Road Rage

In Seattle, Washington a young man biking home from work noticed an SUV trailing too closely trying to pass on a busy road. The driver of the SUV became infuriated that the bicyclist was taking up part of the road and swerved to brush him aside. The driver did this a few times and was on his way. However, it wasn't over yet. The SUV driver stopped and waited as the biker approached, tackled him from his bike and then proceeded to punch him in the face. This is road rage and unfortunately, cases like this are not uncommon.

Road rage is one step above aggressive driving and is defined by "an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger of another motor vehicle, or an assault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway."

If an aggressive driver or road rager is after you, try the following:

• Get out of the way. Let the aggressive driver pass.

• Dont make matters worse by triggering a confrontation. Avoid eye contact and steer clear, give angry drivers plenty of room.

• Treat the situation in a similar way as seeing a drunk, crazy person on the street; stay clear and let them pass.

• Don't challenge a road rager by racing or revving you engine.

• Whatever you do, don't get out of your car.

• Call the police if the situation looks dangerous.

• Don't make eye contact or escalate the situation by provoking the aggressive driver.

• Drive to a safe location such as a police station.