Road rage is a serious problem, and in south Florida it can be very hazardous to your health. This week an incident in Broward County started with one driver cutting off another and concluded with one driver getting hit in the head with baseball bats. Miami Herald story – click here.
The victim in this case apparently got out of her vehicle to go face-to-face with the other driver, and what we will say about this response is don’t do that. Ever. We all pay taxes for police protection, so call the police. The driver who was beaten has serious head injuries, a broken nose, and will possibly require long-term medical care. News reports say she stepped out of her vehicle to record the incident on her cell phone, and once again our advice is don’t do that. Stay in your car and call police. You never know what weapon another driver might have, a bat, a knife, or a gun.
If you see a problem developing with another driver on the road and you feel he or she may confront you, try to diffuse the situation. Nod, smile, say you’re sorry. Even if you aren’t and it wasn’t your fault. It’s better to swallow some pride than to end up in the hospital.
“A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.” Albert Einstein
Because Albert was just about the smartest person to have ever lived, it’s a good idea to model our advice on road rage after that quote. How do you avoid road rage, including your own?
Here are a few tips from the Progressive Insurance Company:
Protect yourself.
If you are dealing with an aggressive driver, make sure your doors are locked. If you’re stopped in traffic, leave enough room to pull out from behind the car you’re following. If an aggressive driver confronts you, dial 911 or go to the nearest police station.
Don’t take it personally.
Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver isn’t. Avoid any conflict, if possible. If another driver challenges you, take a deep breath and move out of the way! Never underestimate the other driver’s capacity for causing mayhem.
Reduce your own stress.
Allow plenty of time for a trip and listen to soothing music when you drive. Make sure your seat position and climate are both comfortable for you. And mostly understand that you cannot control traffic, only your reaction to it. In the end, you may find that personal frustration, anger and impatience are the real danger zones on the highway.
Report aggressive drivers.
Some states have a phone number that you can use to report dangerous driving to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Keep the number handy on your cell phone. If you make a call, be sure you give a vehicle description, license number, and the location and travel direction. You could prevent a tragedy.
Be a courteous driver.
You can set the example, which can help make our roads safer.
Control your anger.
Don’t take traffic problems personally.
Avoid making eye contact with an aggressive driver.
Don’t make obscene gestures.
Don’t tailgate.
Use your horn sparingly — even a polite honk can be misinterpreted.
Don’t block the passing lane.
Don’t block the right turn lane.
Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys
The attorneys at Lazarus and Lazarus are here to answer questions if you have been involved in an accident or a road rage incident. Our primary duty is to our client and we work very hard to make sure your rights are protected. Call us at 954-356-0006 if you have an issue you would like to discuss with us.
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