Disarming road rage

[Kleanbore]

Posted by rainbowbob: I once drove a UPS truck as a Xmas temp. The best thing they taught every driver was the positive effect of the "smile and wave". This is similar to the "my bad" wave.

You may be amazed at how disarming an admission of "guilt" can be when confronted by an out-of-control rager - even if you have nothing to apologize for.

"You're right - I'm wrong" renders most belligerent types speechless!

The voice of experience. Is there any really credible counter to this?

Your "pride" and being "right" has little or no value compared to avoiding unnecessary conflict - particularly if you are armed.

Seems to me that that simple truth extends far beyond the subject at hand!

Now, if a little conciliatory gesture does not do the trick, here's some advice that seems sound to me:

Posted by conwict: Most situations people freak out about (being followed aggressively) can be resolved by driving to a police station or somewhere else with a presence of "authority" and rather than stopping, laying on the horn. Remember, unless the person is ramming you, WHATEVER they have up their sleeves you will be better off moving than stopped!!! This is also where a call to the cops pays off if you can give a general overview of where you are and where you are headed. They may be minutes away but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't call even if you suspect the person won't follow you for several minutes.

 

[hso]

Remember that there are other locations than police stations that can be refuges. Any other LE station like a Highway Patrol or State Police. Fire Stations. Ask the 911 dispatcher if any of these locations are closer than the police station or the officers being directed to you.

 

[JellyJar]

Note to people that have not lived in Texas. Texas has farm roads or FM roads that are numbered. FM1960 is a major east west road about 20 miles north of downtown Houston TX. It once was a quite farm road but today is very built up and very busy.

 

[killchain]

If you are a left lane bandit (driving slower than traffic in the slow lanes) you DESERVE to be the target of rage.

It is inconsiderate to say the least and usually creates a dangerous situation.

You are a traffic hazard.

As to defusing a situation when you make a mistake, I find the "my bad" wave usually takes a lot of the tension away. We all err on occasion.

I disagreed with this statement until today. I almost got ran off the road by a left lane bandit.

You should never rage at someone, but man... did they make me angry.

 

[KodiakBeer]

I'm not justifying road rage, just pointing out the common cause.

Going 55 in the left lane (when the max speed may also be 55) is still atrocious driving. You're still creating a bottleneck. You're still using the passing lane as a driving lane.
It's not up to you to decide that everyone should drive 55 when they want to do 70. If you're passing somebody, then pass - if that means you have to break the speed limit, then break the speed limit. It's the passing lane, so pass and move back over.

 

[o Unforgiven o]

When I was 12, my Uncle and I were heading north on 27 on our way to the Ichetucknee river to do some snorkeling. It was first light maybe 6:45 or so and we saw this small suv pass us doing close to 90. Thought that was a little odd until a few seconds later this sports car passes us too right behind this guy. We sped up to maybe eighty to see what was going on. Turns out the idiot in the sports car was playing cat and mouse with the guy in the suv because the guy cut him off. We watched them for less than a minute when maybe 60 feet in front of us the guy in the suv swerved and lost control rolling off the road over 7 times in the ditch next to road. The sports car took off and we pulled over to try and help, as did a few trucks that were behind us. My uncle and a couple other guys managed to flip the suv back over on it's wheels and pull the driver out.


To this day I can see that suv rolling off the road, and try whenever possible to avoid a situation like that. I will pull over, exit or slow down but I will never give them a rise out of me.

 

[Kleanbore]

The OP posed a question about "what should one do if...".

The subject of how to reacting to potentially dangerous assault encounters is generally on topic, as are strategies for avoidance, escape, etc.

The question has been answered from a number of points of view.

I think we have now drifted into a discussion of driving.

If anyone does have a new suggestion that pertains to the original post, let me know.