2 of 37

Write now Article Tools

Driving your car is a high-risk activity because you cannot predict what other drivers may do at any one time. Road rules are in place yet they are only as effective as the drivers choosing to observe and there are some inconsiderate drivers on our roads who frequently demonstrate a callous disregard for anyone else. One of the most fundamental mistakes that can cost lives is assuming that every other driver will do as you would, you may pay attention and follow the rules but do not assume everyone else will. When we encounter those drivers it can understandably lead to an overload of frustration and some people become quite violent.

Accept that inconsiderate drivers are on the road; you are inevitably going to encounter them from time to time and it is what you do when this happens that counts. The first priority is to avoid a collision or running off the road - no other concerns are important at this stage and allowing the distraction of engaging in aggressive exchanges will leave you vulnerable. Worry about managing the crisis and keeping yourself and any passenger with you safe; forget about the other driver, he or she will probably be long gone anyway.

Learn to develop a so what' attitude when these encounters happen. The other driver ignored a give way sign and you had to brake hard, so what! Somebody cut in front of you, again so what! There is no point to worrying about it since the incident has already occurred and you have not had an accident so why not just sit back and enjoy the trip. Put on some great music and relax in the knowledge the other driver is inconsiderate but you are still having a great day. Whoever it was that behaved poorly on the road is someone else' problem now and not yours.

Being tailgated is an intimidating experience but there is one very simple way to deal with this problem and it is most certainly not hitting your brakes! The most effective way to manage the risk of an aggressive tailgater is to take your foot of the accelerator and allow your vehicle to cruise gently to a slower speed. The obvious will happen but at a much lower velocity: the tailgater will take off and pass you at the first possible opportunity so by you slowing down the risk of an accident is significantly less for both of you, and perhaps for the unfortunate vehicle that may have been involved from the other direction. Naturally you can expect some form of amusing display of finger gestures, one guy actually hit the brakes hard as soon as he was in front and then took off in a cloud of screeching rubber. This childish display of retaliation was harmless given the slower speed and he had passed so quickly that by the time he tried to spook me with his little tantrum there was a fairly generous distance between us besides I was half expecting it anyway.

Without any doubt you should be one to set a good example no matter how inconsiderate another driver is. People make mistakes and becoming unwound because of it will serve no purpose. By showing other drivers consideration you are one less problem on the road and it could be that you influence one or two other people into doing as you demonstrate. Let the inconsiderate drivers pass, let them cut in or do whatever just enjoy your own driving experience and remember time is not that important if you wind up being killed because of your haste!

Learn more about this author, Ian Loft.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Road rage: What to do about inconsiderate drivers?
We want to hear your view. Write now!