Local newsNews
What to do in a road rage situation
JOHANNESBURG – Drive with your car doors locked and if you see trouble don't leave the safety of your vehicle.
Arrive Alive offered the following tips when confronted with road rage:
- Forget work or home worries, concentrate on driving.
- Plan your journey to reduce anxiety and stress.
- Adopt a positive mental attitude – to help with frustration.
- Play music to reduce stress.
- Don’t try to change other drivers’ attitudes, you can’t but you can change your own.
- Be courteous and stay calm if provoked.
- Drive with your car doors locked and if you see trouble don’t leave the safety of your vehicle.
- Count from one to 10 (it’s old and it works).
- Don’t retaliate by sounding your horn, flashing your lights or gesturing, this will only aggravate the situation.
- If you are a victim of aggression take the registration number and report the incident to the police.
Remember it is better to get there late, than not get there at all.
- Stay calm
- Avoid eye contact with the aggressive driver so as not to exacerbate the situation
- Do not respond to provocative words or actions
- Do not respond to disrespectful words or actions
- Do what you can to avoid conflict
If an aggressive person leaves his vehicle and heads toward you:
- Remain in your vehicle, make sure the windows are shut and doors locked
- Avoid arguing with the aggressive driver, looking at the person or making provocative gestures
- Leave the area and go to a place where you can get help
- Do not go home if the aggressive driver is following you
- If you’re in traffic and can’t drive away, pick up your cell phone and show the person you are calling the police
- If the person doesn’t back off, honk your horn to attract the attention of other drivers
- Note the make of the other driver’s car and his or her licence plate.
