Unless you’re a Delaware police officer on traffic duty, you can’t do much about another driver’s behavior. You might be able to safely distance yourself from a motorist acting recklessly. Then again, high levels of traffic, highway speeds and other issues could prevent you from escaping a collision, especially if there’s an enraged driver in your midst.
Road rage is serious problem in Delaware and throughout the country. It’s one thing to make an angry face at another motorist while driving. It’s quite another to cut a driver off or otherwise use a vehicle for aggressive purposes out of anger on the road. The latter causes many collisions and serious or even fatal injuries.
Controlling feelings of road rage
You can’t change another person’s behavior but you can control your own. The following list provides helpful ideas about how to keep your temper in control while driving:
- Remember that road safety is of paramount importance for all travelers.
- Adhere to all traffic laws and safety regulations at all times.
- Do not take another driver’s actions personally.
- If someone is acting aggressively toward you on the road, ignore it, and if possible, distance yourself from him or her.
- Call 911 if you witness a reckless driver placing travelers in harm’s way.
- Do not get into confrontations with other drivers.
If you’re running late for work or a social event, simply call the person or people you’re meeting and explain your delay. Many drivers experience sudden bouts of rage when they are delayed in traffic or running behind their own personal schedules for the day.
If a road rage collisions occurs
It can be terrifying if another driver cuts you off at highway speeds or follows so closely behind you that you feel like he or she is going to drive through your back seat at any moment. Horn honking, profanity and rude gestures increase stress levels in such situations.
If another vehicle hits you and you suffer injuries, your greatest priority is, of course, seeking medical attention. If you later learn that the driver who caused the collision was acting aggressively because of road rage, you might understandably feel a strong desire to seek justice. California law allows accident victims to request financial recovery for their losses by filing personal injury claims against those who are deemed responsible for their injuries.
