A privilege that many take for granted until put in a position and their privilege taken away is driving. Our driving freedom is substantially significant to developing us socially and economically. A driver that obtains the freedom to drive a car qualifies according to state rules. A driver has the set skills as well as maturity to drive a car.
A responsible driver is consistent each time he or she gets behind the wheel of their car. However, what if that responsibility is questioned when a driver loses self-control? Actions speak louder than words. In cases involving aggressive driving and road rage, knowing the correct quick actions can be the difference in a life or death situation.
Aggressive driving is described as any act or manner of driving of a vehicle in which the vehicles ability to maneuver in a normal capacity is manipulated by the driver whose intentional behavior raises the risks of a road accident. The harmful and reckless acts of an aggressive driver may seem innocuous but can injure or kill someone.Aggressive driving can also cause extensive damage to property as well. Aggressive driving is a direct progression to road rage related incidents. How do drivers recognize some aggressive drivers and not end up on the other end of the stick?If an aggressive driver persists on making contact with you, it is the non-aggressive driver’s responsibility to keep the situation deescalated by apologizing and then proceeding to drive. If the aggressive driver is taking a turn for the worse and acting erratically such as drawing a weapon or pursuing the non-aggressive driver, at that time police should be called immediately! Disengage and stop all interactions from the aggressive driver and drive to the safest location possible with as many people you can find until police arrive or in site.
- Understand the rules of the road. It is discourteous to block the passing lane. When possible, move right so that any vehicle overtaking can pass.
- Tailgating is very unsafe at all times.
- Only use your horn when necessary. Many of incidents, including those involving a gun, began with a driver honking a horn.
- Prepare to switch lanes by signaling ahead of time and not cutting other drivers off. If by chance, you mistakenly cut a driver off, immediately apologize.
- Don’t allow your emotions to get the best of you, refrain from using obscene gestures. Small gestures have ended badly in someone being beaten, shot, or stabbed.
- Parking can get a little tricky. Technology in cars allows drivers to use guides to park cars while others depend on learned skills. Upon exiting a car use extreme caution, and don’t hit the car parked next to yours.
- Whenever possible, remain free from all distractions. Take calls later. Abstain from using your cell phone while operating your car.
- By no means should a driver continuously flash the high beams at another driver or bully them to make moves on the road.
- Most critically out of all of them a driver should never look another driver in the eye. Eye contact should be kept impersonal.
It is the summer and as the temperature rises so does our tempers but if we are aware of others and how we respond. We can perhaps prevent ourselves from becoming local tragic evening news by avoiding aggressive driving.