Roadrage 2003 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The driver should feel they are allowed to make the best decision in order to assure their personal safety due to road rage.
General advice:
Whether there is physical damage or not, it is best that you stay at the scene, if possible. Call 911. Explain you are ‘afraid for your safety because of another driver’s road rage’. Follow their instructions.
While waiting for the police to arrive:
DO NOT LOOK THE ENRAGED DRIVER IN THE EYE
DO NOT RELATE / INTERACT WITH THE ENRAGED DRIVER
DO NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE
LOCK THE DOORS, KEEP THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP
START WRITING YOUR REPORT.
LICENSE PLATE # MAKE AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE
LOCATION
WHEN: TIME OF THE INCIDENT
WHEN ENRAGED DRIVER IS UNAWARE, TAKE AS MANY PICTURES OF EVERYTHING 360º AROUND YOU WITH YOUR CELL PHONE
Again, if you, the driver, feel that your personal safety is jeopardized, take appropriate action.
Road Rage Incident (Live Link)
In heavy, slow traffic a driver in front of our vehicle stops and gets out, pounds on our driver’s window, and yelling curses. There is no physical damage to the other vehicle. Our driver is startled, concerned and leaves the scene at the first opportunity because there was no accident, and he is concerned for his personal safety. Driver calls in a report to his supervisor. Later, the Road Rage driver called the company, talks to whoever picks up, cursing and threatening to sue and doesn’t leave any information.
There are many probable outcomes from how this driver decided to handle this ‘road rage’ situation. Bottom-line: He was not harmed.
Here are a few:
Scams (live link)
This is one of the possible scenarios which could have developed if the driver stayed put in the example above. This could also be a staged event to help sell car cams. However, it demonstrates how helpless a driver can be when there is an intentional effort to create an accident.
Apr 01, 2013 @ 16:51:23
Hi, I think that your advice is generally spot on. however, there is the risk of the enraged driver starting to follow you, if you do decide to retreat – could directing yourself towards a safe place such as a police station or crowded place work? I think regardless of conflict on the road, it has to stem from somewhere and I believe its all down to an individuals driving style. Some believe that they are the law, and will take risks and drive inappropriately, whilst others will adopt a much harmonious style, adhering to road rules and regulations. I’ve profiled these types of drivers on my blog http://rolesrelations.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/driving-conflict-off-our-roads/ and it does seem to indicate certain tell-tale signs and what to look out for in peoples driving habits.
JR
Apr 02, 2013 @ 13:15:08
Thanks Joshua, for your profile of driver types. I will digest the information and comment later.
About the safe place:
1, That is why there is a follow up, conclusion to my recommendation. It is to focus on letting the driver understand he is in the driver’s seat. He is ultimately responsible for his safety and making the decision that makes the difference if it becomes a life or death issue. The driver should not have to be thinking about what the company rules are in a situation like that . . . flight of fight.
2. In this age of cell phones, I am thinking the driver might find the time to call, eventually.
3. I’ll have to think on it some more. A safe place may have merit that I just can’t see right now. Do you have some stories to shed light on the matter?