You’re not an aggressive driver, but you may encounter one on the road. Maybe you’re simply driving to work when someone starts tailgating you, flashing their lights, and weaving all over the road as they look for a way to pass. They clearly are unhappy with the way you’re driving, and they’re being very aggressive about it, perhaps even honking the horn and making some rather explicit hand gestures.
It’s all very unsettling, and you realize that it increases your risks on the road significantly. That person could cause an accident and injure both of you. So what should you do?
Do not respond and do not engage
You may be tempted to respond in some way, but you’re far better off ignoring the driver and keeping from escalating the situation. Even though you know that they’re in the wrong, escalating things could cause a serious crash.
It may even be best not to make eye contact. Simply continue to drive safely. Don’t let them goad you into a confrontation. Do not compromise your own values of driving safely and responsibly.
If that’s not enough, you may want to let the other driver pass when you have a chance to do so. Many people avoid this because they feel like they shouldn’t have to move just because someone else is impatient. And that’s true: You shouldn’t have to let them pass. But you want to weigh the pros and cons. If letting them go by is the easiest way to avoid getting hurt in an accident, it may be worth doing, regardless of your legal obligations.
When you get injured in an accident caused by an aggressive driver, then you need to know if you can seek compensation.