Road rage - and how to deal with it

One moment you're making your way through traffic. The next, another driver is tailgating, shouting, hooting or trying to force their way past you.

Road rage can escalate quickly, which is why the safest response is usually not to prove who was right. It's to create distance, avoid confrontation and get yourself and your passengers somewhere safe.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) describes aggressive driving as deliberately unsafe driving behaviour carried out with disregard for safety. In extreme cases, it can escalate into road rage involving an intention to cause physical harm.

Here's what South African drivers should know about recognising road rage, responding safely and what to do if an incident leads to vehicle damage or a car insurance claim.

Road rage is extreme anger or aggression directed at another road user.

It can begin with something that seems relatively minor, such as somebody cutting into your lane, driving slowly or sounding their horn. But when frustration turns into threatening or dangerous behaviour, the situation can become much more serious.

Aggressive driving can include behaviours such as:

• tailgating
• deliberately blocking another vehicle
• unsafe lane changes
• excessive hooting
• threatening gestures
• attempting to intimidate another driver
• deliberately pursuing another vehicle.

Not every impatient driver is experiencing road rage, but recognising escalating behaviour early gives you more time to remove yourself from the situation.

The most important thing is to avoid escalating the confrontation.

SAPS recommends remaining courteous, avoiding conflict and moving out of the way rather than responding to an aggressive driver.

1. Create space

Leave enough room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, particularly when traffic is stationary.

That gives you somewhere to move if you need to get away from an aggressive driver.

2. Don't retaliate

It can be tempting to hoot back, make a gesture or prevent the other driver from passing.

Don't.

Trying to teach an aggressive driver a lesson may make an already tense situation worse.

You don't know how the other person will react, so getting home safely matters more than proving that you had right of way.

3. Keep your doors locked and stay inside

If another driver gets out of their vehicle and approaches you aggressively, remaining inside your locked vehicle can provide an important physical barrier.

SAPS specifically advises motorists dealing with aggressive drivers to keep their vehicle doors locked.

Avoid getting out to argue.

4. Avoid prolonged eye contact or gestures

Eye contact, shouting or gestures can sometimes be interpreted as a challenge.

Keep your attention on getting away safely rather than responding to the other driver.

5. Let the driver pass

If it's safe to do so, create space and allow an aggressive driver to move away from you.

Being technically right is not worth allowing the situation to become more dangerous.

If you believe another driver is deliberately following you, don't drive straight home.

Instead, continue towards a safe, populated location or the nearest police station.

SAPS advises motorists who are confronted by aggressive drivers to contact the police or drive to a police station.

Where possible:

• keep your doors locked
• keep your windows closed
• avoid stopping somewhere isolated
• don't get out to confront the other driver
• contact SAPS if you believe you are in danger.

The SAPS emergency number is 10111.

Road rage doesn't always start with somebody else.

Traffic, running late, tiredness and frustration can change the way we react behind the wheel.

SANRAL's discussion of road aggression highlights the importance of recognising personal triggers before they turn into dangerous behaviour.

If you notice yourself becoming angry:

• create more space between you and other vehicles
• stop treating the journey like a competition
• avoid retaliating when another driver makes a mistake
• allow extra travel time where possible
• pull over somewhere safe if you need time to calm down.

You cannot control another driver's behaviour, but you can control whether you add to the confrontation.

If a road-rage incident results in a collision, switch your focus from the argument to safety and the accident process.

If it is safe to do so:

1. Move yourself out of immediate danger.
2. Check whether anybody needs emergency assistance.
3. Avoid continuing an argument with the other driver.
4. Record relevant information about the vehicles and incident when it is safe.
5. Report the incident to the appropriate authorities where required.
6. Contact your insurer and follow the claims process.

MiWay has a more detailed step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident that can help motorists understand what comes next.

This is where road safety and car insurance intersect.

If your vehicle is damaged during an incident involving another road user, whether and how the damage is covered depends on the circumstances and the terms and conditions of your policy.

There is also an important distinction between being caught up in an incident and deliberately causing damage yourself.

Insurance shouldn't be treated as permission to retaliate. Deliberate or unlawful conduct can raise very different coverage questions from an ordinary accidental collision.

If road rage results in damage to your vehicle, provide your insurer with accurate information about what happened and follow the required claims procedure.

If you're unsure about your cover, review your policy wording or contact your insurer rather than assuming an incident will automatically be covered.

Defensive driving can help prevent frustration from becoming confrontation.

Try to:

• leave enough following distance
• signal before changing lanes
• avoid tailgating
• allow other drivers to merge where possible
• use your horn only when necessary
• give yourself enough travelling time
• accept that other motorists will sometimes make mistakes
• avoid driving when you're already highly frustrated.

SAPS puts the principle simply: motorists cannot control the traffic, but they can control their reaction to it.

If another driver becomes aggressive:

• Stay calm
• Don't retaliate
• Create distance
• Keep your doors locked
• Stay inside the vehicle if confronted
• Let the aggressive driver pass where safe
• Don't drive home if you're being followed
• Head towards a police station or other safe location
• Call SAPS if you believe you're in danger
• Follow the proper accident and insurance process if damage occurs

The objective isn't to win the argument.

It's to get everyone in your vehicle home safely.

A stressful moment on the road doesn't have to become a dangerous confrontation.

Give other drivers space, don't retaliate and put safety ahead of being right.

And because not every incident on the road can be avoided, it also helps to understand the protection available to you.

Learn more about Miway car insurance or get a car insurance quote to find cover that suits the way you drive.