The following is a useful guide to staying calm when being harried by an aggressive driver. It may well prove a useful guide to print off or give a link to you learners and novice drivers.

Aggressive drivers are not only a nuisance and upsetting, they can be a real road safety issue. This is especially true when it comes to young, nervous and newly qualified drivers who are already at higher risk behind the wheel.

 

Deep breath, stay calm

One of the biggest challenges of driving is staying focused and level-headed enough to identify hazards and respond accordingly. This can be particularly difficult to do when faced with an aggressive driver. When we see signs of road rage, it can generate anxiety or make us feel angry ourselves, which can put us and other road users at risk. To keep everyone safe, it’s important to try to minimise our emotional response to road rage. Here are four ways to stay calm on the road when dealing with aggressive drivers.

 

 

1. Pull over when it is safe to do so

If an aggressive driver is tailgating you, flashing their lights, and pressuring you to exceed the speed limit, simply pull over and let them pass as soon as it is safe to do so. This is also a good idea if you find yourself feeling anxious, stressed or angry behind the wheel after an interaction with an aggressive driver. Whenever you feel an intense, overwhelming emotion while driving, the safest thing to do is take a break and calm yourself down.

 

 

2. Listen to calming music

Music can have a significant impact on our emotions and our driving style. In fact, a study into the impact of music on our driving found that heavy metal music increased rates of reckless driving, while pop music supported smooth, controlled driving. And while classical music can instil a sense of calm, it appears to encourage drivers to become so relaxed that they drive significantly slower than normal, which could be dangerous in itself. It appears that listening to music of any kind when driving can be a distraction. So if you’re prone to experiencing road rage, try listening to soothing music before and after each drive to help you stay calm, while keeping the car stereo turned off on the road.

3. Avoid eye contact with the aggressive driver

In situations where an aggressive driver doesn’t pass you when you give them the opportunity to do so, avoid making eye contact with them. They could be trying to intimidate you or seeking conflict, which won’t benefit anyone. Focusing on the road is important for safety’s sake, but it also has the benefit of encouraging the aggressive driver to move on when they fail to get their desired response out of you.

 

4. Stay up to date with the Highway Code

Sometimes aggressive drivers can make safe drivers feel as if they’re doing something wrong. If you find yourself questioning your speed, road position, or manoeuvres, consider refreshing your knowledge of the Highway Code. When you feel confident in your ability to drive legally and safely, you can more easily resist the pressure from aggressive drivers to partake in unsafe driving habits.

Keep your cool to stay safe

It’s frustrating to come across aggressive drivers, but getting worked up only makes the situation more dangerous. By staying calm you do your bit to keep the roads as safe as possible.

 

Sarah Howard

Sarah is an experienced driver and road safety advocate. After spending many years working as a lorry driver, she now works to share her wealth of knowledge with others and ensure drivers stay as safe as possible on the roads.