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Accident Reconstruction Research: Road Rage

Avoiding Road Rage

If you feel threatened by another motorist, the following gives advice on how to defuse the situation or protect yourself:

• If you're being hassled by another driver, try not to react. Avoid making eye contact, as this is often seen as confrontational. Don't be tempted to accelerate, brake, or swerve suddenly; again, this may be seen as confrontational and increases your chances of losing control of your vehicle.

• If a driver continues to hassle you or you think you are being followed, drive on to the nearest police station or busy place to get help.

• In town, lock the car doors and keep the windows and sunroof only partly open.

• When stopped in traffic, leave enough space to pull out from behind the car you are following.

• If someone tries to get into your car, attract attention by sounding your horn or a personal alarm.

• Do not be tempted to start a fight and do not be tempted to carry any sort of weapon. It may only provoke a potential assailant and could end up in his or her hands.

The Automobile Association
Group Public Policy Road Safety Unit
Matthew Joint, MSc, BSc, MCIT
Head of Behavioral Analysis
March, 1995

• Aggressive Driving: Three Studies
  Three independent investigations into the causes and potential repercussions of road rage. Advice for diffusing and avoiding road rage is also offered.
  

• American Institute For Public Safety
  Home of the "Road Rageous" aggressive driving course.
  

• Dr. Driving Teaches Driving Psychology
  Detailed examination of the psychology of driving. Topics include road rage, lifelong driver education, and drivers behaving badly.
  

• Teens Beware: Road Rage It Can Kill You!
  Teen shares his personal encounter with road rage.
  

• Traffic Psychology at the University of Hawaii
  Extensive list of resources with a focus on driver psychology.
  

• CAA: Aggressive Driving
  Driving tips from the Canadian Automobile Association.
  

• DOT: Road Rage
  How to avoid a driving assault and learn to control your temper.
  

• Drivers.com: Road Rage
  Tips on avoiding road rage, as well as some sobering statistics on the results of aggressive driving.
  

• State Farm Insurance: Safety & Preventative Measures
  Offers tips for dealing with aggressive driving in a safe manner.
  

• Wisconsin Road Rage Site
  Report bad drivers or view a story about road rage.