Many Pennsylvania motorists are aggressive and even ready to vent their rage on other drivers who offend them. The following are a few tips for defusing that aggression in other drivers and preventing any road rage incidents.
First and foremost, people should not adopt a “tit for tat” mentality when faced with an aggressive motorist. They should not honk the horn, flash the headlights or make angry hand gestures. They should not even make eye contact, or the aggressive driver may take that as a challenge.
Many become aggressive on the freeway when faced with a slow driver in the left-hand lane. Those who are going slow, or at least not going fast enough for the vehicles behind them, should signal that they will change lanes and do so as soon as it’s safe. They should neither slow down nor speed up as they may inadvertently block a passing lane and make the driver behind them angrier.
Drivers should maintain a safe following distance, especially in traffic jams. This can give them enough space to make a quick escape should a driver get aggressive. Another time when drivers need to be on guard is when searching for a parking spot. They should remain calm at all times and know what methods help them defuse stress.
When car collisions occur because of an aggressive driver, the victims may be able to file a claim against that driver’s auto insurance company. Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state, which may make it hard for victims to know how they can seek damages. A lawyer, though, may not only provide an explanation but also assist with the claim itself and negotiate for a settlement covering all legitimate losses.