Drive

Often, many drivers who encounter an aggressive driver respond aggressively, which creates a more dangerous and volatile situation on the roadway.

Although you cannot control other motorists’ actions, you can control your own ”“ keep calm while driving to avoid aggressive drivers and responding aggressively to them.

Additionally, traffic delays are a common cause of driver aggression, so allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination in case you encounter delays as you travel to your destination.

Furthermore, you should try to create a calm environment in your vehicle. Listen to music you like or books on tape, avoid heated conversations with passengers and eliminate distractions, including cellphone use.

Also, do not drive while you are upset. This may cause you to react aggressively to mistakes made by other drivers or sudden changes in traffic.

2. Steer Clear of Aggressive Drivers

If you encounter an aggressive driver on the road, it is best to stay away from his or her vehicle. Get out of the driver’s way by changing lanes and slowing down if needed. If someone is tailgating you, move over so the driver can continue on ahead of your vehicle.

Also, avoid making eye contact with an aggressive driver. Making eye contact may engage and provoke the aggressive driver, causing him or her to continue his or her aggressive actions against you.

3. Smooth Over the Situation

When you encounter an aggressive driver, you should take actions to defuse the situation. Waving or gesturing that you are sorry may ease tension. However, do not acknowledge or return any rude gestures the driver may make toward you.

Additionally, it may be in your best interest to give aggressive drivers the benefit of the doubt, as their behavior may not be directed toward you.

4. Drive Courteously

Drive courteously to prevent aggressive drivers from targeting you on the road. If you are driving at a slower pace than the flow of traffic, move your vehicle to the right lane.

If an aggressive driver has targeted you, consider whether your actions may have caused the driver to become frustrated and hostile. If you believe this is the case, immediately adjust your behavior and distance yourself from the aggressive driver to avoid escalating the situation.

5. Report Aggressive Drivers

If you encounter an aggressive driver behaving violently on the roadway, it is best to report the situation to prevent an accident. When stopped, use your cellphone to call local law enforcement and report the details so an officer can be dispatched to address the situation.

Give as much information about the aggressive driver’s vehicle as possible so that the driver can be identified by law enforcement, such as:

Contact Phillips Law Group for Help

Even when you exercise extreme caution on the roads, car accidents caused by aggressive drivers can still occur. These accidents can result in serious injuries, leaving you with medical bills and lost income from missing work while recovering.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by an aggressive driver, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. The Phoenix personal injury attorneys of Phillips Law Group are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve after an accident.

Schedule a free, no obligation consultation with our legal team to learn which legal options may be available to you after your accident. There are no upfront fees when working with our firm, and legal fees are only owed if we recover compensation for your claim.

Call 1-800-706-3000 or fill out ourFree Case Evaluation form.