We’ve all been there, stuck in Atlanta traffic on Friday afternoon. All you want to do is get home. Instead, you have a driver in front of you slamming on their brakes, weaving in and out of traffic, and basically being a jerk. It would be easy to respond, but that is the last thing you should do. Don’t respond to aggressive drivers in Atlanta.
What Is Aggressive Driving?
In 2019, GasBuddy examined the top 30 metropolitan areas in the US for the most aggressive drivers – Atlanta ranked #4. An aggressive driver deliberately commits a combination of unsafe behaviors with ill intention to other drivers or property.
Aggressive driving can include:
- Tailgating
- Speeding up so another car cannot pass
- Cutting in front of another driver and purposefully slowing down
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Rude gestures and honking the horn
- Use headlights or brakes to ‘punish’ another driver
- Speeding in heavy traffic
- Getting out of the car and confronting another driver
- Deliberately bumping or ramming another car
In Georgia, aggressive driving and road rage is considered a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. The fine can be as high as $5,000 and 12 months in jail if convicted.
What Causes Aggressive Driving?
Frustrated drivers can get agitated and quickly become aggressive drivers. Did you know that Friday is the most aggressive driving day and Wednesday is the least? What can you do to avoid being that angry person?
Most people don’t get in their car with the intent of causing havoc and anger; it quickly grows and gets out of hand. But there are tips to avoid becoming angry while driving:
- Give yourself extra time. When you’re late and in a hurry, you can easily become agitated at other drivers, numerous stoplights and just about anything else.
- Don’t reciprocate. Even when a person intentionally cuts you off, take a deep breath and let it go.
- Recognize your emotions. If you are becoming angrier and angrier, take a couple of deep breaths and try to calm down. Realize your anger before it gets the better of you.
- If you’re already upset, don’t get behind the wheel. Take some time to calm down before you put yourself or anyone else in danger.
Not being the aggressive driver is the first step. But what happens when you have to deal with someone displaying road rage?
How to Deal with an Aggressive Driver in Atlanta?
While you want to avoid them, you probably have already encountered aggressive drivers. What is the best way to deal with someone behaving badly behind the wheel? Here are some tips:
- Don’t reciprocate – This is the first rule concerning aggressive drivers. They usually are in a hurry or angry and don’t know you personally. Ignore the temptation to wave rude hand gestures back at them.
- Don’t try to outrun them – speeding and trying to outrun an aggressive driver only puts you and other people in danger.
- Move out of their way – it may feel like giving in, but moving away from a driver who is speeding and weaving in and out of traffic keeps you safe. Your safety is more important than their anger.
- Don’t stop – Do not stop and have a face-to-face confrontation with an angry driver. Nothing good will ever come about from this.
Aggressive drivers feel that road rage is acceptable because they will probably never see the other person again. Anonymity is their safety. It is best to steer clear of them and safely arrive home or at your destination.
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