Aggressive Motorists
We have all seen the driver who weaves in and out on the highway only to wind up in the very same traffic jam that we do down the road. The fact is that all their rushing didn’t really get them any further along on his trip and his erratic behavior only served to unnerve all the other drivers on the road and cause potential accidents.
A recent article in an insurance periodical indicated that some of the reasons for this behavior may be increasingly congested roads, pothole repairs, over cautious drivers and stressed out motorists.
The NY State Police Department developed six steps to deal with aggressive operators as follows:
1. Always keep your cool and avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver
2. Keep your distance and don’t try to follow them
3. Avoid passing this operator
4. Allow the aggressive driver to pass you. Get out of their way the moment you are safely able to change lanes
5. Do not engage with a hostile driver. Even if he or she is tailgating you, maintain the posted speed and don’t try and communicate with this operator
6. Once you are able to safely report the incident, pull over and dial 911 from your cell so as to alert the local authorities of the danger to other drivers on the road.
Remember that a minor situation can quickly escalate into a violent act or serious accident as has been shown recently in many instances around the country.
Don’t try to be a hero! Stay safe and just get out of the way!
– Karen Skoler, CPCU
