Imagine you are cruising along, going the speed limit, when out of nowhere a car comes barreling into your lane and completely cuts you off. Your nerves are frazzled and your first instinct is to honk your horn and throw your hands in the air. However, reacting in this manner can only worsen an already high-tension situation. At Escandon, Fernicola, Anderson & Covelli, we have helped many people in New Jersey to deal with the consequences of having been involved in a car accident.
Aggressive driving is never a good idea. Your decision to react in haste or with an angry demeanor will only increase the stress of the situation. Depending on the type of person the other driver is, you may end up upsetting them even more and creating an unavoidable danger for everyone around you. According to Geico, preventing the urge to drive aggressively and act out can be helped by incorporating some of the following tips into your driving including:
- Turning your radio to a station that you enjoy and keeping the music at a moderate level so as not to cause distraction.
- Avoid making direct eye contact with another driver who you may have upset, and motion “I’m sorry,” to help reduce tension.
- Do not give into the urge to honk your horn obnoxiously. Rather, a little tap will provide a friendly and non-threatening reminder to another driver who may have cut you off.
- If you are being followed closely, simply move to the lane next to the one you are in and allow the hurried driver to pass.
When you use these tips, you can make positive reactions a habit and prevent the feelings of anger and aggression that you may otherwise feel. For more information about motor vehicle crashes, visit our web page.